Holcim: Revolutionizing Roofing with Sustainable Solutions

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  1. Holcim’s Roofing Expertise: A Commitment to Sustainability

1.1 Pioneering Building Materials for Sustainable Construction

Holcim stands as a beacon of innovation and sustainability in the realm of roofing solutions. With a steadfast commitment to delivering cutting-edge and eco-friendly building materials, Holcim plays a pivotal role in fostering sustainable construction practices. Recognizing the crucial impact of roofing on building sustainability and energy efficiency, Holcim extends comprehensive support across the entire spectrum of construction, offering advanced products and solutions geared towards maximizing efficiency while minimizing costs.

  1. Residential Roofing Solutions: Malarkey Roofing Products

2.1 Sustainably Crafted High-Performance Roofing Shingles

Within its expansive portfolio, Holcim showcases Malarkey Roofing Products, a brand synonymous with sustainable and high-performance residential roofing solutions. Malarkey Roofing Products specializes in crafting roofing shingles designed for longevity, ensuring a reduced environmental footprint. From roofing shingles to ice and water barriers, Malarkey Roofing Products delivers a comprehensive suite of offerings, presenting energy-efficient solutions tailored for high-performance, cost-efficiency, and sustainable housing.

  1. Commercial Roofing Solutions: Elevate

3.1 Leading the Way with Sustainable Roofing Systems

Holcim’s brand portfolio includes Elevate, a trailblazing company at the forefront of sustainable roofing systems. Elevate products spearhead advancements in energy efficiency within urban landscapes through a diverse range of cool and green roof systems. The integration of green and cool roofs becomes a crucial strategy in mitigating the heat island effect prevalent in vast urban centers, where greenery has been overshadowed by concrete expanses.

  1. Innovative Products for Every Need: Holcim’s Offerings

4.1 Tailored Solutions for Systems, Buildings, and Budgets

Holcim ensures a comprehensive range of solutions for diverse roofing needs, accommodating various systems, building types, and budget constraints. Among its innovative products are RubberGard EPDM, UltraPly™ TPO SA featuring SecureBond™ technology, and Gaco waterproofing solutions. These offerings exemplify Holcim’s dedication to providing roofing solutions that are not only cutting-edge but also align with the principles of sustainability and efficiency.

In conclusion, Holcim’s roofing solutions epitomize a harmonious blend of innovation, sustainability, and efficiency, setting a new standard for the construction industry’s approach to roofing materials and practices.

Rethinking Workspaces: Crossboundaries’ Transformable Workplace

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As the COVID-19 pandemic reshaped the way we perceive work and life, Crossboundaries envisioned a transformative workspace that adapts to evolving needs. With surveys suggesting a shift towards hybrid work models, the design aimed to create a dynamic environment that fosters synergy between environmental, social, and cultural dimensions.

Evolving Challenges and Opportunities

Traditional office design considerations have expanded to encompass intangible aspects like office culture and organizational beliefs. The need for spaces that blend professionalism with a sense of home has become paramount. Additionally, there’s a growing preference for green environments that promote well-being and vitality, reflecting a broader concern for health and sustainability.

A New Typology for Resilience

Crossboundaries embarked on designing a flexible workspace that could accommodate diverse scenarios. Situated in Beijing’s Sanlitun neighborhood, the office retained its location while undergoing significant internal transformations. Despite constraints on structural modifications, the design maximized space efficiency and functionality.

Innovative Solutions Within Constraints

Facing restrictions on structural alterations, the design prioritized minimal intervention while meeting the company’s operational needs. Customized metal connections and creative spatial planning allowed for seamless integration of work and leisure zones within the existing framework.

Flexibility and Adaptability

The workspace features a functional strip housing meeting rooms, a kitchen, and storage areas, delineated by semi-transparent partitions. The main area, characterized by a lightweight curtain structure, facilitates fluidity and connectivity between workstations and multifunctional spaces. This adaptable layout enables diverse activities and communication processes to coexist simultaneously.

Integration of Corporate Identity and Nature

The office’s color palette, inspired by Crossboundaries’ corporate identity, infuses vibrancy and focus into the space. Inner vegetation islands and movable platforms integrate natural elements, enhancing the office environment. By reusing existing furniture and artworks, the design embraces sustainability and continuity.

A Community-Centric Approach

Despite the upheavals brought about by the pandemic, Crossboundaries remains committed to fostering community and social interaction. By repurposing every aspect of the former workplace, the office serves as a shared space where collaboration thrives, reflecting the company’s ethos of inclusivity and connectivity.

In summary, Crossboundaries’ Transformable Workplace embodies a forward-looking approach to office design, blending functionality with adaptability and sustainability. As work paradigms continue to evolve, this innovative workspace serves as a testament to resilience, creativity, and community engagement.

Cotí Arquitetura Office: A Garden Oasis for Creativity

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Cotí Arquitetura’s office renovation embodies the concept of a Garden-Office, blurring the boundaries between work and nature. With a modest original space of 12 m², the design aimed to integrate the office seamlessly with its surroundings.

Conceptual Foundation

Rooted in the Portuguese word “cotidiano,” meaning “everyday routine,” Cotí Arquitetura’s design philosophy celebrates the ordinary. The office’s transformation unfolded alongside a master’s degree in urban planning, intertwining spatial design with academic exploration.

Spatial Integration

Central to the renovation was the reconfiguration of openings to enhance connectivity with the garden. A fixed window replaced the original entrance, while a large sliding glass door ushered in natural light and views of the lush exterior. The 12 m² indoor area juxtaposed with a 20 m² patio fosters a Garden-Office ethos, blurring the line between interior and exterior.

Dynamic Interplay

The garden’s side wall, constructed with hollow concrete blocks, allows light and shadows to dance across the space. This deliberate choice not only adds vitality but also establishes a tangible link to the adjacent work warehouse, where construction processes unfold. The ever-changing shadows and proximity to hands-on activities evoke a sense of creativity and spontaneity.

Functional Simplicity

Internally, the layout prioritizes functionality and adaptability. Workstations double as meeting areas, while ample storage accommodates samples, references, and equipment. A light table serves as a versatile workspace for sketching and model-making, fostering a dynamic creative environment.

Material Palette

A neutral color palette dominated by concrete, gravel, white, and gray sets the stage for creativity. These materials, along with the interplay of light and shadow, define the office’s aesthetic while seamlessly integrating with the natural surroundings.

Conclusion

Cotí Arquitetura Office embodies a harmonious blend of workspace and garden oasis. By embracing the ordinary and leveraging spatial integration, the design fosters creativity, collaboration, and connection with nature. As shadows shift and ideas flow, Cotí Arquitetura’s Garden-Office serves as a testament to the transformative power of architecture.

Elevate EMEA RubberGard EPDM Revolutionizing Roofing with Sustainable Excellence

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  1. Introduction: The Rise of Single-Ply Waterproofing

1.1 Embracing Durability and Environmental Optimization

The architectural landscape is witnessing a shift towards single-ply waterproofing membranes, celebrated for their robustness and their role in enhancing energy efficiency while minimizing environmental impact. Among the pioneers in this realm is Elevate EMEA, presenting the RubberGard EPDM—a synthetic rubber single-ply waterproofing membrane designed for flat and low-slope roofs across commercial, industrial, and residential structures.

  1. Features of RubberGard EPDM

2.1 Flame-Free Installation for Enhanced Safety

Setting itself apart from conventional roofing membranes, RubberGard EPDM introduces a flame-free installation process, ensuring heightened safety in onsite working conditions. Its single-ply composition not only provides durability but also offers a lightweight roofing solution, facilitating swift and straightforward installations for both renovation and new construction projects.

  1. Benefits of RubberGard EPDM

3.1 Durable, Long-lasting Solution

RubberGard EPDM stands out for its unparalleled durability, resilience, and adaptability to the evolving needs of contemporary and future buildings. Crafted without plasticizers or flame retardants, this membrane showcases stability and consistency over time, boasting a remarkable life expectancy exceeding 50 years.

3.2 Expedited Installation with QuickSeam Tape Technology

The membrane’s availability in large seamless sheets, up to 15.25 meters wide and 61 meters long, minimizes the need for numerous field seams on expansive surfaces, thereby reducing installation time. Elevate’s innovative QuickSeam tape technology adds to the efficiency, offering a reliable field-seaming solution without necessitating intricate or expensive equipment.

3.3 Flexibility, Elongation, and Adaptability

RubberGard EPDM maintains remarkable flexibility, even in frigid temperatures as low as -45°C, facilitating year-round installations. With an elongation capacity surpassing 300%, the membrane adeptly accommodates building movements and temperature fluctuations, ensuring enduring performance.

3.4 Sustainable Excellence and Low Life-Cycle Cost

Embodying sustainability, RubberGard EPDM emerges as an inert material with minimal environmental impact. The absence of toxic substances during and after installation permits rainwater collection for domestic use. Moreover, the membrane is recyclable, contributing to sustainable practices. With low maintenance requirements, competitive installation costs, and enduring durability, RubberGard EPDM boasts a significantly low life-cycle cost.

3.5 Compatibility with Green Roofs and Photovoltaic Installations

Having successfully passed the EN 1394 test for root penetration resistance on extensive green roofs, RubberGard EPDM proves ideal for green roof applications. Its high-temperature resistance, wear and tear resilience, and extended life expectancy also make it a compatible choice for integrating with various photovoltaic installations.

  1. Properties of RubberGard EPDM

4.1 Bridging Sustainability and Innovation

Elevate EMEA RubberGard EPDM exhibits properties that transcend conventional roofing solutions. From enhancing energy efficiency and providing UV protection to securing certifications and ensuring waterproof resilience, this membrane redefines roofing materials by seamlessly merging sustainability with cutting-edge innovation.

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