News Archive

Style’s RIBA approved CPD courses on the topics of “Multi-functional space” and “Fully automated vertically rising acoustic partition systems” have been receiving excellent feedback. The two 35-40 minute courses cover a broad range of areas; the first focusing on the creation of multi-functional space including design, structure, acoustic performance, finishes, health & safety and maintenance, and the second course purely about Skyfold – the only fully automatic, vertically rising acoustic moveable wall in the UK market, housed in the ceiling cavity.

First and foremost, we’d like to wish you a very happy Christmas and New Year. 2011 has seen unprecedented success at Style, winning the prestigious AIS Gold Contractors award for the 4th year in succession and being accredited to UKAS standards for ISO 9001:2008 Quality Management Systems..

At Style, we were so proud of our recent Skyfold installation at Melton Borough Council that we filmed it in action. The short video clip shows the wall lowering smoothly from the ceiling cavity to the floor, demonstrating the significant benefits that this product offers. To view the clip visit http://www.youtube.com/user/stylepartitions

Incorporating moveable partitioning walls into a well thought out design makes a significant impact on energy costs by effectively reducing areas being heated unnecessarily. As well as offering flexible space by sub-dividing rooms, many organisations, particularly educational and public sector bodies seeking sustainable solutions and reduced costs, are seeing the benefits of reduced heating bills by installing an operable wall which results in not having to heat large halls and conference areas when not in full use; all of which has an impact on both the public purse and the environment.

Stuart Hubball has joined Style as Sales Manager for the Midlands, further expanding the team as the business continues to enjoy record growth. Well-known to architects, specifiers, contractors and end-user clients in the moveable partitioning walls arena, Stuart has worked in this sector for more than a decade and brings a wealth of experience. “We’re delighted that Stuart has agreed to join us,” said Mike Fine, Style’s Director for the Midlands, “and he is a terrific addition to our very high quality team.

DORMA’s Moveo and Variflex moveable partitioning wall systems continue to be first choice with many architects, specifiers and contractors as Style sees the number of specifications continue to grow in 2011. According to David Louden, Style’s Director for Scotland, both products offer such flexibility, simplicity of operation and aesthetic appeal that some architects look no further when seeking space re-configuration. “The popularity of these products is phenomenal,” said David, “because thanks to their diverse range of applications, we are being specified in market sectors spanning education, corporate, hospitality and leisure, religious, healthcare and so many more.

The Evelyn Grace Academy in Brixton has won the prestigious RIBA Stirling Prize for the best new European building, built or designed in the United Kingdom. This is the second year running that Zaha Hadid Architects has won the RIBA Stirling Prize and Style is delighted to have been involved in this prestigious development. “We were particularly proud of the part we played in this exciting project,” said Julian Sargent, Style’s Group Managing Director. “Our role was to provide a number of moveable partitioning wall solutions that gave the academy a huge amount of flexibility so that they could reconfigure space with ease, and we were delighted to be chosen as the most suitable provider for such a cutting edge development.”

Demand for moveable partitioning walls in schools, colleges and universities has risen steeply in 2011, with Style seeing a marked increase in the number of installations. According to Julian Sargent, Style’s Group Managing Director, this is not just down to an increase in overall demand. It is also through heightened awareness by architects, specifiers, contractors and educational establishments of Style’s track record of providing outstanding, innovative and cost-effective solutions in this market.

For educational establishments looking to sub-divide rooms, without losing any floor space, Skyfold is unrivalled. As a vertically stacking, fully automatic partitioning wall, Skyfold is housed in the ceiling cavity which means rooms can be used to their full capacity when the wall is retracted, but can be segregated in minutes.

Style has grown its portfolio of products with the introduction of the Cornell range of side folding grilles and TranZform accordion. The side folding grilles have proven to be incredibly popular with retailers as they act to secure off a shop front outside the glass or across entrance areas, whilst allowing passersby to still see the products inside. Demand has also been high in offices, hospitals and lobbies.

Expectations are rising in the moveable partitioning walls sector. Not just in terms of ease of use, acoustics and overall application but in terms of how operable walls complement a room’s interior design. According to Keith Way, Style’s Director for the South East, demand has never been higher for creating visually appealing solutions which blend in seamlessly, or add a new dimension, to a room’s appeal.

Style has been enjoying record levels of business over the last year, and according to Tony Enticknap, Group Finance Director, this is largely down to the significant investment placed into quality initiatives. “In the last quarter, we’ve been accredited by Bureau Veritas to a UKAS standard for ISO 9001

Style has launched a new RIBA approved CPD course on the topic of “Multi-functional space.” This adds to the already successful CPD seminar that the company offers on “Fully automated vertically rising acoustic partition systems”, which has been extremely popular since first introduced 3 years ago. The latest 35-40 minute course covers a broad range of areas regarding the creation of multi-functional space including design, structure, acoustic performance, finishes, health & safety and maintenance and is available nationally across the UK.

Style has been enjoying record levels of business over the last year, and according to Tony Enticknap, Group Finance Director, this is largely down to the significant investment placed into quality initiatives. “In the last quarter, we’ve been accredited by Bureau Veritas to a UKAS standard for ISO 9001:2008 Quality Management Systems, ISO 14001:2004 Environmental Management System and BS OHSAS 18001:2007 Occupational Health & Safety Management System,” said Tony

Style Scotland has been appointed to supply and install DORMA Variflex movable wall systems at the National Indoor Sports Arena and Sir Chris Hoy Velodrome, being built for the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games. Following an extensive tender process, the contract was won by Style who will create flexible space within the building using the extremely popular DORMA Variflex product. “We’re delighted to have won this prestigious contract for what is going to be an incredible arena,” said David Louden, Director for Style Scotland.

Style has won the coveted AIS (Association of Interior Specialists) Contractors Gold Award for an incredible 4th year running after judges considered the installation at the ExCel Exhibition centre to be best in class. The folding wall at ExCel is believed to be the largest in Europe and tops a month during which The Style Group also achieved IMS accreditation. “We’re delighted to have won this prestigious award once again,” said Tony Enticknap, Style’s Group Financial Director.

Style has achieved certification of the three ‘gold standards’ demanded by many major contractors and clients as part of an Integrated Management System (IMS). As a result, The Style Group now holds accreditations for ISO 9001:2008 Quality Management Systems, ISO 14001:2004 Environmental Management System and BS OHSAS 18001:2007 Occupational Health & Safety Management System.

Style has passed its Achilles audit, further reinforcing the company’s commitment to quality and excellence. Achilles, the global supplier management and information provider, audits and assesses supplier capability, competence and compliance within agreed industry parameters based upon best practice. “We’re delighted to have received this accreditation,” said Julian Sargent, Style’s Group Managing Director, “because it underpins our commitment to excellence in our products, people and processes.

A new set of videos demonstrating Style’s product range is now available at Style's Website and also on You Tube (Simply search for Style Partitions to view them). Featuring"DORMA Moveo and Comfortdrive as well as 7 Skyfold videos, these online demonstrations offer an excellent facility to view the aesthetics, ease of operation and overall appeal of Style’s movable partitioning and vertically stacking walls.

Efrem Brynin, Style’s Skyfold Product Manager laced up his running shoes last weekend to run his first ever marathon on behalf of the Teenage Cancer Trust. The charity exists to improve the quality of life and chances of survival for young people with cancer, and Efrem ran in the Brighton Marathon to raise money for this important cause.

For most major firms, their offices are a vital extension of their brand. The experience created for visitors and clients is an essential aspect of their whole proposition, and for major global organisations, in the most prestigious venues, there has to be a perfect blend of flexibility, comfort, functionality, acoustics and design.

In the moveable partitioning walls sector, demand is growing for far more choice in the quality of the ‘finish’. And with an extensive product range spanning DORMA, SWG and Skyfold, Style excels in this area offering a wide range of colours, textures and finishes that create an outstanding end result across a multitude of market sectors. “There is no doubt that expectations are rising all the time,” said Mike Fine, Style’s Director for the Midlands.

Production capacity is essential when deadlines are tight and materials need to be on site, on time and in perfect condition. Which is why, as sole UK distributors for DORMA, Style’s clients benefit from the vast capability of DORMA’s European manufacturing plant which produces 1000 metres of moveable wall panels per week, and up to 150,000 globally per annum.

Style is committed to offering the very highest quality of advice regarding acoustic performance, as well as only supplying market leading products. As part of this we have launched a new “Acoustics Check List” – a simple ‘ready reckoner’ that will help ensure you select the right product to meet your acoustic requirements. “Acoustics is such an important issue to most companies looking for a partitioning wall,” said Julian Sargent, Style’s Group Managing Director.

If you’ve never seen Skyfold’s vertical folding wall in action the latest video is well worth watching. Because this product never fails to deliver the ‘wow factor’! As a ceiling mounted, fully automatic partitioning wall operated by a simple turnkey the specification of Skyfold has soared in recent years as it offers such a simple and stylish solution to sub dividing rooms. And because it is housed in the ceiling, it maximises space efficiency.

A ‘keen eye’ is as important as a ‘good ear’ when checking the acoustic performance of a moveable / partitioning wall. Because until it is in situ, the only way you can determine the validity of a product’s stated acoustic performance is to know how to check the documentation. According to Style, there is a great deal of misunderstanding in the operable walls sector regarding acoustic ratings and certificates, resulting in many clients not appreciating what checks they should make, or questions they should ask, before they buy.

DORMA’s new brochures have been launched – and as ever they reflect the growth and quality of its product range, now incorporating the Moveo Glass, as well as updates to its Classic finish selection. To view and download the brochures, click on the Brochures link in the Moveable Walls section of our web site. “As sole UK suppliers for DORMA, Style benefits from their continued determination, innovation and commitment to quality,” said Keith Way, Style’s Director for the South East. “Not only are the products unquestionably market leading, they also offer variety, style and exceptional ease of operation."

DORMA Variflex, the semi-automatic (and manual) folding wall, is being specified by Style in an increasing number of office conference rooms and boardrooms due to its flush telescopic panel. As a unique feature in the movable walls sector, the Variflex expandable telescopic section sits completely flush against the adjacent panels once the wall is in position, which has exceptional benefits in terms of aesthetics and space flexibility. “The telescopic section on the DORMA Variflex product is a really outstanding feature,” explained Julian Sargent, Style’s Group Managing Director, “whether used on a manually operated or semi automatic wall.

Skyfold has launched two brand new Vertically Stacking Acoustic Partitions that drastically cut sound transmission and dampen reverberation. This quantum leap in acoustic performance of the new Skyfold Classic Elite, Rw 56dB, and absorption of Skyfold Classic NR, NRC 0.65, will undoubtedly grab the attention of schools, hotels, offices and convention centres.

When it comes to creating flexible space, every requirement is different. Which is why, at Style, we’ve worked tirelessly over the years to develop the most extensive product portfolio of movable walls so that we can always deliver the right solution. With a range that includes traditional horizontal folding partition walls, sliding glass walls, vertical rising/ceiling mounted, folding room dividers, manual, semi-automatic and fully automatic walls, as well as a vast range of fittings and finishes, we have built up a reputation for being able to offer best advice without being restricted by product range.

The acoustic consultants commented that this installation by Style was the best they’d tested. So how did Style achieve a site tested acoustic performance that was so unexpected? Because this was a monumental improvement on previous field tests on the same site using other manufacturers’ products.

At Style, we believe there are two ways of looking at health and safety. You can either view it as something that must be complied with. Or, you can use it pro-actively within your business culture to create strong client relationships, higher standards and better overall quality. Our philosophy has always been the latter. By going the extra mile and setting the health and safety bar high, we see huge benefits for our clients, our suppliers, and our own people.

Acoustic performance is not only a key measure, it is also one of the most hotly discussed topics in the moveable walls sector; mainly due to the potential variances that affect an R’ rating (R ‘apostrophe’ being the in situ rating) compared to a product’s lab tested R rating. The harsh reality is that a final installation will rarely replicate the conditions of a lab test, because in a controlled environment there is one test product and no flanking.

DORMA's new, innovative SmartTrack 14 Moveable Wall has been installed in the UK at Carmel College, St. Helen's. The installation was completed by Style after the team identified the new partitioning wall system as being perfect for the College Lecture Theatre.

All businesses seek to achieve high levels of customer satisfaction. But at Style, excellence is an inherent part of our culture, and our strive for perfection is now being fully felt. After winning our 3rd consecutive AIS Gold Award, we've also been recognised for a 'Perfect Delivery' by Morgan Sindall.

It has always been our commitment at Style to work to the very highest standards of health and safety, and we see it as an important aspect of our overall approach to business. Our philosophy is that health and safety should not be seen as a compliancy issue, but a positive aspect of delivering a highly professional service.

As sole UK distributors for DORMA Hüppe, Style combines the very best acoustic expertise and advice with market leading products. DORMA Hüppe's Moveo® being an excellent example as it incorporates ComforTronic® automatic seals as standard which are designed to maximise acoustic integrity, providing sound reduction up to Rw 55dB to the latest European standards.

The specification of semi-automatic partitions is soaring as the benefits of flexibility, ease of use, reliability and the quality of finish increase. In 2009, Style saw an incredible 75% rise in semi-automatic installations and 2010 is on track for that to grow even further with another huge leap in the number of specifications.

Style has launched an online newsletter, designed to offer vital information and articles regarding innovations, installations, products, certification and design advancements in the field of moveable partition walls. As sole UK distributors for DORMA Huppe, Skyfold and SWG, Style is well-known with architects and specifiers for its outstanding products, highly skilled installation and close personal service.

The Style Movable Partitions Specialist Network is pleased to announce that they have agreed a strategic partnership with Dorma allowing sole rights to distribute their full range of acoustic movable wall products throughout the UK.