Pro Installer March 2017 - Issue 48 | Page 6

News
6 | MARCH 2017

News

Read online at www . proinstaller . co . uk

AND THE WINNERS ARE …

It was full-on glitz at the luxurious Vale Resort in the Vale of Glamorgan as more than 200 people gathered to salute the industry ’ s finest at the Atlas Installation of the Year awards .
Guests were treated to a champagne reception and lavish three-course dinner before the awards , which were hosted by rugby union coach and sports broadcaster Sean Holley .
The panel of judges , which included the editors of Glass Times , Glass and Glazing Products and Windows Active , sifted through the winners of the Atlas Installation of the Month competition from 2016 to make a shortlist of just three finalists . Winners were announced at the ceremony .
QKS Home Improvements was in first place for an extraordinary double Atlas lantern installation on a period property in Stamford , Lincolnshire . In second place was Farnborough-based Sherborne for a breathtaking orangery installation on a re-modelled ‘ New England ’ style home . In third place was Cheshire-based Bifolding Door Company for a stylish Atlas Flat Rooflight installation on a property in Chester .
Kim Eyres , owner of Mendip Conservatories , also picked up a special gong - the Innovation Award - for a Skyroom installation with an inventive twist .
The clever , yet sympathetic , design of an orangery with twin lanterns made the installation by QKS Home Improvements the judges ’ overall favourite . The judging panel was blown away with the design , which incorporated lots of glazing and not one , but two , lanterns to seamlessly blend the interior and the exterior . The new orangery features two 3.7 x 2.5 metre Atlas lanterns , which were carefully positioned to take advantage of the southerly aspect and draw light into
The Atlas team . From left to right – Kevin Pearce , Mark Watson , Steve Roberts , Jess Bailey , John Jones , Claire Miller , Jeff Cowley , Gareth Thomas
Karen Jackson and Ashley Woodman of QKS with the QKS team
the ground floor . Built with locally sourced limestone , it blends perfectly with the rest of the property . The orangery , which leads off two rooms , has created an impressive entertaining space and has totally transformed the flow of the house .
Ashley Woodman , director of QKS Home Improvements , said : “ The standard of entries this year was extremely high and we were surprised , and delighted , to win . This project was absolutely stunning and this award honours the design and installation skill of the whole team that were involved in it . We have planned a fantastic year ahead and this award is a terrific start for us .”
Sherborne scooped second place for a stunning orangery installation in Hampshire . The judges were impressed with the inventive design and installation of the orangery , which incorporated a grey Atlas lantern , bi-folding doors and feature glass balcony . The Atlas roof met the contemporary vision of the property without compromising on the energy efficiency of the spacious new extension .
Chris Long , managing director at Sherborne , said : “ This is a really beautiful

This one-off orangery style extension was the judges ’ pick because it emphasised the versatility of the Skyroom and the bold architectural vision of Kim and his team

project and we just had to enter it in to the Installation of the Month competition . It was fantastic for me and the team to collect the award .”
In third place was the Bifolding Door Company for its installation of a large Atlas Flat Rooflight which is the focal point in a contemporary extension on a Victorian property . The judges were wowed with the clever design of the roof which incorporated a 1240mm x 1200mm Flat Rooflight to bathe the new kitchen extension with light from above . With its ultra-slim profile , the Flat Rooflight matches the aluminium windows and bi-folding doors , also installed by the Bifolding Door Company . The rooflight was perfect for the industrial style extension which features an exposed brick wall and polished concrete floor .
Mark Cosgrove , managing director of the Bifolding Door Company , said : “ Every product in this urban installation was very carefully considered and the Atlas Flat Rooflight – the largest we have fitted so far – was the perfect centerpiece for it . Getting in to the top three winners was an incredibly proud moment for us .”
Kim Eyres , owner of Mendip Conservatories , walked away with the special Atlas Innovation award for an ingenious Skyroom installation in Wells , Somerset . Kim displayed terrific design flair when creating a bespoke Skyroom with a lean-to Atlas roof . This one-off orangery style extension was the judges ’ pick because it emphasised the versatility of the Skyroom and the bold architectural vision of Kim and his team .
The evening rounded off with entertainment and a charity auction which raised £ 2,850 for the Spring Centre . The centre provides support to the families of children with disabilities and special needs across Gloucestershire .
www . atlasroofsolutions . co . uk / installation / installation-of-the-yearwinners