Tag: April Fools Video

Sapphire lifts off with new lightweight Balloon system

Posted on by Sajjad B

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April Fools!

As you might have imagined, attaching a balcony to a hot air balloon is a little far-fetched. But there’s a grain or two of truth in what we’ve shown off.

Balconies as light as air

Our Next Generation balcony system is designed to be as lightweight as possible in order to reduce the carbon footprint of our product. So, whilst it might not be light enough to be carried by hot air alone, there are numerous benefits to using a lightweight material like aluminium.

We’ve reduced the amount of material in our balconies compared to our standard Glide-On Cassette®, meaning the amount of embodied carbon is reduced as a result. Furthermore, thanks to the lighter-weight Cassette® of the Next Generation Balcony, we’re able to transport more balconies to the site in a single journey, further reducing the embodied carbon footprint of your project.

As an extra benefit, the light weight of the Next Generation Balcony Cassette® means that we’ve further reduced the weight on your building’s structure. This means fewer penetrations in the building façade, less risk of thermal bridging and a more energy-efficient building for both you and your end-users.[/sapphire_textBlock][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row width=”70″ background_image=”” order=”Image left / content right” image=”13193″ heading=”Discover Sapphire’s Next Generation Balcony” button_text=”Discover” button_link=”url:http%3A%2F%2Flocalhost%2Fbalconies%2Four-product%2Fthe-next-generation-balcony%2F|title:The%20Next%20Generation%20Balcony”][vc_column][sapphire_contentLink order=”Image left / content right” image=”13193″ heading=”Discover Sapphire’s Next Generation Balcony” button_text=”Discover” button_link=”url:http%3A%2F%2Flocalhost%2Fbalconies%2Four-product%2Fthe-next-generation-balcony%2F|title:The%20Next%20Generation%20Balcony”]The Next Generation Balcony is a huge step forward for the construction market[/sapphire_contentLink][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row width=”70″ background_image=””][vc_column][sapphire_textBlock]

Huntley Wharf, Reading

You might have spotted a nod to Huntley Wharf in the Balloon video, a Berkeley development we’re incredibly pleased to have been a part of. Using our Next Generation balcony suite, we were able to help developers Berkeley Group and architects PRP Architects streamline by innovation and bring this site in our headquarter town of Reading to life.

The collaboration focused on integrating the balconies seamlessly with the building facade, by manufacturing offsite brick columns for corner balconies, inset balconies and balconies with brick slip fascias.

One of the project’s major constraints was the proximity of one of the tower crane locations to a stack of balconies. Sapphire’s site support team devised an inventive solution, proposing the use of a compact spider crane to install the balconies from below.

Through early and proactive engagement with project stakeholders, we ensured that the balconies contributed meaningfully to the architectural narrative, enhancing the living experience and honouring the site’s rich heritage.[/sapphire_textBlock][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row width=”70″ background_image=””][vc_column][sapphire_contentLink order=”Image left / content right” image=”15915″ heading=”Huntley Wharf – Case Study” button_text=”Read more” button_link=”url:http%3A%2F%2Flocalhost%2Fbalconies%2Fcase-studies%2Fhuntley-wharf-reading%2F|title:Huntley%20Wharf%2C%20Reading”]See how innovation brought Huntley Wharf to life.[/sapphire_contentLink][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row width=”70″ background_image=””][vc_column][sapphire_textBlock]

Until next year…

Did we fool you? Or are you just eager to hear more about a lightweight balcony system for your next development?

Either way, get in touch with us to book a free design meeting, learn more via one of our expert CPDs or even just to say hello![/sapphire_textBlock][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row width=”70″ background_image=”” el_id=”” el_class=”” css=””][vc_column][vc_raw_html css=””]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[/vc_raw_html][/vc_column][/vc_row]

A Balcony Fit for a Palace

Posted on by Sajjad B

[vc_row width=”70″ background_image=””][vc_column][sapphire_textBlock]London’s most famous palace balcony is set to get a 21st Century makeover thanks to CABS and our latest balcony advancement –Generation II Advance Graphic System. G.A.G.S. is an ingenious graphic screen that allows every balcony to be truly unique.

Developed by Sapphire’s chief designer April Asinus G.A.G.S. is the next step in the development of our CABS design technology. The system allows a super high 16k definition screen to be installed onto the balustrade of either new or existing balconies. The system dramatically changes the aesthetic by displaying high resolution graphics which can be changed at the touch of a button.

Images can be changed quickly and easily using Sapphire’s intuitive app. Simply upload your image, or choose one of the pre-loaded options, follow the on-screen instructions and the look and feel of your balcony can be changed in under a minute.

Balcony decking can also get a similar makeover with the introduction of a specialist HD coating that allows the appearance of the decking to be manipulated.

The palace’s new G.A.G.S. makeover is expected to be ready in plenty of time for the next public appearance, where we might see an update to the red velvet swag traditionally used at such events.

Read more about this ingenious new technological development which is set to take balconies to new heights here.[/sapphire_textBlock][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row width=”70″ background_image=””][vc_column css=”.vc_custom_1594300923020{padding-top: 0px !important;padding-right: 0px !important;padding-bottom: 0px !important;padding-left: 0px !important;}”][sapphire_contentLink order=”Content left / image right” image=”6696″ heading=”Watch our CABS video” button_text=”Watch” button_link=”url:http%3A%2F%2Flocalhost%2Fbalconies%2Fconfigure%2F|||”][/sapphire_contentLink][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row width=”70″ background_image=””][vc_column css=”.vc_custom_1594300923020{padding-top: 0px !important;padding-right: 0px !important;padding-bottom: 0px !important;padding-left: 0px !important;}”][sapphire_contentLink order=”Image left / content right” image=”3760″ heading=”Balcony design made simple” button_text=”Find out more” button_link=”url:http%3A%2F%2Flocalhost%2Fbalconies%2Fconfigure%2F|||”][/sapphire_contentLink][/vc_column][/vc_row]

Behind the scenes of our 3D printed balcony April Fool video

Posted on by Sajjad B

Sapphire balconies are always innovating. As shown in the recent April Fools day 3D Printing Video which was in fact a bit of fun for that light hearted day of the year. Sorry if you felt misled by this – but don’t worry as you weren’t the only one.

Let’s go behind the scenes to show you how we created such an authentic looking video. There are however some clues and some truths in the video, both of which we’ll point out to you!

You can see an operator appears to be working on some neat 3D print software. If you look more closely however, it is in fact an image slideshow being clicked through. On the next scene you may have noticed that the 3D Printing progress bar doesn’t actually move. Also the time remaining happens to be 01 04 18 or coincidentally matches the date, 1st, April 2018!

Taking a closer look at the 3D printhead, it is in fact a scale replica we had made of a real life 3D printhead, just scaled up to be the right scale when alongside an actual balcony frame. The replica was then simply connected to Sapphire’s test rig with a rope to move the head around, out of sight from the camera.

The decking scene was in fact filmed at Hex, one of our suppliers who operate large format 2D printers. They printed a 2D deck board vinyl which we filmed. We then shot a separate scene of lifting out a real deck plank from the printer, so as to craftily give the illusion of another 3D Printer!
Our last major clue was the legal protection notice of “Polyaprilfoolisium” which is obviously a completely fictitious material.

Hidden Truths:
Like last year there are some genuine parts:

  1. There really is a skilled construction labour shortage in the UK. Those headlines are genuine 2018 news
  2. Sapphire’s Patented Glide-On balconies do address the skills shortage by enabling rapid install. To date, Sapphire has installed a record breaking 34 balconies in just over 6 hours.
  3. Sapphire lead the industry through clever innovation and the test rig and high-tech equipment featured in scenes of this video are all part of Sapphire’s substantial R&D investment.

So there you have it, whilst 3D printed balconies and Polyaprilfoolisisium aren’t yet available, be assured that the innovative balconies Sapphire supply can benefit your next project.