Bracknell Lexicon
Awe-inspiring rainscreen cladding for new Fenwick Department Store!
People
PraterMace
Location
Bracknell, BerkshireSector
CommercialProducts
Architectural FacadesType
RefurbThe challenge
A new 580,000sq ft retail and leisure site, the Lexicon is part of a £240 million regeneration project for Bracknell town centre. Designed to transform the town into a vibrant and convenient shopping destination, with 70 popular stores and restaurants, the redevelopment is one of the biggest currently taking place in the UK.
Mace, lead contractor on the project, appointed building envelope specialist Prater to design and install the external envelope for eight retail buildings on the site.
Bailey has worked alongside Prater on numerous prestigious projects over the past 30 years, most recently on the refurbishment of London Bridge station. As a trusted partner, Prater chose Bailey once again to supply the complex rainscreen cladding element required for Block 3; the new Fenwick department store.
A jewel in the Lexicon crown, Fenwick required a standout, visually stunning solution for the building facade. To accomplish this, Bailey helped to draw up an intricate bespoke design of more than 2,200 5mm aluminium rainscreen cladding panels, cut with a striking pattern of circles that are lit from behind.
A strong trend in architectural design, these perforated panels needed to maintain their overall strength and performance as well as achieving an aesthetic impact. Using innovative manufacturing techniques and exact precision, Bailey was able to provide panels that delivered both requirements. Each rainscreen panel for the building was individually treated and then anodised to give a unique texture and a premium look. Further enhancing the crisp, modern appearance of the building, the rainscreen cladding employs a Secret-Fix System, so the panels do not require folds or visual fixings.
The solution and approach
With more than 21 different types of panel and various backing framework designs to integrate with the backlighting, it’s been essential that Bailey work closely with the on-site team to provide detailed drawings and guides for installation. Manufactured and delivered to the site to a planned schedule, the panels were expertly installed by the Prater team, demonstrating incredible levels of accuracy and speed.
A Bailey Project Manager was on call to visit the site to support the Prater team with any technical queries and provide assistance with coordinating the delivery in accordance with the agreed plan and Construction Programme. The project was handled by a dedicated team at Bailey in total collaboration with Prater – the key to success in any construction project.
The Lexicon is due to open in September 2017 and will provide a fantastic hub for the Bracknell community and Berkshire, as well as creating thousands of new jobs.
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