OFF SITE CONSTRUCTION SOLUTIONS
Brick feature arches played an important part in the architect’s vision and it was key that the elaborate brand was captured within this architecture, including rich material and textural palette, depth of concept and an innovative approach to collaborative design. To achieve this vision using traditional methods of construction would ultimately pose the biggest challenge in terms of skilled labour, time, costs and structural performance. IG Masonry Support’s Brick Slip Feature Arches proved the definitive solution to this challenge.
THE SOLUTION The complex arches achieved at
Hendricks Gin Palace highlight the design versatility of IG’s bespoke Brick Feature Arches. IG’s technical team created effective solutions for achieving the arches on the front façade as well as deep soffit arches inside the building. Five soaring corbelled brick slip feature arches with intricate bond patterns span the entrance façade of the Gin Palace foyer. The brick details at the base of each arch begin with a half lap bond, progressing to a stretcher brick bond over the top curvature of the arch, before finally returning to a half lap bond. On the reverse of each of these five arches is a replica arch that faces outwards of the building towards the walled garden, each pair of arches is separated by a large window. In total ten arches feature on the front elevation of the Gin Palace all blending seamlessly with each. Where each arch links into each other there is a concrete diamond inscribed with the Hendricks ‘H’. Two glasshouses flank the bright foyer; one is designed to house tropical plants and the other for citrus. Forming the entrance to both is a towering brick feature arch, each with a replica on the reverse side leading from the glasshouse back into the foyer. These four arches are of similar architectural design to those spanning the entrance façade. IG Masonry Support manufactured each of these 14 arches offsite in factory- controlled conditions. To ensure that the prefabricated components blended seamlessly with the brickwork onsite,
seamlessly together and the Hendricks diamond features on the face of the brickwork between each arch. In total nine prefabricated units were supplied to create these intricate feature arches. The allure of brickwork to architects will always be a constant. Now, impressive technology like IG Masonry Support’s Brick Slip Feature Arches are available on the market to create stunning prefabricated facades that are produced from traditional brick. Set to be an ongoing trend, with this type of offsite manufacturing, the ever-elusive grade-A finish is translated onsite every time, no matter the requirements of the project.
IG collected a consignment of the brick being used onsite. Each arch was manufactured as a separate unit and supplied to site with bricks bonded ready to be pointed. Internally, three deep soffit arches visually separate the foyer from three stills, which are prominently on display. IG Masonry Support designed each of these arches in three pieces, the deep inner soffit and the two outer faces. The deep internal soffit – which is 1.5 meters in depth and 2 meters wide – was designed to fuse seamlessly with the two outer faces of the arch during construction. The onsite and offsite materials blend
Simplicity of installation: Units were prefabricated and delivered to site as complete units. These were craned in before the roof went on and this enabled the units to be installed when the building contactor was ready, ultimately enabling a more streamlined build programme. No brick cutting required onsite: A consignment of the brick being used onsite was collected by IG and brought to the factory. Each arch was then manufactured as a separate unit and supplied to site with bricks bonded ready to be pointed. Support steelwork is completely hidden: The prefabricated units facilitate the return of brickwork on the soffit of the arch while ensuring structural steel is completely hidden. Multiple benefits of offsite construction solution:
For more information, contact IG Masonry Support by emailing info@igmss.co.uk or call +44 (0)28 8676 0334
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