Case Studies
Houndshill Shopping Centre, Blackpool
Client:
Modus
Architect:
NRN
Main Contractor:
Balfour Beattie
Scope of works:
Design and build entrance and entrance canopy complete with bespoke signs.
Completed:
December 08
"The Houndshill entrance feature was designed to the highest specification and Studiotech delivered this canopy, entrance and indeed all the signage to the site to that exacting specification. This achieved working mainly out of hours in difficult conditions. The end result is something they can be proud of."Andrew Duffy, Executive Project Manager, Modus Developments
Having worked with this client's design team on several other projects Studiotech were the obvious choice to provide the skills and expertise in the design and build of a bespoke entrance feature and scheme signage as part a £200m regeneration of Blackpool's Houndshill Shopping Centre.
Through close liaison with the lead architect NRN, Studiotech, acting as principal contractor in the demolition and reconstruction of this landmark structure, pooled together a team of skilled artisan companies from around the north west. These included a specialist in granite and marble cladding, builders, steel fabricators, specialists in aluminium fabrication and installation, signage fabricators and electrical engineers.
Having demolished the existing entrance the remaining steel structure was inspected and then retained. Additional steelwork was designed, fabricated and installed on site to support the new dense blockwork to create a support backdrop for the new 40mm thick natural granite tiles and underslung aluminium fabricated canopies.
Because of the quantity of natural materials used within the structure and the tight time constraints imposed by the client's programme the granite was procured and imported from China and shipped by sea direct to site. Each tile was individually selected and hand finished before being expertly fitted into place.
The aluminium underslung canopies were fabricated off-site and the front section of each canopy which measures over 5m long x 1.5m deep was fabricated in one section with no visible joints to create a seamless finish.
The finishing touch to this unique entrance was the bespoke fabricated aluminium signage which is internally illuminated with superbrite white LEDs.
In addition to the entrance feature Studiotech also provided all the external scheme signage to complete this welcoming and visually stunning historic site.
