When main contractor Galliford Try needed the perfect cladding solution for a new landmark development in Southampton, they turned to Aquarian Cladding Systems for help.
The external cladding supplier's Gebrik brick cladding system was the perfect choice for Vincent's Walk, an impressive development in the heart of Southampton by Victoria Hall Management. Standing between 8-11 storeys high, it provides accommodation for more than 280 students and includes a cinema room, gym and roof terrace, plus retail space on the ground floor.
Chosen for its exemplary aesthetics, reliability and time savings, Gebrik was also vital in overcoming one of the project's main challenges. Will Bond of ArchitecturePLB, who worked closely with Aquarian at the early stages, explained: "The challenging programme steered the project towards a light-gauge steel frame solution, but it was unable to take the loads of the proposed traditional masonry facades. Gebrik provided a lightweight alternative to traditional masonry that was delivered within the tight programme time for the main contractor."
As a select company from Aquarian's Approved Installer Network, cladding specialist T&T Facades made use of more than 4000m2 of the Gebrik system.
Tom Rutter, from T&T Facades said: "Gebrik's comparative ease of delivery, storage and installation meant that challenging programme targets could be met. It also made planning more straightforward, knowing that the product could be relied upon to replicate traditional brickwork while increasing productivity. Aquarian delivered on their promises - when they said something would be delivered on a certain date, or something would be done, it was."
Aquarian's expert team worked closely to support the project through design and installation, with attention given particularly to the two separate buildups, which included a 15mm drained cavity with timber battens and a larger cavity using helping hand brackets to achieve deep window reveals. As the building is over 18m it was also crucial that any approved details were in accordance with Gebrik's BR135 Assessment report.
For Aquarian's Managing Director Paul Richards, Vincent's Walk is yet another success story for Aquarian and Gebrik. "We're extremely proud of Gebrik's ability to adapt to and thrive in challenging environments," said Paul. "And we are thrilled to have been involved in a project as ambitious and exciting as Vincent's Walk."
Aquarian Cladding, based in North Somerset, supplies brick and terracotta cladding systems to the UK construction industry across a wide range of sectors, from residential to commercial.
