Encasement explores how bespoke column casings can improve the aesthetics and performance of transport hubs.
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Circa column casings at Gatwick Airport South Terminal
Whether it’s an airport, train station or bus terminus, transport hubs are usually places that travellers want to pass through with ease and speed, with little time or interest to notice their design, let alone the decorative solutions that conceal structural steelwork and protect internal walls. However, for architects, specifiers and casing specialist, Encasement, these are key considerations.
By default and definition, transport hubs need to process large numbers of people through foyers, waiting areas and embarkation. Footfall of this kind has a significant impact on building interiors, durability, aesthetics, and the ability to resist damage. These are common specification demands made on Encasement’s column casings and building linings products.
However, as the casing specifications can differ considerably, depending on their location and end use, the most practical way of illustrating this diversity is by focusing on some selected transport projects where Encasement bespoke casings have been installed.
Vecta compact laminate wall linings at Oakham Transport Interchange
Oakham Transport Interchange, Rutland
Vecta wall linings are being used in the waiting room to provide a highly durable and low maintenance solution. The 2.4-metre high Vecta panels are finished in ‘Stone beige’ to help create a comfortable and light interior for passengers. Each wall panel is manufactured from 8mm thick compact laminate and is fixed to an aluminium and timber supporting framework. The latter ensures precise positioning of the panels and allows them to be effectively secured while maintaining the desired contrasting shadow-gap design when installed.
Forma column casings at Coventry Train Station
Coventry Train Station
As part of the £82m transformation of Coventry Train Station, which was opened in March this year, the main concourse train information display gantry is using Forma metal column casings to conceal its steel supports, standing 3.8-metres high. Manufactured from 2mm thick aluminium, the two 350mm diameter column casings are coated with a white RAL 9010 PPC finish, each of which also incorporate two contrasting red stripes around the circumference and aluminium skirting collars at the base.
Circa column casings at Gatwick Airport South Terminal
Gatwick Airport South Terminal, West Sussex
London Gatwick Airport’s South Terminal departure lounge and retail area is using 27 Circa column casings to conceal structural steelwork, while integrating with the interior design and providing a damage- resistant finish. Constructed from durable and tough 12mm thick pre-formed plywood, the 800mm diameter casings are located throughout the departure lounge area and range in height from 3.3 metres to 7.5 metres. The upper section of each column casing is finished in Formica FR grade real wood laminate, while the lower 1200mm uses brushed stainless steel, which also incorporates flush fitting feature joints.
Quadra column casings at Worksop Bus Station
Worksop Bus Station, Nottinghamshire
Quadra square and rectangular column casings are being used to conceal interior structural steelwork at Worksop’s main bus station to help provide a durable and decorative environment for the one million passengers that use the station each year. Standing 5.15-metres high, the 12 Quadra casings are manufactured from pre-formed plywood and finished with a hard-wearing Formica F6305 ‘Limed Strand’ high-pressure laminated surface. Located around the perimeter, the casings were precisely cut and fitted to accommodate low-level bulkheads, structural beams and M&E services in the building.
Vecta aluminium wall linings at Petit Prêt, King’s Cross Underground Station
King’s Cross Underground Station, London
Although, technically, a retail application, to comply with London Underground fire and safety regulations, the refurbishment of Prêt a Manger’s Petit Prêt store at King’s Cross Underground Station called for the use of non-combustible interior wall linings, which was addressed using Encasement’s Vecta product.
Within the Petit Prêt store, Vecta aluminium panels were used to fully line the shop interior from floor-to-ceiling, which also included the installation of the system’s fixing rails, as well as edge and door trims, together with a 100mm high mirror-polished aluminium skirting. To help keep the shop bright in its underground location, the Vecta panels were finished with a white RAL 9010 PPC coating.
Forma column casings at Salford Train Station
Salford Crescent Train Station
Four 350mm diameter circular Forma casings are used to conceal external structural steelwork at the station’s ticket office and are designed to fit flush with the adjacent walls. This is achieved by manufacturing the casings as ‘three-quarter’ circles spanning only 270 degrees of their circumference. Standing three-metres high, the 2mm thick aluminium casings are finished with a RAL 9010 PPC coating and incorporate a 300mm high top section. The latter was measured and fitted on site to match the building’s roof profile, creating a virtually seamless aesthetic.
A full range of literature, case studies and detailed product information is available online from the Encasement website. In addition, detail drawings in DWG and PDF formats are available for download alongside specification clauses and brochures covering the complete product range.
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Source: Architecture Today