Undercover story

The interiors of many buildings, as well as some exteriors, would be considerably less attractive and practical if it wasn’t for column casings and building lining solutions. A bold statement, perhaps, but decorative casing solutions have become a fundamental aspect of contemporary building design, performing a vital function by providing an effective, stylish and versatile method of concealing structural steelwork, concrete columns and building services.

The use of column casings has grown dramatically since the early 1980s, where their primary role was purely to conceal structural supports with comparatively little consideration given to the potential for adding visual appeal. Demands for wider choice and increased aesthetics from architects, specifiers and their clients have been key influences on Peterborough-based decorative casing specialist, Encasement.

Polyma and Forma casings

Although every column casing in Encasement’s range is suitable for interior use, the Polyma and Forma ranges are also widely used for exterior projects, due to their inherent weather resistance and durability.

Available in aluminium or stainless steel, Forma casings can be specified as circles, with diameters ranging from 250mm to 1000mm, or in square, rectangular and hexagonal forms, as well as unique custom profiles. The choice of finishes is also extensive and in addition to RAL colour PPC coating options, various brushed, anodised, embossed and textured finishes are also available, including Rimex.

Strength, durability and colour choice are also features of the Polyma GRP range. As the products are moulded, this manufacturing process allows a high degree of design flexibility with shape, size and colour options all open to specification to meet bespoke project requirements, as well as standard profile options.

Projects such as Premier Inn’s flagship hotel in Cardiff Bay, Tetrosyl’s head office reception in Rochdale, and Birmingham Dental Hospital illustrate the versatility of Polyma and Forma column casing solutions and suitability for bespoke solutions. At Cardiff Bay’s Premier Inn, bright yellow GRP casings are used to conceal diagonal structural steelwork that runs along across the full length of the hotel’s exterior, while Tetrosyl’s Forma aluminium casings incorporate a unique aerofoil profile. At Birmingham’s Dental Hospital, Forma is used to create a 25-metre-high semi-elliptical design as part of the buildings glazed front elevation.

Circa and Quadra casings

Where casings are required purely for interior use, the Circa and Quadra ranges allow circular, square and rectangular profiles to be specified, while also providing a wide choice of finish options with decorative laminated finishes being the most popular.

In addition to resisting damage, scuffs and scratches, laminates provide the specifier with finish options including plain colours, wood grains and metallics, as well as textured and real wood veneers. Circa is also available as a plain casing for on-site painting and decoration.

Circa and Quadra are manufactured as standard from EUTR/UKTR-compliant and sustainably sourced timbers, while an FSC-certified option is also available to aid compliance with sustainable building codes and timber procurement policies. As a result, a wide choice of sizes is available in the range, allowing specifiers to choose not only circular and square, but also extended circles and rectangular profiles, using additional infill panels to give greater

design versatility.

Quadra’ projects include Farnborough’s Sixth Form Centre and the Dame Kelly Holmes Sports Centre, while among the many Circa installations Liverpool University, Gateshead International Stadium and Gatwick Airport’s South Terminal are major installations.

Vecta delivers versatility and aesthetics

Alongside the column casings, Encasement’s Vecta building lining system provides a high-quality solution for interior wall linings, lift lobbies, bulkheads and reveals. Combining practicality, aesthetics and durability, it is widely used in retail, education and commercial buildings, such as Tesco, South Bank University and Prêt a Manger, as well as prestigious office developments, including Wellington House and the Carmine Building in London.

“The Vecta interior building lining system is a versatile bespoke solution that allows specifiers to source a range of specialised decorative finishing products from an experienced single supplier,” commented Encasement managing director Martin Taylor. “We also have our own contracting arm, which enables us to offer a full supply and install service.”