Something extraordinary – Bespoke casing solutions
Decorative architectural casing and enclosure solutions have been Pendock’s area of specialism for more than three decades, combining the key attributes of aesthetics and practicality to effectively conceal structural elements and building services.
In 1987, when the company was formed, column casings were typically specified for their practical characteristics and were used primarily to give a uniform coverage for structural steelwork and concrete columns. Since then, changing architectural demands have evolved and developed to a point where the understanding, acceptance and application of column casings and building linings are now an integral aspect of building design.
This design confidence and familiarity with casing solutions have also created opportunities for architectural and specification teams to push the boundaries further and engage with Pendock to develop unique bespoke solutions beyond the more widely accepted and used ‘standard’ products within the range.
Pendock’s technical project manager, Gavin Byram, explained: “We have a wide range of standard products and these still form the largest percentage of our business. This is particularly true of column casings, where most applications can be met by using metal, GRP, GRG or pre-formed plywood casings from our Radius range.
“However, we have been involved in many projects, where a solution must be engineered to solve the needs of a particular application, whether it involves extended heights, special shapes or non-standard dimensions. In these applications, we typically work with architects to ensure the results are a precise match for the specification.”
A comparatively early example of where bespoke casings were used to meet a complex interior form and create an interior feature was at the Birmingham Medical School. Two 8.8 metre high elliptical casings were manufactured using a specially formed ply substrate and pre-finished with a durable Formica laminate in polar white.
A further challenge to the design was to ensure the head of the column casing match the precise curvature of the timber ceiling, which was achieved to ensure a seamless join. Ellipses also featured on another bespoke project in Birmingham, at the National Exhibition Centre. To provide easy identification for the exhibition halls, Pendock manufactured a series of slender aerofoil section fins, which were finished with a red laminate and large metallic numbers.
It’s been more than 15 years since the NEC project was completed, which is testament to the durability of the bespoke casings, but in the intervening period, Pendock has been involved in countless other bespoke projects. Bringing things right up to date, two of the company’s latest projects have involved column casings reaching more than 11 metres high in Didcot, Oxfordshire and a project in Coventry where pre-formed curved metal beam casings, from Pendock’s Linea range, are being used to conceal the interior structural supports for a glazed atrium.
“Both of these projects required close liaison between the architects, contractors and ourselves,” added Byram. “However, one of the primary differences between Radius column casings and Linea building linings is that Radius also includes a range of standard sizes, in addition to its bespoke capabilities, while Linea is entirely bespoke, and all products are manufactured to meet individual specifications.”
For more information on Pendock’s products and services please call 01952 580590, email sales@pendock.co.uk or visit http://www.pendock.co.uk/
