A showcase of stylish balconies and balustrades from Sapphire, including innovative offsite solutions, are complementing the unique character of a stunning new residential and commercial development in south west London. Macaulay Walk in Macaulay Road, Clapham Old Town is a sensitive blend of historic converted buildings and contemporary additions.

Sapphire’s package for the project includes 66 pre-glazed bolt-on balconies and 100 linear metres of glass balustrading for external walkways, all of which were manufactured offsite by Sapphire and delivered as pre-assembled units ready for fast track installation on site. In addition, Sapphire provided glazed terrace balustrades, opaque glass screening between balconies and to conceal plant on the residential roof terrace, as well as complementary internal glass balustrading to galleries in the development’s duplex apartments.

The offsite manufacture of balcony units and balustrades in Sapphire’s dedicated quality-assured production facilities means that site time and associated costs, such as scaffolding hire, are minimised and product quality is kept consistently high compared with completing more of the work on site. Steel-frame bolt-on balconies for apartments at Macaulay Walk were supplied to site as complete units with hardwood sub-deck and balustrades based on Sapphire’s Crystal frameless, structural glass system.

Sapphire’s Crystal system is combined with a powder-coated aluminium capping to provide an attractive and durable solution for 300 linear metres of terrace balustrading at Macaulay Walk. A point-fixed bracket fixing was specially designed by Sapphire to enable balustrading to be installed before terrace decks were waterproofed. Using this bespoke fixing solution gave Sapphire greater flexibility in dealing with the different floor build-ups and therefore assisted in better project planning and sequencing.

Sapphire’s pre-fabrication expertise was also utilised for Crystal frameless glass balustrades to a series of bridge links, which provide pedestrian walkways between the various buildings that make up Macaulay Walk. Glazed balustrades were manufactured in factory production line conditions, then delivered to site in 10 metre sections ready to be craned into place and assembled on to the link bridges by Sapphire.

Ensuring continuity both inside and out, Sapphire’s Crystal system was used for internal balustrades in Macaulay Walk’s duplex apartments. A total of 30 linear metres of frameless glass balustrading was manufactured and installed by Sapphire to gallery areas, enhancing the apartments’ light and airy interiors.

Macaulay Walk is just one of the residential projects to choose Sapphire’s pre-fabricated balconies and balustrades, which are aimed specifically at the high-rise housebuilding sector.