Client: Department of Education and Childrens’ Youth Service
Architect: McGarrigle & Jackson
Type of works: supply and installation of Richard Burbidge's FUSION^® Commercial stair balustrade system.

Balustrade expert Richard Burbidge has supplied its contemporary FUSION^® Commercial stair balustrade system for an exciting new youth project in the Isle of Man, providing safe and stylish access for young people and staff.

Located in Douglas, the Youth Café is an initiative from the Department of Education and Childrens’ Youth Service and provides young people aged 13 to 18 with a place to socialise, as well as providing information and support. A former travel shop, the Youth Café features a modern café bar managed by local young people, and an informal information drop-in centre.

Architects McGarrigle & Jackson, specified FUSION^® Commercial for the café’s main staircase. The system’s combination of minimalist oak handrails and sleek tubular balusters in a modern brushed-nickel finish complemented the building’s modern and bright interior, whilst its availability off the shelf meant there were no lengthy lead times, helping the Youth Service to deliver the project on time.

Plus, FUSION^® Commercial is compliant with UK Building Regulations for communal areas and is tested for public stairs, withstanding loadings of 0.74kN/m, making it suitable for shared stairwells in public and residential buildings.

John Harris of architects McGarrigle & Jackson, comments: “The Youth Café will provide a valuable service to the youth of Douglas and the surrounding area, so it was important that the design was attractive to young people. The staircase is a central feature, so it needed to be innovative and contemporary, whilst also complying with the relevant standards.

“The balustrade from Richard Burbidge not only delivers on aesthetics but its superior quality means it’s able to cope with the everyday wear and tear that can be expected in a busy youth facility.”

David Richards, Specification and Trade Marketing Manager for Richard Burbidge, adds: “This is a really interesting project to have worked on and shows the versatility of the FUSION^® Commercial system. Its simple, contemporary design appeals to young and old alike, and its availability off the shelf makes it a quick solution for one-off refurbishments like this.”

Easy to install, all FUSION^® Commercial timber components are supplied pre-cut and pre-varnished, eliminating the need for time-consuming finishing. In addition, the brushed-nickel balusters are also supplied pre-cut and ready to fit.

Richard Burbidge offers a wide range of resources and added-value services for specifiers and architects, including RIBA-approved CPD seminars on stair balustrade, CAD drawings, two online planning tools and downloadable specification guides. Plus, the company also offers a bespoke planning service, providing fully priced solutions for individual project plans.