Client: Findel Education plc
Contractor: GMI Construction
Type of works: manufacture and installation of powder-coated aluminium for the roofline and column casing.

Leading Architectural Aluminium manufacturer, JWD, has just completed work on the new four storey Head Office building which has been developed for Findel Education plc. The prestigious building at Hyde Mills in Cheshire is an impressive structure built of facing brick and stonework and aluminium glazing, featuring a distinctive bullnose fascia soffit roofline, and an imposing fascia frontage ruminating back to the days of art deco design.

The approximate total area of office space is 65,520 sq ft and comprises serviced office space and associated external works.

JWD worked together with GMI Construction to fulfil the architectural aluminium aspects of the project and was chosen by GMI because of the company's unique ability to offer a one stop manufacture, powder-coat and installation package.

First came the manufacture of the roofline detail which was fabricated in two parts at JWD's manufacturing base in Cheshire. JWD's 'Curved Air' bullnose design is a particular speciality of the company. The application of the Dark Grey powder coating was carried out at the fully automated powder-coat facility. The powder-coating division was developed in 2005 combining the best in powder coat technology with JWD’s responsive lead time turnaround.

Then came the production of the coated aluminium steel column casing. These were designed to wrap around the structural steel, giving the impression of a solid steel column.

This was a new innovation for both the main contractor and JWD, but posed a challenge for neither. GMI were confident that JWD would be able to produce a solution, and the skills of JWD’s Senior Estimator and Manufacturing Manager meant that production samples were produced quickly. These were then taken to be approved on site, before full scale manufacture commenced.

The casing was coated in a mid Grey colour which contrasted perfectly with the roofline and glazing detail. The columns were used as a feature detail all around the building.