Bailey Total Building Envelopes worked alongside Prater to design and install the external envelope for a department store as part of the Bracknell town centre regeneration project.
The regeneration project includes a 580,000sq ft retail and leisure site called The Lexicon. Designed to transform the town into a vibrant and convenient shopping destination, with 70 popular stores and restaurants, the redevelopment is one of the biggest currently taking place in the UK.
Lead contractor Mace, appointed appointed building envelope specialist Prater who chose Bailey to supply the complex rainscreen cladding element required for Block 3; the new Fenwick department store.
Fenwick required a standout, visually stunning solution for the building façade . To accomplish this, Bailey helped to draw up an intricate bespoke design of more than 2,200 5mm aluminium rainscreen cladding panels, cut with a striking pattern of circles that are lit from behind.
A strong trend in architectural design, these perforated panels needed to maintain their overall strength and performance as well as achieving an aesthetic impact. Bailey was able to provide panels that delivered both requirements.
Each rainscreen panel for the building was individually treated and then anodised to give a unique texture and a premium look. Further enhancing the crisp, modern appearance of the building, the rainscreen cladding employs a Secret-Fix System, so the panels do not require folds or visual fixings.
With more than 21 different types of panel, and various backing framework designs to integrate with the back lighting, it’s been essential that Bailey work closely with the on-site team to provide detailed drawings and guides for installation.
Manufactured and delivered to site to a planned schedule, the panels were expertly installed by the Prater team.
A Bailey Project Manager was on call to visit the site to support the Prater team with any technical queries and provide assistance with coordinating the delivery in accordance with the agreed plan and Construction Programme.