Civic duty
We explore the performance and aesthetic benefits of using our column casings in public buildings
Creating practical and attractive interiors is never an easy task, but for public buildings, the challenges can be even more acute. This is particularly true in the leisure, education and health sectors, as well as local authority buildings and service centres, where the combined demands for durability, practicality and aesthetics all need to be met.
Encasement’s Verta column casing provide architects, specifiers and contractors with a broad choice of solutions, which are already widely used in a range of public sector projects.
Sports & leisure
At Gateshead International Stadium, Encasement supplied and installed 16 ‘Circa’ pre-formed plywood column casings, finished in a brushed aluminium Formica DecoMetal® laminate, to conceal structural columns in the reception and main entrance foyer.
Six of the 350mm diameter column casings stand more than 7.0 metres tall and are located adjacent to the building’s main curved glass facade, while the remaining 3.1 metre high casings are installed in the ground floor café bar area and upper gallery level.
Rectangular pre-formed plywood column casings, from the Quadra range, were installed at the Dame Kelly Holmes Sports Centre in Hampshire as part of a new annexe extension, corridor and foyer. Measuring 350mm x 370mm, some of the sixteen 3.0 metre high casings were adapted on site to allow for two changes in the floor level, which increases by approximately 300mm along the length of the new corridor.
Local authority services
Metal column casings from Encasement’s ‘Forma’ range were chosen by Brighton & Hove Council to conceal structural columns, whilst also forming part of an integrated circular seating arrangement at a five storey customer services centre in the city.
Bright colours have been used throughout the centre’s interior design and the column casings are finished in a RAL 5015 blue polyester powder coated (PPC) finish, which contrasts with the bright green seating and interior décor to help guide visitors to the correct area.
Education
Encasement casing solutions are installed in numerous schools, sixth form centres and higher education projects across the UK. Heathhall Primary School in Dumfries was one of the first to use Forma metal column casings to conceal exterior structural supports, while at Maidstone’s New Line Learning Academy, Forma casings also help create a feature entrance to the front of the building.
Square and rectangular ‘Quadra’ pre-formed plywood column casings are used extensively in public areas at both Howley Grange Primary School, in Halesowen, and Farnborough Sixth Form College to conceal structural elements and improve aesthetics.
At Liverpool University, eight 450mm diameter plywood casings are used in the café area of the Donnan & Robert Robinson building, to conceal existing features located around the perimeter, while a further nine 250mm diameter casings are used as part of a high-level table design built around existing structural columns.
Healthcare
The healthcare sector is major user of Encasement products, including hospitals, health centres and special care facilities. For Blackpool’s Moor Park Health Centre, 26 column casings were supplied to the facility including a unique, 7.2 metre high narrow section elliptical casing, from the Polyma range.
Manufactured from glass reinforced polymer (GRP) the bespoke manufactured casing provides a striking aesthetic feature to Moor Park’s spacious reception area, yet is also extremely durable and resistant to damage.
Elliptical Polyma GRP casings are also featured at a 40 bedroom Extra Care facility for people with specialist care needs, which is operated by Boston Mayflower housing association in Lincolnshire,. Measuring 800mm x 500mm and standing 2.7 metres high, the casings conceal internal structural column and rainwater harvesting pipe work.
