Decorative casings – Top of the class
Without Encasement column casings and building lining solutions many universities, colleges and schools would probably be less engaging and attractive learning environments.
Primarily specified to conceal structural steelwork or building services, column casings and wall linings combine this practical benefit with the ability to improve the aesthetics that can blend in or contrast with interior decor. Also, where column casings are used to conceal exterior features, they are often used to enhance building entrances through the material options available, as well as the choice of colour and finish used.
In educational buildings, the presence of large numbers of students has an important influence on the specification. Where decorative casings are specified for use in high traffic areas, such as main entrances, common rooms, foyers, sports halls and other public spaces, durability is an essential requirement for most projects.
Individual classrooms, dedicated STEM blocks, science facilities and research labs are also subject to similar considerations, where the balance of material choice and finish are often defined by the level of durability required.
Understanding and meeting the differing demands from architects, educational design teams and specifiers have been key influences on Encasement’s product range. Its column casings range, which is used on new-build projects and refurbishment schemes includes six individual products that provide a wide choice of materials and finish options dependent on whether the casings are for exterior or interior use.
Circa and Quadra casings are manufactured from pre-formed MDF and plywood, respectively, while the Forma range is fabricated from metal. Alongside these, Polyma GRP and Gypra GRG column casings are both produced from moulds, using glass reinforced plastic (GRP) and glass reinforced gypsum (GRG).
Forma metal and Polyma GRP casings are widely used in educational buildings, as their toughness and finish options make them an ideal solution. Forma, can be specified in a range of shapes including circular, square, rectangular, hexagonal or bespoke forms and they can also be stacked to reach extended heights.
As well as installations at Lime Wood primary School in Kent and Winchester College, projects at, the University of Bedfordshire’s STEM laboratories and Birmingham University Dental School, all exploit Forma’s diverse properties in both interior and exterior applications.
Where casings are required for interior use only, then Circa and Quadra allow circular, square and rectangular profiles to be specified, while also providing a wide range of finishes, with the most popular being decorative high pressure laminates (HPL).
In addition to resisting damage, scuffs and scratches, HPL provides specifiers with a broad palette of finishes including plain colours, wood grains and metallics, as well as textured and real wood veneers. Although Gypra GRG is also an interior only product, it is rarely specified for educational projects, as moulded gypsum is less resistant to damage than other types.
Alongside the company’s six individual ranges of column casings, its Vecta building lining system provides high quality solutions for interior wall linings, bulkheads, soffits and reveals. Vecta has been used in a range of interior education projects, including extensive remodelling of London’s South Bank University, as well as exterior applications, such as the overhead walkway casings at St. Richard Reynolds College in Twickenham.
