Encasement column casings for new school library
A series of, 300mm diameter Forma metal column casings, which stand six-metre-high, have been supplied and installed by Encasement at Ibstock Place School’s new library building as part of a recently completed £8.5 million scheme.
Located in Roehampton, on the edge of Richmond Park, London, the project also involved the construction of new accommodation, including 16 new classrooms, six science labs and a resource centre alongside the new library.
Within the library’s interior, Encasement’s white polyester powder coated aluminium casings conceal the building’s structural columns, which also incorporate a series of beams that support a glass mezzanine floor and a spiral staircase.
A key focus of the library’s contemporary design, created by South West London architects, Barnsley Hewett & Mallinson, is to allow plenty of natural light into the building, which incorporates a large glass curtain wall as well as the opaque glass floor.
Encasement’s managing director, Martin Taylor, said: “The need for natural light has clearly influenced the decision for a white finish to the column casings to ensure as much light as possible is reflected into the building, which is important as the columns are located immediately behind the glazed curtain wall.”
He added: “The fact that we were able to have complete control of this project as a supply and install contract meant that we were able to work closely with the main contractor to meet their precise requirements. It also ensured that we could effectively co-ordinate our installation around the other elements of this high-quality project.”