Brick-Faced Panels
Publication: Building Products Issue: October 2000

Brick-faced precast cladding panels from Techrete have been supplied for a hi-tech manufacturing facility in Oxfordshire. The 3.5 x 6.8m panels were cast to a thickness of 220mm, with the bricks protruding 20mm from the reinforced concrete matrix. Features include a concrete corbel to the lower edge.

 



Techrete meets critical needs
Publication: Concrete Issue Issue: October 2000

Techrete Ltd's manufacturing and scheduling expertise were fully exploited in the production and supply of 90 brick-faced precast concrete cladding panels for a new hi-tech manufacturing facility in Oxfordshire. Project consultants, Todd Architects, specified Marshalls Nori buff brick laid in a stack-bonded pattern for the building, which features a 5.5m high ground-floor production area with offices above. The 3.5m-high 6.8m-long panels were cast 220mm thick with the bricks protruding 20mm from the reinforced concrete matrix. When cured, the brickwork was pointed with a contrasting coloured mortar and 33mm thick rigid insulation was secured to the back. Panel design included a concrete corbel to the lower edge, which locates back onto the main structural steelwork, and cast-in sockets to provide for fixing at the panel head.

 



Techrete panels provide hidden strength for M&S
Publication: Concrete Issue: September 2000

Special lifting frames were fabricated by specialists, Techrete Ltd, to install precast concrete panels, some up to 200mm thick by 3.5m high and weighing up to 5 tonnes, at the new Marks & Spencer store, the world's largest, in central Manchester. Designed to carry the sandstone cladding with sufficient strength to provide some blast resistance, the precast concrete panels incorporated steel brackets for easy fixing. The panels rest on the edge of the floor beams of the structural frame and are tied back at the top of each storey. Techrete was awarded the contract by Bovis Lend Lease on the basis of precasting expertise and ability to meet all demands. This initially involved Techrete's design department working closely with architects BDP and consulting engineers WSP in panel design. Techrete liaised closely with the principal members of the project team, particularly the steelwork fabricator and stonemasons, to ensure compatibility. Work scheduling provided for holes to be let in the floor slabs so that the huge panels could be craned through and 'walked' into position.

 



Pre-stressed panels play a huge part in construction
Publication: Building Products Issue: June 2000

Cladding of a most unusual nature has been supplied by Techrete for the building currently under construction at Holborn Place in London. The company has supplied some 900 storey-high pre-stressed reconstructed stone panels, each measuring more than 9mm in length. The panels take the form of framed decorative louvres and incorporate pre-stressed reconstructed stone elements, which are set into steel moulds together with flamed pale grey Ballybrew granite panels. The large, heavy units were lifted into position using a heavy beam. Fixings were incorporated that were bolted to special bracketry. Once installed the panel joints were painted with a specially formulated colour toned and chemically-matched silicone sealant.

 



Cladding
Publication: The Structural Engineer Issue: December 1997

Alhambra House complements the powerful renaissance façade of the adjacent Atrium Court building, formerly the General Post Office, in Waterloo Street, Glasgow. The design has a consciously 'art deco' influence and incorporates many complex mouldings and changes in plane which would have been prohibitively costly and time-consuming to achieve using traditional masonry construction; precast concrete cladding was therefore an obvious choice for the façade system, and the contract was awarded to Techrete (UK) Ltd. The cladding panels comprise Giallo-Bras-Lucido granite, imported from Savema, in Italy and fixed to a 180mm-thick structural concrete backing. For economy and flexibility the complex cornice mouldings and curved towers are fabricated from cast reconstructed stone, specified to complement the granite cladding. Panels are top hung, bottom restrained and fixed to the perimeter steel structure which incorporates secondary support elements to achieve the perimeter modulation desired. The U values required were achieved by fixing rigid polystyrene insulation slabs, incorporating an integral aluminium foil vapour barrier, directly to the inside face of the concrete cladding panels. All joints between insulation slabs and the adjoining structure were then completely sealed using adhesive foil tape. Because of the complex and varied stone detailing incorporated throughout and the offsetting of both the east and west facades to follow the original street line, the degree of mould repetition was not as high as would normally be achieved on a more modular, repetitive design. This, to some degree, offset the cost-effectiveness of the panellised approach. However, the increased quality of detailing and workmanship achieved by Techrete, with the benefits of off-site fabrication and the speed of erection, made this method of enclosing the superstructure the most appropriate.

 



Edinburgh's Exchange Plaza
Publication: ABC&D Issue: November 1997

While the project team of a major new building within Edinburgh's ambitious Exchange Plaza project chose Techrete precast concrete cladding panels for their speed of erection and controllable quality, the city's planners were persuaded by their very close resemblance to traditional masonry. At the Exchange Plaza, designed by architects The Cochrane McGregor Group, Techrete supplied and installed a blend of natural granite, sandstone, masonry and reconstructed stone panels.

 



Digging deep at Heathrow
Publication: What's New In Building Issue: September 1997

While PCE celebrates completion of its Gatwick wall, work is still underway at another London airport, as the Heathrow Express link to Paddington Station nears completion. Precast concrete specialist Techrete is on track to complete the £4.2million contract, which has involved the supply and fixing of 9,000 glass reinforced concrete panels. The company is also supplying special acoustic elements and enamelled glass signage for insertion into the panels. Most of the panels are produced to a 1.8 x 0.9m module with a 50mm deep front face coffer. Stainless steel brackets cast into the edges allow secret fixing. Carefully selected aggregates and a blend of white and grey cement help ensure a finish quality appropriate to this high profile environment.

 



Precast concrete cladding solutions
Publication: What's New In Building Issue: January 1997

While product versatility was the key factor in specifying precast concrete cladding for Edinburgh's £38m International Conference Centre, it was Techrete's ability to provide an affordable, quality product, which met exacting performance specifications that led it to win the contract.

Reflecting the round auditoria within, the external form of the conference centre comprises a 34m high drum flanked by external service cores. Ascending from a rectangular plinth and topped with a projecting spiky black coronet, the huge rotunda is clad on upper storeys with Techrete curved precast reconstructed stone panels which diminish in scale as they rise up the building.

The sizes of the panels vary from one to 2.5m high by 4m wide and thus allow quick enclosure and reduce the number of joints. To provide additional scale, particularly at close quarters, each panel has an etched finish and is grooved to simulate joints - decorative detailing which is easy to achieve due to the product's mould-ability. Furthermore, the formulation of special mixes of aggregates, cements and pigments ensured the Techrete cladding provided a compatible match in colour and texture to buff-coloured natural gritstone panels used at lower levels.

 



Techrete - investing in expansion
Publication: Roofing, Cladding & Insulation Issue: Nov/Dec 1996

Planned 'fast track' growth, through acquisitions and major investment in production plant staff and advanced computer technology, is working out well for Techrete (UK). Clearly established as a market leader in the manufacture of high quality precast concrete cladding that has been specified for use on projects throughout the country, the company's expansion is being driven by exceptionally heavy demand for its precast concrete and GRC cladding products.

With the company's Dublin plant working to capacity, the recent acquisition of the former Luda works at Brigg, Humberside was a logical step for Techrete and one that has enabled it to improve the supply of units to mainland UK contracts and to provide for future expansion. Over £1million has been invested in the Humberside plant on new production equipment, greatly enlarged production facilities and the latest computer-based systems for production quality control.

Work on upgrading the plant, which is already producing 80 per cent of the company's requirements, is scheduled for completion by the end of the year when this will double its capacity and create new jobs. Techrete anticipates increasing its UK work force to 70 over the next few months.

Techrete manufactures its architectural precast cladding in several forms; natural and reconstructed stone, architectural and polished concrete, brick, marble and stone faced panels. As the many projects completed throughout the country demonstrate, panels may be flat, curved or intricately shaped and faced in a variety of ways to match the designers needs.

Techrete's success has been achieved by putting quality first on the production floor and backing it with well qualified engineers, surveyors, draughtsmen and contract managers to ensure client satisfaction at all stages of a project. This approach, linked to strict cost controls, is providing architects and designers with versatile, affordable cladding products with a wide range of applications.

 



For the record
Publication: Refurbishment Projects Issue: December 1996

The new Public Record Office building, constructed on the existing site at Kew has received The Secretary of State's Special Commendation for Environmental Excellence in the British Construction Industry Awards 1996 and a Certificate of Excellence in this year's Concrete Society Awards. A major feature is the creamy sand-coloured external cladding designed, manufactured and installed by Techrete Ltd, a member of the Architectural Cladding Association.

The Office will house records currently stored at Chancery Lane, as well as new accessions from government departments. With building complete, the programme to make substantial improvements to the existing building and grounds began.

Although the original 1977 building and this new extension are joined by an atrium, one does not shadow the other. But the contrast in style clearly indicates how precast concrete cladding has evolved from a heavy utilitarian form to a medium that has a familiar feel, helped by the introduction of classical details such as dentils, and panel mouldings.

The panels, 6 and 9 metres long and weighing up to 10 tonnes, have an acid etched finish. Although several of the units have complex shapes, many are identical, keeping the number of mould changes to a minimum. The deeply recessed joints between the spandrel panels and pilasters are masked by the inset rainwater pipes, effectively disguising the panelling effect of the main elevations. The in-situ columns at the main entrance deserve a special mention. They were cast by the contractor, Kyle Stewart, using a mix provided by Techrete, and using the same technique of finishing. The result is a remarkable compatibility with the neighbouring precast units, such close matching is rare.

The external detailing continues into the main entrance hall, where the first floor spandrel panels form an almost complete circle, complementing the high quality in-situ concrete exposed columns and beams.

The character of the building is reflected in the landscaping, where Techrete has provided masonry for the decorative walls, and free standing pillars, some of which incorporate inset natural slate features.

The edging to the lakes fronting the building, have been cast in reconstructed stone matching the slate that is extensively used at the main entrance.

Following the completion of the refurbishment work it is expected the records move will be complete in December. The whole project will meet the PRO's needs for record storage space up to at least 2010, provide new facilities for conferences, lectures and school visits and for the first time since the 1920's together on one site all the original records regularly used by readers.