Situated in The Strand, London, leading serviced apartment operator Staycity are bringing to market 106 new studio apartments across 6 floors with retail and restaurant space at ground level.

Key Challenges

• Challenging programme that has been dictating weekend and night working to achieve
• Logistically challenging in busy central London location
• Complex geometry and curves to high level glazing areas
• Integrated zinc and stone cladding to curtain wall areas

The Brief

Approached by contractor Blenheim House during the pre-construction phases, Colorminium were commissioned to design, manufacture and install the total envelope package for this refurbishment project. With the design already at Stage E and with a change of architect from the planning submission, our remit was to re-assess the buildability and look at the most efficient way of delivering a logistically challenging project within a very tight programme.

Our Approach

The scheme has been designed to retain the existing concrete structure and increase the height of the building by 2 storeys with an inclined steel frame. The existing handset stone façade has been demolished and will be replaced with a new stone and glass clad design.

With the existing façade still in place, a number of investigative survey works were carried out to enable the design to progress before the demolition commenced due to the tight programme. Using lightweight steel framing as slab infills, the curtain walling on the lower levels is being installed as ‘punch-hole’ screens with anodised aluminium surrounds. Solid zones are then insulated before a traditional stone rainscreen installed between glazing bays.

The most prominent feature of the building is the high quality glass façade at the top of the building. Raking backwards to roof level and with a curved prow, it requires conical glass to the prominent corner of the building. This has proved to be challenging in design but once complete, will give a stunning vista to the top floors.

The Result

Due for completion in late 2015, the finished building will bring a cutting-edge hotel to an area that already boasts a number of 4 and 5 star hotels. Ground floor restaurant areas will be open from summer 2015 ahead of the main hotel.