FP McCann Precast Concrete Architectural Facade Panels And Balconies Feature On Luxury Hyde Park Development

FP McCann’s architectural facade division has supplied and installed bespoke acid-etched precast concrete cladding units, stone inlaid precast panels and precast balconies to envelope a brand-new 190,000 sqft luxury residential development overlooking Hyde Park, London. “Park Modern” is a nine-storey building comprising 57 high-end one to six bedroom apartments, amongst some of the most prestigious in Kensington. Residents in the development have access to valet parking, a resident’s lounge, a 25-metre pool, gym, spa, cinema, and treatment salon.

Completed earlier this year, the super-prime £500 million design and build project for client Fenton Whelan, was awarded to central London based construction company Ant Yapi UK Ltd. Unique to Park Modern’s design is an undulating precast concrete sandstone look façade and curved precast balconies working in combination with complementary smooth natural stone slips inlaid in precast cladding panels.

Designer PLP Architecture inspired by the surrounding parkland, used the setting to create natural lines to allow the building to sit comfortably within the Hyde Park landscape. Recognising FP McCann’s experience in this field, Ant Yapi UK along with PLP Architecture approached the Company to quote for the design, supply and installation of the three key precast concrete architectural elements. 

On securing the contract FP McCann employed structural installation partner RLH Construction Ltd to undertake the panel façade build using free issued tower cranes, significantly reducing the need for any scaffolding on the building. The balconies delivered on a supply only basis, were fitted by building frame specialist Modebest, who also installed decks and floors on behalf of Ant Yapi UK. 

In total, 192 FP McCann precast concrete cladding units were fitted by RLH Construction of which, 106 are acid-etched sandstone-coloured curved panels and 86 are inlaid natural stone panels with the exposed precast concrete faces having an acid-etched sandstone coloured finish. 96 sandstone colour-matched curved balconies completed the order, with all products manufactured and delivered on a just-in-time basis from FP McCann’s Littleport factory in Cambridgeshire. 

Commenting on the Park Modern build, Chris Watson, Senior Planner for Ant Yapi UK says, “This construction approach demonstrated a number of efficiencies compared with practices associated with a traditional build. The off-site manufacturing of the architectural cladding panels and balconies offered significant advantages in terms of product quality and integrity.

On site, speed of construction, minimising waste and the ability to work uninterrupted in all weather conditions were all major benefits. Additionally, the external precast facade system removed the need for scaffolding and wet trades, thereby minimising the health and safety risk factors associated with people working at height”. www.fpmccann.co.uk

Marmox Thermoblocks Insulate Tudor Reconstruction

The reconstruction of a rambling old farmyard close to Ely in East Cambridgeshire is making use of well proven Marmox Thermoblocks, specified in three widths as the ideal solution for tackling thermal-bridging around the building perimeter as part of a well-insulated design. Mitchell’s Barn is replacing a sprawling complex of dilapidated tin cowsheds and a rather more attractive oak barn which was founded on a plinth of Tudor era bricks.

The original planning permission allowed for the reconstruction of the latter structure, but when the owner, Ben Hughes came to dismantle the outer envelope, much of the timber was found to be rotten while the bricks showed significant frost-damage. The work which got under way earlier in the autumn, is therefore seeing both 215mm and 140mm wide Thermoblocks being used to support a 800mm high brick base which will then carry the conserved oak beams, creating a traditional looking inner ambience.

Ben Hughes commented: “I have taken responsibility for the design as well as the construction of what will be a four-bedroom, three-bathroom property, as a self-build project with the help of a builder, Peter Axton who I have worked with on previous projects. As it is such an exposed site, the house takes the form of a three-sided courtyard which will shelter the south facing terrace. Primarily a Class Q conversion of an agricultural building into a residential building, the new structure is all single storey, but with a mezzanine to accommodate the plant and services that will include an air source heat pump and MVHR system."

"Essentially, we are rebuilding it at the same scale using the same traditional techniques as the original, with additional oak for the frame coming from a tree felled on the site. In order to meet Building Regulations, we have gone for an insulated cavity wall with 150m of PIR insulation for the floor and roof, but when I was researching how to address the issue of thermal bridging at the floor wall junction, Marmox Thermoblock seemed to be the only targeted product solution. In terms of the loadings and the insulation values I am certain it will work well. It’s a good mix of old and new technologies and I’m very happy with the design overall.”

In total Ben and his bricklayer have used 144 x 140x65mm blocks plus 18 x 100x65mm blocks and 50 x 215x65mm blocks, purchased from Insulation Shop on-line. Bedded in conventional mortar, the stepped overlaps between adjacent Thermoblocks have been secured using a high performance (Sika) adhesive.

Ben concluded saying: “The work is progressing well and my bricklayer, Danny, has had no issues with laying the Thermoblocks or cutting them where it has been necessary. Some of the packages, such as for the windows, are still to be placed, but I am confident of the finished property exceeding the current Building Regulation requirements and making a very comfortable home.” 

He is also consulting with Marmox’s technical department over the use of the company’s even longer established Multiboard thermal tilebacker board and other products for fitting out the bathrooms, including at least one wetroom. With a proven track record going back more than a decade, Thermoblocks are available in widths of 100, 140 and 215mm and feature a unique design where two rows of high strength epoxy concrete mini-columns are encapsulated in sections of XPS (Extruded polystyrene).

They are attached at either end to the top and bottom layers of glass-fibre reinforced polymer concrete to achieve a strong bond with the rest of the structure. As well as being used in basement construction and around the floor-wall junction – supporting timber frame as well as masonry walls – Thermoblocks regularly feature at first floor level and beneath parapet walls. They are further employed for swimming pool construction. www.marmox.co.uk

IG Masonry Support Plays Key Role In Contemporary New Build Family Home

The Glade House is a bespoke five-bedroom home situated in a secluded woodland clearing in Surrey. Designed by award-winning AR Design Studio, this contemporary new-build redefines the family home with a clear architectural intent: to create seamless connections between the built form and the natural landscape through structure, material, and light.

Replacing an outdated property that no longer met modern standards, the new home was shaped through close collaboration between architect and client to deliver a highly tailored space, where refined construction detailing supports both lifestyle and design ambition. The architectural form is defined by four slender linear brick walls that extend from the building out into the surrounding landscape.

These brick elements divide the garden into distinct outdoor spaces and define generous, open-plan interiors at ground level. IG Masonry Support partnered with EH Smith to ensure that its prefabricated masonry systems aligned seamlessly with this challenging and highly bespoke brick format. The project utilised Product 14013711, a unique 40 mm-high brick, the minimum height achievable for a brick unit. 

This specialist product was fundamental to achieving the fine linear expression central to the design. IG Masonry Support's collaboration ensured full compatibility between support systems and brick coursing, maintaining the architectural clarity envisioned by AR Design Studio. To support the delivery of this architecturally ambitious build, IG Masonry Support was proud to supply a combination of advanced solutions, including B.O.S.S. A1 (Brick on Soffit System) units, welded masonry support, and brick slip lintels, all tailored to achieve the precise detailing demanded by the design. 

In total, IG Masonry Support supplied 17.33 linear metres of brick slip lintels across the project, including six units used both internally and externally. The largest lintel is installed inside, forming a key transition between the dramatic double-height entrance void and the open-plan kitchen/living area — a focal point of the home’s interior layout. They also supplied two B.O.S.S. A1 units, designed to deliver seamless deep soffit brickwork in key areas: one installed over the 5.2-metre garage opening, and another spanning a 7-metre opening into the main residence. 

These prefabricated, A1 fire-rated units provided crisp, uninterrupted brick detailing while offering major time savings during installation. In total, 12.2 linear metres of B.O.S.S. were used on the project. Due to the unique dimensions of the 40mm-high brick, the soffit areas couldn’t achieve a traditional stretcher bond throughout. Smaller cuts had to be introduced at random intervals to accommodate the soffit geometry. This adjustment was necessary to maintain the clean aesthetic and ensure accurate alignment with the bespoke support systems, without compromising the visual intent of the design.  

These masonry support solutions enabled the successful execution of the floating soffits and brick-lined walls that define the visual rhythm of the building, both structurally and architecturally. The Glade House is a carefully crafted home that celebrates architectural clarity and natural context. IG Masonry Support is proud to have played a key role in its successful realisation.  https://igmasonrysupport.com