Hanson - Products make a splash at lifeboat centre
When the new Clacton Lifeboat Centre was opened last year, its
imaginative design and innovative use of materials was widely
applauded. To add aesthetic appeal to the structure and to provide a
functional purpose, Hi Strength Paint Grade Smooth blocks from
Hanson Building Products’ Thermalite range were used for the
interior of the building.
Work started on the new lifeboat house site in Hastings Avenue in
2006. The new building, which is next to the Coastguard station,
houses both lifeboats and provides up-to-the-minute training and
crew facilities. A gift shop and viewing area are included in the
plans, giving better access to the public than at the present
boathouse on the pier.
“This was a very unusual design, with stainless steel combined with
brickwork, blocks and glass to create a strong visual impact,”
comments Paul Markwell of Rose Builders, the firm responsible for
the installation. “The blockwork was specified because of its
overall clean and bright appearance and also because it has the
capacity to be easily washed down.”
This practical function of the blocks was a major consideration in
its specification. Every time the lifeboats return, they have to be
cleaned of any salt and debris that could compromise future
performance. The Thermalite Hi-Strength fair face is easily washable
once painted, with the smooth surface making it far easier to clean
than conventional render or brickwork. Made from up to 80 % recycled
materials, the blocks are strong and exceptionally light to handle,
facilitating the build process. Additionally, they are resistant to
moisture penetration which was a key issue considering the nature of
the building.
“It looks fantastic,” concludes Paul Markwell. “We see the building
as a testament to how blocks such as Thermalite Hi-Strength can
succeed both functionally and aesthetically.” The new boathouse is a
modern, low-maintenance building with all the facilities required to
operate an efficient rescue service and gives Clacton-on-Sea a
station to be proud of.
Email:
blocks@hanson.com
Arundel Jones Associates Ltd
Hill Farm, Linton Hill, Maidstone, Kent ME17 4AL
Tel : 01622 745333
news@buildingdesign.co.uk
Registered in England and Wales No. 07334149
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