Clarice Pears Building, University of Glasgow
The Project
As part of our £4.8M package of works, a large package in its own right was the supply and installation of bespoke joinery works and supporting SFS within the Central Atrium of the new Clarice Pears IHW building as part of the University of Glasgow Western Campus development in Glasgow’s west End.
Comprising Stil acoustic infill panelling around the perimeters forming bands and vertical arrangements on multiple floor levels, supported from designed Metsec SFS background framing. Full height column encasements consisting of FR MDF American oak veneered panelling and solid oak edgings, forming break points at various internal/ external corners enhancing the visual appearance across the floors.
Balustrading consisting of solid American oak sections and profiles provide further detailing blending in with the overall look of the Atrium, culminating in a Feature Staircase at Level 4-5 lined out with oak veneered panelling, oak roll handrails and solid oak flooring.
The work scope also incorporated the formation of large planter details constructed from oak veneered panelling adjacent to the main reception and Living wall elements providing the finishing touches.
Scope of Works
The installation works within the Central Atrium required working from both floor side and within the Atrium itself from a complex bird cage scaffold arrangement which meant working between floors, and close up against the face of the installation never really getting a full visual review of the works until the scaffold strip commencement.
– Multiple squads working on the main support frame taken off from structural slab edges and secondary steelwork proved challenging due to the irregularity and tolerances of the varying support background.
– Without the drawings, working sketches, etc., we relied heavily on our Supervisors experience and eye for detailing, whilst delegating and working with the joinery squads to ensure that overall quality of finish was being maintained over the course of the install.
– The Central Atrium itself on each level significantly varied on a floor-to-floor basis, with overhangs, recesses, acute corner and was broken up by continuous vertical internal/external column encasements, all formed from oak products whilst maintaining a uniformity of finish.
This project also received the Gold Award in the Specialist Installation over 1M category.