Alsecco Airtec lightweight ventilated rainscreen cladding was specified by Atkins for the major redevelopment of Farringdon Station as part of the north-south Thameslink Programme. Both Airtec Stone and Airtec Glass have been utilised on the project as the systems are completely compatible, with both systems being used on the interior facades as well.
Farringdon Station was the terminus of the world’s first underground railway. The historic station is being given a massive upgrade to preserve its heritage and provide space for the Thameslink and Crossrail services that will make it one of London’s busiest transport hubs, with 140 trains an hour at peak times. From 2018, Farringdon will be the only station where Thameslink, Crossrail and Underground services meet, giving passengers the choice to travel north-south, east-west and around London.
Ben Parry, commercial director, alsecco comments “This part of Farringdon Station was designed to create a feeling of light and space and the use of Airtec Stone and Glass has achieved that to great effect. It was also important to be able to combine the two finishes seamlessly which the Airtec system provides and that the same system could be used for exterior and interior use.
In total 2600m2 of lightweight Airtec natural stone panels, up to 3m in size, have been installed on the project; the finish being a beige-coloured Jura Limestone. 400 m2 of Airtec Glass panels, in white glass have been installed, again with panels up to 3m in height. The panels form part of the exterior facia of the station whilst also being used extensively through the ticket hall area and extending down the stairs onto the platform areas too.
The Airtec Stone system is based on a composite panel consisting of a top layer 8 - 10mm thick which can be made from almost any natural stone, bonded to a lightweight concrete base 19mm thick. This design is up to 66% lighter than solid stone panels, making the panels easier to work with and install.
The flexibility of the system means that panels can be up to 3.75m2 and shaped panels for reveals and interfaces at corners are also easily achieved. The Airtec panels are fixed with clips to an aluminium rail system, making the fixing themselves invisible. For safety and security reasons the joints between lower panels around the bases of buildings can be filled in with the upper joints being left open, which was an important feature for the exterior of the station.
Ben Parry adds “We were delighted to be involved with such a prestigious project in the centre of London and the fact that the Airtec system, with its exacting tolerances and sophisticated finish, has been used to great effect at this historic Station.”
