Skyline Architectural Aluminium soffits and column casings from Alumasc Water Management Solutions (AWMS) have transformed the entrance of Woolgate Exchange in London, as part of a significant office transformation project.
Originally built in the early 2000s, Woolgate Exchange has been repositioned as a modern workplace through a comprehensive refurbishment.
Designed by Stiff + Trevillion Architects for developers Stanhope PLC, the scheme has retained 98% of the existing frame, to create a sustainable, net zero-ready office destination.
The striking nine-storey building includes extensive terraces, over 20,000 sq ft of external amenity space, and a new rooftop pavilion with panoramic views of St Paul’s Cathedral.
Skyline Specification
Specialist contractor OAG was appointed to deliver the façade and entrance package. OAG specified Skyline Architectural Aluminium soffits and column casings at Woolgate’s main entrance, due to the system’s proven track record for design flexibility, high performance, and durability in challenging urban environments.
Skyline Architectural Aluminium is a market-leading collection of design-led solutions with a proven track record across many of the UK’s high-prestige buildings. Manufactured in the UK from superior lightweight aluminium, Skyline’s high-quality aesthetic perfectly complemented the impressive exterior of Woolgate Exchange.
The Skyline technical team worked directly with OAG from the outset, to design a coherant column casings and soffits system that maintained a stunning visual continuity across the building’s façade.
Bespoke soffits were manufactured in rebated and proud profiles, to form the external ceiling of the main entrance, whilst the column casings were supplied in round and square profiles, framing the entrance columns and extending vertically through floors one to four on the main frontage.
Challenges
AWMS and OAG met regularly on site and at the Skyline manufacturing plant, to ensure the project’s exact architectural and technical requirements were met. Every soffit panel and column casing was custom-made to accommodate the building’s unique geometry. Precision tolerances were essential at every interface and column junction, as any deviation would have been immediately visible on the finished facade.
Working within London’s Square Mile also required careful planning for deliveries, cranage, and site access, whilst timed deliveries of Skyline helped reduce on-site storage.
Additional façade and interior fit-out works were also taking place, requiring all teams to work in tandem to maintain precise programming. To this end, all Skyline panels and components were individually patterned and coded to assist efficient, phased installation.
Outcome
The Skyline soffit and column installation has transformed Woolgate’s entrance into an architectural feature fitting of the building’s prestige, with the practical performance qualities needed to face the rigourous everyday demands of a Central London workplace.
Ivan Colvil is Skyline’s Technical Sales Manager at AWMS, summarises: “Woolgate Exchange has set a benchmark for sustainable commercial refurbishment in London, and AWMS is proud to have been part of the exemplary teamwork that was accomplished throughout. We are delighted with the resulting Skyline installation, which has been a key contributor to the project’s architectural and technical success.”
Skyline Architectural Aluminium sits under the AWMS umbrella, as one of five brands well known for innovation, quality and longevity. The four accompanying brands are: Alumasc Rainwater Gutters & Downpipes, Harmer Building Drainage; Wade Building Drainage; and Gatic Civil Drainage & Access Covers. All five brands are synonymous with innovation, quality and longevity.
For more information call 01536 383810 or visit www.alumascwms.co.uk/brands/skyline/
