Woolwich Civic Centre Download / Print Project PDF
- Client: London Borough of Greenwich
- Architect: HLM
- Contractor: Wates
- Stones Used: Jura beige limestone
- Value: 500,000
- Completed: March 2011
- Scope of Work: External limestone rainscreen cladding, steel framing system (SFS)
Woolwich Civic Centre is a 19,000 m2, mixed-use development which incorporates civic office facilities along with a business centre, public library and public open space. The scheme embraces the Government’s ‘better ways of working’ initiative to enhance productivity while respecting the Grade II listed Town Hall building opposite.
In line with the mixed-use theme, the design incorporates four different façade materials which work in harmony with the contemporary design. Glass, aluminum, brickwork and limestone are all used effectively to create a façade which is both innovative and functional.
Main contractor Wates appointed Putney & Wood to carry out the stone cladding package. The contract combined the design, procurement and installation of Jura limestone with erecting the steel framing system and installing the aluminum rainscreen support to which the stone was fixed.
Putney & Wood’s designers worked closely with the project team and product suppliers to create an open-jointed, rainscreen cladding solution which satisfied both aesthetic and structural requirements.
40mm thick Jura was used for cladding on all four elevations. Each stone was manufactured with a continuous kerf-cut and individually fixed to the rainscreen support system behind. For the soffits, the thickness was reduced down to 30mm and stainless steel undercut anchors were used instead of the kerf-cut to fix the stone to the aluminum channels.
