August 2018

Project Focus
LARGE PROJECT SEES DIFFERENT
MATERIALS COMBINE EFFECTIVELY
Total Contractor hears how collaboration helped this project run smoothly...
Roofdec has chosen rainscreen support and
fastening solutions from SFS for major
new building projects as part of its record
£9m cladding contract for the Thorpe Park Leeds
retail and leisure development.
The new retail and leisure park is a key part of a
126,000m² mixed-use development which is said
to be one of the most significant projects of its
kind in east Leeds for decades.
Working with main contractor GMI Construction,
who have been instrumental in the Thorpe Park
Leeds project since it started in 1999, Roofdec
was tasked with installing a mix of roofing and
cladding elements for the development’s new
retail units, cinema and other leisure facilities.
Roofdec’s contract involved 26,000m² of roofing,
with an external envelope utilising highspecification
cladding including the Kingspan
Benchmark Karrier system and
granite and limestone
rainscreen. In addition,
4,500m² of
aluminium
rainscreen
and 3,000m²
of stainless
steel panels
complete
the contract,
plus column
casings
together with
other areas of
Rodeca and aluminium
plank systems.
Two Nvelope rainscreen support systems were
used for the façade installation. The Nvelope NV1
system supports Tiles International (TI) 20mm
“We are delighted to
have been appointed to
help in the
construction of a
number of major new
buildings here and
partner with the
Nvelope & SFS teams”
Granite and Jura Beige Limestone panels, which
works in conjunction with a TI horizontal carrier
rail. This back frame configuration minimises the
number of brackets needed per square metre for
greater efficiency without compromise. NV1 is
also used to install Sotech Optima TFC rainscreen
panels, which are finished in Anodised Regency
Gold and Polished Stainless Steel.
Additional elevations feature 12mm
Marley Equitone Natura
rainscreen which was
installed using the
Nvelope NV3
support
system. This
provided a
secret-fix
solution for
excellent
visual appeal
of the finished
façade.
The high degree of
adjustability of both NV1
and NV3 enabled Roofdec’s
installers to achieve a superior quality installation
Above: Installation of cladding using the Nvelope rainscreen
support system on one of the buildings which form the new
Thorpe Park Leeds retail and leisure park.
with minimum hassle. All Nvelope support
systems are ‘designed for architects and built for
installers’, which means they enable architectural
visions to come to life without complexity and
deliver long-term integrity to match the design life
of the building envelope.
For the fixing of key elements of the façade, high
performance austenitic stainless steel fasteners
were specified. Here SFS products were selected,
including fasteners featuring a durable gold
powder-coated finish to complement the stunning
façade panels which are visible from the nearby
M1 motorway. Additional SFS stainless steel
fasteners were used to attach cladding panels
with a mirrored finish, again to deliver optimum
aesthetics.
Roofdec Managing director Jon Barnes Jnr said:
“Thorpe Park Leeds is a significant development
which is important for the future economic
development of Leeds and the wider city region.
We are delighted to have been appointed to help
in the construction of a number of major new
buildings here and partner with the Nvelope and
SFS teams to deliver a high quality result for the
client.
“It really has been a team effort from the
architects, design, supply shain, management
and obviously the operatives installing the
various complex specifications throughout the
project. It is a credit to everyone involved at the
standard of quality achieved and certainly one all
parties can be proud of.”
Contact SFS
0113 2085 500
www.sfsintec.co.uk
@SFSintec
64 TC AUGUST 2018