Benchmark Takes To The Stage

Backed by a team of expert project managers and designers, Benchmark provides a range of architectural facades and bespoke finishes to allow architects to boost the aesthetic appeal of a design and achieve a fully integrated building envelope.

Architects McCurdy Russell took full advantage of the inspirational facades in exciting colours, textures and finishes that Benchmark can offer; to create impact at the £4.5 million LH2 Studio in Acton, which has a striking blue and charcoal grey finish. 

Commissioned by NegEarth Limited - a company specialising in stage lighting installations for rock concerts, stage shows and events - London's premier entertainment production facility has already welcomed through its doors the likes of Kylie Minogue, Jamiroquai and Peter Gabriel; and the owners describe the 5,200m² facility from main contractors Galliford Try as a "blank canvas", where shows can be fully staged and put through their rigours before heading out on tour.

Galliford Try were employed as the main contractor to build LH2.  "This building is fully bespoke for the clients needs" which included a unique fully accessible roof space to allow the riggers to work in safety without the need for harnesses.

Aesthetically, 300m² of Anthra-Zinc^® Shingles on Karrier Panels create a show-stopping effect, framing the fully glazed conference rooms whilst providing the practical advantage of reducing solar gain to the south elevation of the building.  A contrasting back-drop is achieved through the use of Kingspan architectural wall panels finished in Kingspan Spectrum Kyanite Blue on the main studio and Silver elsewhere. Littleman Contracts Ltd had the job of installing the 600m² of Kingspan pre-engineered façade panels at the facility.  

Daren Newton, Littleman's Company Director said: "We have always found Kingspan systems to be uncomplicated to work with and effortless to install.  As a company we have been involved with Kingspan and now Benchmark on many projects and we have no hesitation in recommending their systems to our clients."

"The architectural wall panels and zinc cladding were specified by the architect; however the Benchmark Zinc Shingles were suggested by Littleman.  One reason for this was that the main façade could be clad with the Karrier Panels for the Shingles in a very short time, creating a fully weathered system and enabling follow-on trades to continue work, which would speed up the programme for the client.

"At LH2, we were able to install the Zinc Shingle System using detailed design drawings produced by our experienced team together with the invaluable help of the Benchmark technical department and Fabrications division." 

As you would expect from a building that uses as a sound stage, the external fabric at LH2 was designed to a very high standard of acoustic performance to minimise any environmental impact.  The architectural wall panels, which have a predicted single figure weighted sound reduction of Rw=25-50dB depending on thickness, were used to create a built up system of acoustic insulation, where cladding was applied to the retaining 2.1m thick, precast concrete perimeter walls of the studio.   

Other benefits will accrue from the panels' excellent thermal performance, which will significantly reduce heating costs for the large studio volume; and from the fact that the panels are virtually maintenance free.  Along with natural ventilation, incorporated within the built up cladding system, and independently controlled under floor heating powered by roof mounted air source heat pumps, this will contribute to a reduced carbon footprint for the building. 

Other facilities at the deluxe studio include: six band rooms, changing rooms, production offices, conference rooms and catering for 40 people; as well as dock loading facilities for six articulated lorries and additional storage space of 1,500m². 

All Benchmark products are manufactured and supplied under a quality system certified to BS EN ISO 9001: 2000 and are available with the Total Benchmark Guarantee.

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