Case study: Glasshouse Gardens

Glasshouse Gardens is a development consisting of two residential towers at The International Quarter at Stratford, East London. Designed by Allies Morrison and with Lendlease as main contractor, Prater Ltd was selected to provide a complete building envelope. Prater in turn selected Birmingham Powder Coatings, a subsidiary of Tomburn Ltd., to provide powder coating and polyamide insertion.

The facade was installed using an innovative screen construction technique that required each floor of the 30 and 18 storey buildings to be completed within just 24 days with a level on both buildings being handed over every 8 days. To achieve this programme a highly collaborative approach was required; and Prater extended this requirement through to its own supply chain.

Prater Ltd Project Director Alistair Hill said 'We needed partners rather than suppliers on this project. We chose [Birmingham Powder Coatings] as the company was committed to managing the powder coating and polyamide insertion schedules of the Schüco window and door sections. This meant our factory production would always be at least 6 floors ahead of schedule. The quality of product and communication from BPC meant that the team kept its promise and this played a significant role in the success of this project for Prater.'