Metal Column Casings from specialists Pendock have been used to striking effect at the new West Cheshire College in Ellesmere Port.

The project forms Phase 1 of the new 19,500 sq metre Creative and Service Industries Campus which opened in September 2011. Phase 2 is due for completion in spring 2012.

Designed by Bond Bryan Architects of South Yorkshire, the landmark building boasts an iconic rotunda, which houses 100 of Pendock's decorative column casings with a Brushed Aluminium finish. Ranging from 2.5m to 12m in height and spanning 4 floors, the casings were installed by Pendock’s Approved Installer Leisure Structures Ltd of Runcorn, and make a significant contribution to the overall interior design of the Campus.

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Main Contractor BAM Construct UK, was tasked with reducing proposed build costs by 10% and immediately looked to revise the original specification of steel columns.

Adrian Moss of BAM, was the Project Manager at West Cheshire College, he explains the thinking behind the change in specification: "Having worked successfully with Pendock on previous projects, we were aware that the use of their Column Casings would negate the need for the proposed costly steel columns. The Pendock system allowed the use of a more cost effective cut of steel, which would then be enclosed in the casing, resulting in significant cost savings with the added advantage of the eye-catching finish we achieved using brushed aluminium."

Pendock's Technical Team was closely involved in numerous site visits during the installation, which required the use of specialist cherry-pickers due to the height and shape of the building.

(CD)