PROJECT SPOTLIGHT: Market Walk, Chorley
Specified by: AEW Architects
Project Overview
Bought by Chorley Council in 2013, with more than 30 shops and an outdoor parade, Market Walk in Chorley has undergone a major £17 million extension. The project includes a new six-screen Reel Cinema, an M&S Food Hall, an Escape Entertainment bowling and adventure golf complex and a Loungers bar and restaurant, along with public realm improvements.
Specification of Shackerley’s SureClad® Ceramic Granite system supports the project’s goal of enhancing the town centre both aesthetically and economically, delivering a high-end and resilient appearance for the facades.
We’re proud to have been involved in such a transformative project located on our doorstep.
Design Requirements
A key element of the strategy for constructing the Market Walk extension was to encourage local residents to stay and spend in Chorley, rather than travelling further afield to larger city centres or out-of-town facilities. The enhanced facilities are also designed to attract footfall from surrounding districts into Chorley for both retail and leisure activities. Consequently, it was important that the specification complements the character of the town and offers a high quality, enjoyable experience.
The building also needed to create impact using materials with a natural aesthetic that draws inspiration from the local built environment. Although the planning department initially required the use of natural stone, the SureClad® Ceramic Granite system was agreed as a practical and attractive alternative.
The architect also wanted a facade solution that would maintain high quality standards. Bernard Lam from AEW Architects comments: “The Shackerley SureClad® Ceramic Granite system provided cost savings as compared to natural stone and, because it is non-porous, those cost advantages will be felt throughout the lifespan of the building because the facade will offer a low maintenance solution. It will not discolour over time due to weathering and offers resistance to both algae growth and graffiti.”
Materials Used
Shackerley’s SureClad® Ceramic Granite system was used in Lopar; a creamy beige, natural colourway, which has natural variegation on each panel to give a natural stone-like appearance.
The installation used large format 1198mm x 598mm x11mm panels, which were installed as part of a Kingspan Façades’ Karrier Panel system. This innovative external envelope solution brings together Kingspan’s high performance structural insulating panels with the premium appearance and longevity of Shackerley’s fully-prefabricated ceramic granite cladding and the installation benefits of Shackerley’s Queen’s Award-winning SureClad® Access System.
The combined Shackerley and Kingspan system enabled cladding contractor, Axis Envelope Solutions, to make the building watertight with the installation of the structural panels prior to installation of the SureClad® facade. The completed hybrid system also delivers excellent airtightness and low U-values post installation, helping to ensure a high standard of comfort and energy efficiency.
We provided both standard prefabricated large format panels and bespoke requirements for projecting feature piers, reveals into glazing and door reveals.
