The Challenge

The Meadows, with its unique curved shape and multiple roof levels, presented us with plenty of challenges to tackle throughout the project.

Retaining aesthetics was the first challenge the team needed to take on. The curved design meant we would need to adapt our materials and installation technique beyond our normal practices to ensure we could retain the smooth, curved shape and overall aesthetic of the building.

Coordination was also tricky. The design of the building included a roof with multiple levels, which meant the order in which we tackled our portion of the project would impact several other trades and contractors on site at the same time. If we got our communications and timings wrong, there would have been delays to the other renovation works going on around us, as well as complications with material deliveries and storage.

The multiple roof levels also meant we needed to think on our feet when minor design issues arose mid-project. As is common on projects like these, we needed to step in with our own design solutions to ensure we finished with the correct interface detailing between each roof level.

The Approach

Creating the curve

As with all flat roofing installations, we needed to finish the project by installing a series of straight 3-metre lengths of aluminium capping to the building parapet. On a curved structure, however, this process required a little adaptation on our part. To make sure the building retained its curved look, we shortened the lengths of the capping sections from 3 metres to 1.5m, which allowed us to gradually curve the edge and give the building the smooth, neat finish our client needed.

Maintaining levels of communication

To keep this project on track, we needed to establish a strong system of communication with the site’s plasterers and other interior contractors to organise a clear working schedule. We agreed to start our work at the lowest roof level and make it watertight so they could get started on the interior works as soon as possible. We then continued to provide regular updates so the other contractors could return to site and organise material deliveries at the appropriate times, while we continued working our way up the roofing levels.

Adapting design decisions

Complex projects with multiple roof levels often present design challenges along the way, and in this case we needed to think on our feet to make sure the interfaces between the various levels were correctly installed.

Without detailed drawings to help us, we used our expertise to fill the design gaps and keep the project going with the help of regular coordination with the bricklayer on site. As we typically come prepared for situations like these, we already had the right materials on hand to create the correct standard finishing details between the edge of our single ply roofing membrane and the vertical brickwork that led to the next level.

The Results

The key success criteria for this project included maintaining the smooth aesthetic of the curved structure, while making sure the project stayed on track amidst a complex overlap of different trade schedules. Because we were able to successfully adapt our installation techniques and employ our well-honed communication and coordination skills on site, the project came in right on time and with the high-quality aesthetic finish the client required.

And the project didn’t end there. Following our completed works, the client was soon back in touch to request further help with another area of roofing that required attention, and we were more than happy to step in once more.

If you have a complex project with unique features, we’ve got the expertise and creativity to ensure a high-quality aesthetic finish no matter what the challenges. Get in touch via our contact page and tell us what you need; we’ll do the rest.