FP McCann Precast Concrete Architectural Facade Panels and Balconies Feature on Luxury Hyde Park Development

Project: Park Modern Residential Development, Hyde Park London

Client: Fenton Whelan

Designer: PLP Architecture

Main Contractor: Anti Yapi UK

Supply and Installation: FP McCann (RLH Construction)

Products Supplied: Precast Concrete Acid-Etched Curved Facade Panels; Natural Stone Inlaid Precast Concrete Panels; Sandstone Colour Matched Precast Concrete Curved Balconies

FP McCann's architectural facade division has supplied and installed bespoke acid-etched precast concrete cladding units, stone inlaid precast panels and precastbalconies to envelope a brand-new 190,000 sqft luxury residential development overlooking Hyde Park, London.

“Park Modern” is a nine-storey building comprising 57 high-end one to six bedroom apartments, amongst some of the most prestigious in Kensington. Residents in the development have access to valet parking, a resident’s lounge, a 25-metre pool, gym, spa, cinema, and treatment salon.

Completed earlier this year, the super-prime £500 million design and build project for client Fenton Whelan, was awarded to central London based construction company Ant Yapi UK Ltd.

Unique to Park Modern’s design is an undulating precast concrete sandstone look façade and curved precast balconies working in combination with complimentary smooth natural stone slips inlaid in precast cladding panels. Designer PLP Architecture inspired by the surrounding parkland, used the setting to create natural lines to allow the building to sit comfortably within the Hyde Park landscape.

Recognising FP McCann’s experience in this field, Ant Yapi UK along with PLP Architecture approached the Company to quote for the design, supply and installation of the three key precast concrete architectural elements.

On securing the contract FP McCann employed structural installation partner RLH Construction Ltd to undertake the panel façade build using free issued tower cranes, significantly reducing the need for any scaffolding on the building. The balconies delivered on a supply only basis, were fitted by building frame specialist Modebest, who also installed decks and floors on behalf of Ant Yapi UK.

In total, 192 FP McCann precast concrete cladding units were fitted by RLH Construction of which, 106 are acid-etched sandstone-coloured curved panels and 86 are inlaid natural stone panels with the exposed precast concrete faces having an acid-etched sandstone coloured finish. 96 sandstone colour-matched curved balconies completed the order, with all products manufactured and delivered on a just-in-time basis from FP McCann’s Littleport factory in Cambridgeshire.

Commenting on the Park Modern build, Chris Watson, Senior Planner for Ant Yapi UK says, “This construction approach demonstrated a number of efficiencies compared with practices associated with a traditional build. The off-site manufacturing of the architectural cladding panels and balconies offered significant advantages in terms of product quality and integrity. On site, speed of construction, minimising waste and the ability to work uninterrupted in all weather conditions were all major benefits. Additionally, the external precast facade system removed the need for scaffolding and wet trades, thereby minimising the health and safety risk factors associated with people working at height”.