Project summary

ASF produced a bespoke parapet barrier for a hospital roof garden in Southampton that satisfied loading requirements, came in below budget, and has an expected design life of over 100 years. Made in Britain using 100% recycled cast iron posts, this attractive curved design delivered impressive value for money.

Requirement

ASF was approached by Strata Design early in the project to help develop and manufacture a perimeter post and panel system for a roof garden at Southampton Hospital.

Initial design concept

Initial designs tabled by Strata detailed a stainless steel system with tension cables to form a barrier high enough to be effective but still unobtrusive visually.

There was no issue for ASF to develop a manufacturing solution for this, but to meet the required loadings and still keep to the values of the brief became financially non-viable.

Value-engineered alternative

ASF worked on a new brief to produce an attractively-engineered parapet barrier that satisfied loading requirements and was economical to produce and install.

Scott Chafer of ASF commented:

"This is where ASF, having our own foundry, became a huge benefit. Cast iron allows us to replicate posts to any design, in materials stronger than anything else on the market (with the exception of tungsten) if required, at a cost that works out to be a fraction of other metals, and out performs plastic and polyurethanes by any measure."

Solution

ASF Quayside post design adapted

After a few ideas and design sessions it was agreed that a beefed up version of the ASF Quayside post design combined with bespoke, heavy-duty steel panels would be used.

Posts were to be painted in Anthracite Grey and panels left galvanised. Panel and post interactions were reinforced with non- visible internal steel sleeves.

The whole system, fitted using a contractor known to ASF, ensuring all fixings were invisible.

Loading and budget requirements satisfied

The system met 3kN loading with no need to uplift the iron grade to a ductile (SG) grade, keeping the costs of the product well below the allocated budget for the project.

Key features and benefits of the Southampton Parapet

  • 100% recycled cast iron posts

  • 100% recyclable

  • 100% UK manufacture

  • Attractive Quayside curved design

  • 3kN loadings achieved, with even stronger material grades available if needed

  • Extremely impressive value for money

  • Quick to install

  • Expected lifespan in excess of 100 years

  • Material stability of the cast posts means they will achieve their full lifespan even if left unpainted

  • Made bespoke

  • Vertical infill and curved profile - anti-climb