2026 Avendale secures £2 million Façade Replacement and cladding Remediation to major broadcasting facility
Avendale secures £2 million Façade Replacement and Remediation to major broadcasting facility
Avendale secures £2 million Façade Replacement and Remediation to major broad facility
This project involved the delivery of a complex façade replacement and refurbishment package to a major commercial broadcast facility. The building forms part of a high-profile media estate, requiring both technical precision and careful coordination within a live operational environment.
The scope combined full façade replacement in targeted zones with specialist coating applications to retained elevations, delivering a hybrid solution that balanced performance, cost efficiency, and programme constraints.
Project Context and Existing Façade Condition
The existing façade system comprised a combination of curtain walling, cladding panels, and glazed elements typical of large-scale commercial developments. Over time, sections of the envelope had experienced material degradation, weathering, and loss of performance, particularly in areas exposed to prevailing environmental conditions.
Key issues identified during the initial survey phase included:
- Deterioration of external finishes and protective coatings
- Localised failure of seals and joints affecting weather tightness
- Surface-level corrosion and staining in exposed façade zones
- Variations in thermal performance across different elevations
Given the scale of the structure, a full façade replacement across all elevations was neither necessary nor commercially viable. Instead, a targeted intervention strategy was developed.
Hybrid Façade Strategy: Replacement and Coating Integration
The adopted solution combined two primary workstreams:
1. Full Façade Replacement (Targeted Areas)
In zones where the existing system had reached the end of its serviceable life, full façade replacement was undertaken. This included:
- Removal of existing cladding and curtain wall components down to structural backing
- Inspection and localised repair of the primary structural frame
- Installation of new high-performance façade systems designed to meet current thermal and weathering standards
- Integration of modern fixing systems to accommodate structural movement and improve long-term durability
Careful detailing ensured compatibility between new and retained façade sections, maintaining visual continuity across the building envelope.
2. Specialist Coating Application (Retained Areas)
Where the underlying façade remained structurally sound, a refurbishment approach was adopted using advanced coating systems. This involved:
- Comprehensive surface preparation, including cleaning, abrasion, and removal of degraded finishes
- Treatment of localised defects such as corrosion or minor substrate damage
- Application of high-performance protective coatings designed to restore weather resistance and extend service life
Avendale worked closely with UAV coatings in the UK to carefully select products for their durability, UV resistance, and ability to accommodate thermal expansion and contraction without cracking or delamination.
Access and Installation
Due to the scale and height of the building, façade works were delivered using a combination of:
- Mast climbers and mechanical access platforms for vertical elevations
- Scaffold systems in areas requiring intensive replacement works
- Rope access techniques for localised interventions and inspection
This multi-method approach allowed for efficient progression across different façade zones while maintaining flexibility in response to site conditions.
Live Environment and Operational Constraints
As an active broadcast facility, the building presented significant operational constraints. Maintaining uninterrupted service was a key project requirement, influencing both programme sequencing and working methods.
Measures implemented included:
- Phased façade works to isolate operationally sensitive zones
- Strict control of noise, vibration, and dust generation
- Coordination with building management to avoid disruption to critical infrastructure
- Controlled delivery schedules to minimise impact on site logistics
All works were carried out in compliance with stringent health and safety protocols appropriate to a high-occupancy commercial environment.
Outcome
The completed façade works significantly enhanced the performance and longevity of the building envelope. By combining selective replacement with advanced coating technologies, the project achieved a cost effective and technically robust solution tailored to the condition of the existing structure.
The building now benefits from:
- Improved weather resistance and durability
- Enhanced visual consistency across elevations
- Extended lifecycle of retained facade elements
- Reduced long-term maintenance requirements
Avendale demonstrated the effectiveness of a hybrid façade strategy on large scale commercial properties, particularly where full replacement is neither necessary nor practical.
Cladding and Façade replacement enquires:
James Williams
info@avendale.co.uk
www.avendale.co.uk
Avendale is a leading international construction group. We finance, build, refurbish and maintain diverse, complex, buildings and infrastructure in the UK and the Middle East. Our constant innovation and business development provides the foundation to support our clients, creating a trusted reliable transparent journey towards their project goals. Avendale is trusted by some of the largest companies and organisations in the world to repeatedly deliver results on time and in budget.
