Powdertech Corby powder coated the stunning ‘Oculus’ staircase which forms the focal point of Cardiff University’s new sbarc|spark centre. The finish is polyester powder coating RAL 2002 ‘Vermillion’ in high gloss.
The Project
Cardiff University now boasts a new flagship centre “sbarc|spark” which is set to be a magnet for talented researchers, graduates, entrepreneurs, student start-ups and academic spinouts across Wales. This will bring together stakeholders from all sectors to establish Cardiff University as a focus for new growth.
The new building, designed by award winning architects Hawkins Brown and built by construction company Bouygues UK, will become a hub for innovation and creativity. Covering 12,000m2 the sbarc | spark building features collaborative working spaces, a visualisation centre, auditorium and a fabrication lab.
The ‘Oculus’
As part of the interior, Hawkins Brown together with Taunton Fabrications designed a stunning, sculptural, open staircase occupying a slanting void. Oculus, Latin for eye, is often used in architecture to describe a small round window at the top of a dome that allows light to flood into a space. In this instance the open swirling staircase itself is designed to encourage engagement and collaboration between the varying departments and users of the sbarc | spark building.
Metal mesh specialists Amron Architectural supplied W-20/50 profiled wellTEC® for the balustrades surrounding the oculus staircase and for the cladding on the events pod.
The wellTEC® profile was a sinusoidal shape and had an R5T7 perforation pattern. We pre-treated and powder coated the profile, taking care to ensure powder coverage of all areas, into the perforations. The finish chosen was RAL-2002 ‘Vermillion’ with a high gloss level.
As the centre piece to the building the combination of the spiral design, perforated mesh and vibrant colour is outstanding.
The Benefits of Powdertech powder coating
- Striking finish achieved through using polyester resins system.
- High performance corrosion protection and weather resistance
- High level of colour and gloss retention
- Excellent durability and colour stability
- All powders are Qualicoat class 1 or class 2 approved
- Conform to BS EN12206-1and Qualicoat specifications
- Tactile finish on some shades
