Articles
The Rathbone Market Project
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Using the Roman Brick - what the architect had to say…
Lignacite’s Roman Brick is just the material we needed for Rathbone Market.Phase Two of the project sees the creation of the two connected public spaces at the heart of the overall development: a redefined market square and a new space welcoming the exit from an existing subway which runs beneath the A13 to the south of the site. Two more buildings continue the undulating ribbon which defines the public spaces and communal residents’ gardens. Whilst Phase One, ‘Vermilion’, was all about a shiny lightweight metal skin reaching for the sky, Phase Two is all about connecting with the ground, bringing people up and into the development from the subway or providing a robust setting for the activities of the market.
The Market Square is a large space, dominated by two towering London Plane trees. It is orientated north; towards the activity of Barking Road and away from the noise of the elevated A13. For this reason it has been important for us to create a space which is bright and sunny, even on the gloomiest of days. The majority of the facades at upper levels are clad with a terracotta rainscreen cladding system, glazed in shades of orange and ochre, which extend the palate of reds used on Phase One. For the ground floor, we wanted a more homogenous finish which would be robust and tactile, devoid of the open joints of a rainscreen system.The cladding would also need to mediate between the bright colours of the upper levels and the extensive clay pavers of the Market Square. Ideally it would also be suitable for the walls which define the level changes and landscaping at the exit from the subway, designed by Churchman Landscape Architects.Initial thoughts were to use polished precast concrete panels, however the cost proved prohibitive, and whilst repetition of formwork was possible for the building facades, the irregular surfaces of the landscape design were complex. Lignacite’s Roman Brick however has all the benefits of the flexibility of brick at a more affordable cost and their sustainability credentials were also an important consideration.We looked at a number of colours and aggregate mixes for the material and settled on a mix of 50% recycled brown glass and 50% flint within the off white Snowstorm block. This mediates well between the dark earthy tones of the clay pavers of the hard landscaping and the colours of the upper levels.The planners were particularly concerned at our proposals for ‘blockwork walls’, however the 75 x 450mm module of the Roman Brick removes all associations with such a utilitarian finish. Light bounces off the polished surface and the recycled aggregate provides real interest for the eye.
Contractors are starting to lay the blocks on site now and are doing a fantastic job. It’s a slow process, but the precise sharpness of the blocks and their gorgeous surface just cry out to be laid with care.
Adam West, CZWG Architects
Main contractor: John Sisk and Son Ltd
Bricklayers: D B Ryder & Co Ltd
