Envelope specialist Prater is currently working on the roof and facade packages for Phase 3 of Sky Television’s new campus in Osterley, west London, which includes the offsite construction of complex timber roof cassettes with 417 roof lights.
The project follows on from the earlier award-winning Believe in Better building, designed by Arup Associates.
The award-winning Believe In Better building
The third phase of work on Sky television’s new technology park at Grant Way, the largest glue laminated timber project delivered so far in the UK, is also a show-case for off-site engineering on a number of levels.
Prater is partnering with key suppliers to create a modularised solution to enclose the 17,000 sqm building, while working to a tightly compressed timetable.
Main contractor Mace engaged Prater early on in the pre-contract period, in order to unitise the roof package.
While the overall design is by PLP Architecture, Prater took responsibility for the detailed roof design, carrying out a comprehensive programme of testing in relation to fire, acoustics and impact.
Mock-ups were created both for approval on site and also testing at the various specialist laboratories.
There are also some 417 roof lights in three different sizes and a large area of PV panels to be incorporated. The only practical solution was to create cassettes off-site, which could be craned into position.
In addition, Prater was also awarded the facade package in order to help streamline the whole contract.
