Petrarch reconstituted stone rainscreen makes its debut at the Filmworks

Architectural Panel Solutions is proud to present Petrarch’s debut at the Filmworks. Capturing all the ‘the glamour and splendour of the roaring twenties’ this latest scheme has now taken the lead in our ever-expanding portfolio. The result of an intensive and delicate restoration, architects TP Bennett have attentively preserved the art deco facade of Ealing’s former Empire Cinema and the outcome is outstanding for end client St.George, Berkeley Group.

For a building with such status and heritage, both St. George and TP Bennett turned to a rainscreen solution which would not only project exactly the right image, yet stand up to the most demanding requirements. As a mixed-use development, comprising 209 new homes overlooking a central square, lined with bars and restaurants, and an impressive double-height entrance foyer to the eight-screen Picturehouse Cinema, ‘the biggest outside London’s West End.’ it was vital that the chosen rainscreen could withstand numerous vying challenges. Thanks to a comprehensive list of intrinsic qualities; including extreme weather resistance, durability, longevity, impact and graffiti resistance, as well as BBA, CWCT and NHBC 2021 certification, Petrarch ticked all the right boxes and exudes pure elegance with its smooth Alabaster finish.

In the words of the architect – TP Bennett

‘A careful infill within an existing urban block, the scheme has been designed as a contextual response to the surrounding buildings in the conservation areas. Each perimeter facade is designed in a subtly different language, depending on the character of the particular street it is facing. The architectural language changes towards the interior, where the contextual red brick and stone have been complemented with a more contemporary materials palette, including dark blue brick with contrasting green-glazed brick inserts and bronze-coloured cladding laser cut with a distinctive, three-dimensional geometric pattern.’

A showstopper of a development

Tom Walker, the Business Development Manager for the region had this to say about the prestigious project: ‘We’re really pleased to have been able to supply our Petrarch engineered stone rainscreen to the impressive Ealing Filmworks scheme, clearly it captures the elegance of a decadent age and is timeless in its depiction. We are extremely  happy to be able to add it to our ever expanding portfolio.

The cinema and the complementary leisure offering are set to become a new centre for Ealing’s wider cultural quarter.

Petrarch – The natural choice

Petrarch reconstituted stone rainscreen is engineered to perform, boasting technical excellence backed with certification and a plethora of finishes and colours; allowing architects and designers to unlock the potential of their design and realise their vision. For almost 50 years it has been the preferred choice for leading architects and contractors.

Versatile and unique, Petrarch is created primarily from natural by-product materials; such as stone and marble. Highly durable and impact resistant, it’s considerably lighter than natural stone systems and is extremely weather resistant – designed to withstand the most severe environmental conditions, and like natural stone, it matures over time, giving character and depth to any architectural scheme.

Petrarch reconstituted stone panels are manufactured in the UK where the product has been supplied to the rainscreen industry for nearly 50 years. Thanks to a robust distribution network it also adorns buildings across the USA and throughout Europe. When combined with Downer the original Helping Hand framing system it offers a complete, fire resistant rainscreen solution.

To find out more about the Filmworks project, or to book a CPD, please get in touch quoting ADF08:

Project details

  • Rainscreen – Petrarch engineered stone rainscreen in Alabaster Smooth; 10mm Secret Fixed.
  • Developer/Client – St. George; Berkeley Group
  • Location – London, Ealing
  • Sector – Mixed Use & Retail, Residential
  • Scale – 8 screen cinema, 209 apartments, retail & restaurants circa 35,000 sq ft
  • Architect – TP Bennett
  • Installers – Richardson Roofing & The Goldsmith Group