Introduction
Project: Monks Cross Shopping Centre, York. Pods 1 – 4
Client: GMI Construction
Project cost: £65,000 -70,000
Products: Solex Medera Oak Fins and Medera double louvre doors and sundries
The Monks Cross development has been a feature of York’s out-of-town shopping and is one of the UK’s prime regional shopping destinations since its opening in 1998 with 26 shops, attracting shoppers both locally and from afar. 21 years later, it was decided that Monks Cross needed a facelift.
The £15 million modernisation scheme would include a complete revitalisation of the public realm, the removal of part of the bus lane and in its place, construction of four new ‘refreshment pod’ units adjacent to the existing retail frontage and the main central car park. There has been a growing trend in retail parks to provide such facilities as a more convenient means of purchasing refreshments thus potentially increasing footfall through the shopping complex and creating a more relaxed and comfortable shopping experience.
Task
These newly-built pods required extensive louvre systems to the front elevations as well as co-ordinating double louvre doors, providing privacy and protection and a cohesion to the look of the pods and the general overhaul of the site itself. Solinear was delighted to be awarded this project as not only was it a project that Solinear could achieve great results with but Monks Cross is a mere eight miles from Solinear’s York HQ.
Action
With the usual attention to detail and meticulous planning, Solinear began designing the Medera louvre system and louvred doors for the pods. As soon as designs and budget were agreed, the manufacturing of the oak fins was able to proceed. With the louvres and doors prepared to leave our factory, they were ready to be installed by our highly experienced and qualified installers.
The blades were set at 45 degrees with 100mm (Medera standard pitch) vertical pitch fixed back to rear mounted support MT4 mullions at nominal horizontal centres across perimeter openings fixed to provide a continuous, unbroken front face louvre appearance for each side.
The double louvre doors manufactured with 3mm security mesh, stainless steel butt hinges, top door leaf friction stay plus a handle bolt fixed to inside of both doors for securing door in open or closed position. Also fitted with Solinear approved security lock and emergency push pad and assembled to open without clashing, allowing timber fins to align with surrounding screen.
Result
The Monks Cross project was completed in mid to late 2019 and one of the pods had already been snapped up, however, in early 2020, retail and catering facilities were forced to close due to Covid-19 and, unfortunately, the remaining pods could not be occupied. As the country begins to open up again, it will be great to see them in use and there is even rumour that these units could be used for other purposes including a creche, art gallery and shop and even a yoga and fitness studio.
However these pods are utilised, there is no doubt that the Solinear team is extremely proud of this project, creating a stunning seamless façade of fine quality oak fins. The honey-coloured oak is warm, inviting and hardwearing making it the perfect material for the facades of these great little units.
Gallery
