DLA Architecture specify Forticrete masonry for Blackpool 6th form
Decorative Regency Ashlar masonry blocks, Quoins and Copings from Forticrete, the UK's leading manufacturer of masonry products, have been specified for the redevelopment of Blackpool Sixth Form College, which provides advanced level education for 16-19 year old students across Blackpool and the Fylde Coast.
The stunning college boasts state of the art facilities, including a new theatre with adjoining performing arts spaces, a learning resource centre, and new teaching provision for departments including Sciences, Maths and English. As architects for the project, DLA Architecture specified Forticrete's Regency Ashlar masonry in Bath colour, with the aim of creating a modern, crisp looking building which reflected the college's aspirations to support modern teaching practices and meet the needs and expectations of its pupils.
Stephen Hepworth, Associate at DLA Architecture, commented: "It was essential that we specified bold and contemporary products that provided a sustainable, cost-effective alternative to natural stone guaranteed to stand the test of time. Forticrete's decorative Cast Stone Ashlar blocks ticked all the boxes, and helped deliver the modern and stimulating finish we envisaged."
Alan Lloyd, Vice Principal Resources & Information Systems at Blackpool Sixth Form College, commented: "We are committed to providing our pupils with the ideal environment that they can not only work within, but ultimately enjoy and excel in. Following our extensive programme of redevelopment, the new campus does exactly that."
The design of the college boasts a natural palette of cast stone and timber which contrasts with the crisp clean lines of metal and glass panels. Repeating heavy cast stone 'fins' provide an earthly presence, anchoring the built form firmly to the ground, with lightweight infills of glass, metal and timber providing suitable counterpoints. In addition, the crisp lines of aerofoil blades to the critical elevations provides a level of modest concealment and solar shading. A landscaped buffer to the front of the college offers a soft natural setting for the new campus building whilst contemporary landscape interventions are created in the extensive courtyard for easy access across the site and social gathering spaces.
Forticrete Regency Ashlar is manufactured from high grade limestone and sandstone aggregates that have been chosen for their known performance and reliable quality. The cement, pigments and waterproofing agents all conform to their appropriate British or European Standard.
Forticrete Regency Ashlar is created from a homogeneous mix, without using a 'backing' material that ensures no undue stresses are built up within the unit. The major technical performance characteristics of Regency Ashlar exceed the requirements of BS 1217 and the United Kingdom Cast Stone Association specification.