Mapleton Crescent has excited the general public and commentators for two key reasons – its stunning appearance and its mode of construction. The twenty-seven-storey tower was modular built, all units being factory-constructed, complete with paint, windows and internal fittings. The units were fitted into place by crane, one storey being completed each day with no need for an additional frame because the units have a structural function in supporting each other. This is a prime example of modular build, a system which omits so much of the inconvenience of a building site. There is no need to store materials on site, virtually no on-site waste, a significant reduction in material transport and no down-time through dependence on favourable weather.

The exterior is surrounded in beautiful aqueous blue-green faience - glazed architectural terracotta tiles. Powdertech Corby powder coated 7000 m² of aluminium for the flashings, soffit panels and window reveals and over 200 m of galvanized steel balustrade for thirty-four balconies in a carefully chosen shade to complement the eye-catching tiles. A low-sheen metallic shade from the Powdertech Anomatch™ range was selected. Powdertech also had a role in advising the jointing detail of the steel infill baluster for the balconies, ensuring that its shape allowed full and effective galvanizing prior to powder coating.

“This building has certainly set a new high standard for modular builds,” commented Richard Besant, Powdertech Director, “We are very proud to have added our powder coating expertise to the project.”