The regeneration of 368 high-end apartments at West Bar, part of a £300 million regeneration scheme at the heart of Sheffield city centre, was completed ahead of schedule and to an excellent standard, leading to Wing Plastering winning the contract for two high-rise apartment blocks at Whitehall Riverside. Both buildings offer prime city centre accommodation, necessitating a high-quality finish without compromising on delivery timescales.
Knauf Airless Finish was the ideal solution to deliver on project requirements, forming a highly efficient spray plaster alternative to traditional methods for finishing walls and ceilings. Quicker to apply, creating less wastage and using less water than traditional finishing methods, Knauf Airless Finish also provides a higher-quality finish and does not need a mist coat.
Jon Kirk, Area Sales Manager, Knauf UK & Ireland, comments: “Utilising Airless Spray within a full Knauf system can achieve a level 5 finish with rapid application and exceptional bonding strength, allowing two people to cover up to 250m² per day. This innovative approach not only accelerates project timelines but also enhances durability and finish quality, reducing the need for post-application returns.”
After seeing the system’s benefits at West Barr, the main contractor did not hesitate to choose Knauf Airless Finish for Whitehall Riverside.
Mark Hubbard, Director at Wing Plastering, explains: “West Bar was our client’s first project in the region using Knauf Airless Spray, and we had only used it once before. However, the outstanding results were quickly apparent, and this directly led to the job at Whitehall Riverside, where we are on track to deliver 500 high-quality apartments in a little over six months, an unbelievable rate of efficiency.
“The support from Encon & Nevill Long and Knauf UK & Ireland has been key to helping us achieve this. I have a strong relationship with the team at Encon & Nevill Long Leeds, Vidette Smith [Business Unit Manager – Nevill Long] and Jon at Knauf have done a marvellous job in making sure we have what we need, when we need it.”
The efficiency savings made by using Knauf Airless Finish could easily have been undone by delivery delays, so it was imperative for deliveries to arrive on time and in-full. Encon held regular catch ups with Wing Plastering to track progress and leveraged our longstanding relationship with Knauf to ensure materials were available when required on both projects.
Vidette adds: “We’re really pleased to have been able to assist our customers in delivering success for their client at both West Barr and Whitehall Riverside. These projects have demonstrated how Knauf Airless Finish opens new opportunities for customers to modernise their plastering methods, and I’m excited to help more customers benefit from the system going forward.”
Knauf Airless Finish is available from Encon & Nevill Long’s national branch network. Learn more about Knauf Airless Finish.
West Bar Project Overview:
Architect: 5Plus Architects
Main Contractor: Bowmer + Kirkland
Specialist Contractor: Wing Plastering Ltd
Manufacturer: Knauf UK & Ireland
Distributor: Encon & Nevill Long Leeds
External photo supplied by Knauf. Internal photos supplied by Wing Plastering.
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