Project Detail
Excel Group were approached by Black Grace Cowley, the agents for landlords Rose Estates, to assist with improvements to the existing façade of the Peveril Building. which had been temporarily shored up and stabilised for a number of years. An initial review of previous reports and construction details, combined with further site investigation concluded that remediation of the existing construction was economically unviable and that replacement façade was the best way forward.
The replacement of the building envelope presented an opportunity to replace a dated and unattractive façade with a contemporary elevation whilst also improving the thermal performance of the envelope, bringing the building up to current standards. The inner thermalite wall, internal wall finishes and building services together with the main concrete structure were all retained, adding complexity, but making this refurbishment overall as sustainable as it could be.
The selected scheme has a clear composition of base, Piano Nobile-like middle part and roof scape on its street facing facades. It has larger window openings on the ground floor to allow for a variety of uses with the first floor carparking ventilation areas incorporated into the double height openings to avoid a solid band of closed wall area at this level and giving the building a stronger rhythm.
The office floors above have large windows with vertical proportions, with the verticality further
enhanced by projecting columns marking each bay, and with slender aluminium window frames maximising the glass areas to allow for good daylight levels and uninterrupted views.
Other subtle changes included the central gable element being reclad clad in a dark grey finish to allow it to become part of the roofscape and the dormers surrounds at level 4 will being squared off to achieve an overall more contemporary appearance.
The use of a relatively light weight, prefabricated insulated brick slip system on a SFS superstructure was selected and the detailing developed to accommodate the tolerances of the existing structure as well as for speed of construction and to provide as much thermal performance improvement as possible. The light buff, slender brick provides a robust and durable façade, appropriate to the environment and weather conditions in this exposed location of Douglas, but was also gives an attractive and timeless finish and is lightening up the street scape.
The main entrance was remodelled, replacing a low dark corridor with a much larger, airy and inviting reception and a heated draught lobby with high-quality 3m high aluminium doors providing improved access for all users. Externally a low and shallow ‘feature’ canopy was replaced with a PPC aluminium-clad cantilevered canopy incorporating signage and lighting, all designed to provide a focal point and appropriately scaled entrance for a commercial building of this size.
Elke Zinnecker, chartered architect and architectural director of Excel Group comments: The site is one of the most prominent in Douglas, being the first building visitors arriving by boat experience as they exit from the Sea Terminal and the aesthetic and material palette were chosen to sit comfortably within the conservation area, whilst the contemporary design and proportions bring presence to what is once again an attractive landmark building.
Excel’s works demonstrate what good architectural and technical design can achieve, even under challenging circumstances, and how existing structures in town centre locations can be sustainably brought back into full and much improved use.