Hayes Crown Trading Centre
Where: Crown Trading Centre, Hayes
Who we worked with: JJ Rhatigan, LDA Design, and A N Construction (for Greystar)
What: High-rise housing development in West London featuring 407 residential units and a landscaped podium built over a blue roof system.
The Hayes Crown Trading Centre is a £109 million residential development located in West London. Delivered by principal contractor JJ Rhatigan on behalf of client, Greystar, the project comprises 407 residential units across six buildings. These include 318 Build-to-Rent apartments, 54 Affordable Rent units, and 35 Shared Ownership homes. In addition to the residential offering, the development incorporates five shell-and-core commercial units, landscaped podium gardens at first-floor level, and a car park situated beneath the podium.
The architectural design was led by LDA Design, with A N Construction Solutions appointed as the specialist contractor responsible for both the blue roof membrane and the landscaping works. The integration of these two disciplines presented a unique technical challenge: the need to install fencing on a blue roof system without compromising its waterproofing integrity. This was particularly important given the high-rise nature of the buildings and the requirement for long-term durability and stability in all external elements.
Birkdale was commissioned to provide a fencing solution that would meet these complex demands. The brief required a system that was structurally sound, visually cohesive with the wider development, and crucially, non-invasive to the blue roof membrane. Early collaboration was essential. Birkdale worked closely with A N Construction Solutions to ensure that the fencing system could be integrated without puncturing the waterproofing layer. This involved detailed design consultations, sample reviews, and the development of a bespoke fixing method that would allow for secure installation without compromising the roof system.
The solution specified was based on Birkdale’s DuraPost® system, incorporating DuraPost® Classic Posts and DuraPost® Corner Posts for structural framing, DuraPost® URBAN Rails and Infill Panels for a clean, modular appearance, and DuraPost® PRIMA Gravel Boards to retain bark mulch and support soft landscaping. The fencing was constructed to a height of 1.2 metres, with black posts and rails paired with Sepia Brown boards to complement the surrounding brickwork and architectural finishes. All components were colour-matched to the development’s material palette, ensuring a seamless visual integration with balcony finishes and planting schemes.
A key innovation in this project was the bespoke installation method developed in partnership with A N Construction Solutions. This approach allowed the fencing to be securely anchored without penetrating the blue roof membrane, preserving the integrity of the waterproofing system while maintaining the structural stability required for a high-rise environment. The result was a fencing solution that met all performance, aesthetic, and sustainability criteria.
The DuraPost® system was selected for its modularity, galvanised steel durability, and ease of installation. Its low-maintenance profile and long-term resilience made it particularly well-suited to the demands of social housing and high-density residential developments. The streamlined installation process also contributed to maintaining the project timeline, a critical factor in large-scale construction.
This project exemplifies the importance of early engagement between manufacturers, architects, and contractors in overcoming complex technical challenges. By working collaboratively from the outset, Birkdale was able to deliver a fencing solution that not only met the functional requirements of the site but also enhanced the overall design language of the development. The Hayes Crown Trading Centre stands as a model for how thoughtful specification and integrated design can elevate the quality and usability of shared outdoor spaces in modern housing schemes.
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