Canopies, Porte Cochère, Brise Soleil, Columns
15 Fetter Lane, EC4A, London. Brise Soleil, tapered column and canopy in Chocolate PVD stainless steel V-Grooved and folded to appear as solid bronze.
Architects: McBains Cooper
Client: British Steel Pension Fund Trustees Ltd
Fit-out: Nucom Interiors
PVD stainless steel & fabrication: John Desmond Ltd
An introduction to canopies, porte cochère, brise soleil and columns
A tired building façade means a downgrading of revenue achievable from rents. The introduction of canopies, columns and cladding can transform the look of an insignificant building and give it street-presence and gravitas.
Hanger-supported canopy
These are canopies that are held up by hanger-rods that are attached to the building’s front elevation. Often used in warehousing, retail and commercial buildings where posts would interfere with traffic flow and where the cost, or building structure, for a cantilevered canopy is prohibitive.
Post-supported canopy
This type of canopy is supported by posts which allows a deeper canopy than with hanger-rods. Covered walkways and porte cochère are usually created using a post system.
Cantilevered canopy
The support for these is integrated into the building itself and leaves the ground space beneath and around the canopy completely free.
See more on a cantilevered canopy retrofitted to 1 Broadgate Quarter
Brise soleil
This is a system of deflecting the sun’s rays using horizontal or vertical fins. Brise soleil can be integrated into the design of the building’s cladding creating a seamless appearance.
Columns
Essentially structural but frequently also decorative. However the interior column, or pillar, is formed it can be made to appear in a range of designs using cladding materials and can also provide a backdrop for signage and wayfinding.
Porte cochère
This is a covered area that can be driven through, generally seen used in very smart hotels and also healthcare facilities where patients need to be driven to the door.
Design, Fabrication and installation
The value of what we do is enhanced by the fact that we aim to be involved in a project at an early a stage as possible. This means that potential issues can be resolved even as early as the pre-design stage.
All elements and structures are 3D-modelled in advance, using Autodesk Advance Steel Modelling and BIM, so that they are then fabricated precisely and without waste. When the components arrive on site they can then be readily and accurately installed.
Contact Alex Pashouros, Project Manager, to discuss your requirements on 0203 325 9365 or email [email protected]
A selection of John Desmond Ltd projects utilising canopies, brise soleil and columns
Brise Soleil in Chocolate PVD textured stainless steel V-grooved and folded to appear as solid bronze. Fabricated and installed by John Desmond Ltd.
Office building, 15 Fetter Lane, EC4A, London.
Architects: McBains Cooper
Client: British Steel Pension Fund Trustees Ltd
Fit-out: Nucom Interiors
PVD in a bronze colour way, Chocolate, was the more lightweight and less costly alternative to real bronze whilst retaining its rich hue and aesthetic.
Frameless Glazed satin stainless steel canopy. Fabricated and installed by John Desmond Ltd.
Office building, 1 Broadgate Quarter, Snowden St, London, EC2A 2AW
Architects: John Robertson Architects.
The upgraded building design with fresh gravitas provided by the canopy has helped create a contemporary and enticing streetscape and attracted a lively mix of businesses to lease the office space.
Canopy, window glazing bars and façade inset diagonal detailing in Double Stone Steel PVD coloured stainless steel Rose Gold Mirror.
Kate Spade retail store, 4525 La Jolla Village Dr Suite D27, Westfield UTC, San Diego, California.
Mirror Rose Gold PVD was specified to create a stand-out store front in this shopping mall. The mirror finish PVD stainless steel was V-grooved and folded to appear as solid stainless steel.
Tapered column in Chocolate PVD stainless steel V-Grooved and folded to appear as solid bronze. Fabricated and installed by John Desmond Ltd.
Office building, 15 Fetter Lane, EC4A, London.
Architects: McBains Cooper
Client: British Steel Pension Fund Trustees Ltd
Fit-out: Nucom Interiors
The chunky tapered column clad in PVD coloured textured stainless steel adds presence and gravitas to the entrance.
Suspended ceiling, lighting and canopy. Over-sized suspended chandelier forming a canopy, created using a combination of stainless steel and bronze wire.
Ilot Fontenoy Ségur, building, Paris.
Architects: B. Architecture
Architectural mesh: Amron Architectural, Banker Wire
A contemporary element combining lighting and sculpture designed as a counterpoint to the Art Deco minimalist, monochromatic building originally designed by architect Andrè Ventrè.
Canopy in Chocolate PVD stainless steel V-Grooved and folded to appear as solid bronze. Fabricated and installed by John Desmond Ltd.
Office building, 15 Fetter Lane, EC4A, London.
Architects: McBains Cooper
Client: British Steel Pension Fund Trustees Ltd Fit-out: Nucom Interiors
The canopy unites the tapered column, Brise soleil and stone corner pillar into a unified and substantial façade created around the original relatively small scale entrance.
Materials, finishes and coatings
Architectural Mesh
PVD coloured stainless steel architectural mesh
Stainless steel Architectural Mesh is a strong and relatively lightweight product specified for interior and exterior applications. Brass and copper mesh, for example, can be replicated through the PVD process with a resulting product that will not tarnish or age.
See a range of mesh designs and applications and PVD colourways
PVD coloured stainless steel
PVD coloured stainless steel
PVD coloured stainless steel is a sustainable alternative to anodising and electro-coating both of which involve chemical baths. The PVD process uses heat and gas and produces no chemical waste products.
Textured stainless steel
Textured stainless steel
Textured stainless steel brings another dimension to specifying PVD coloured stainless steel. The range of embossed, surfaces provide tactile qualities as well as reflecting light in subtle ways which add to the creative possibilities when designing with this material.
Contact Matt, Estimating & Production Manager to ask about textured stainless steel.
Cor-ten
Cor-ten – Accelerated finish
Corten, also known as weathering steel, is designed to develop a rusty patina, making it corrosion-resistant and requiring no refinishing. John Desmond Ltd has developed a technique to expedite the patina formation process, enabling fabrication within commercial timescales.
Contact Matt, Estimating & Production Manager to ask about textured stainless steel
Patinated Brass
Patinated Brass
Left untouched, all brass would develop into patinated brass. However ready-patinated brass, created by John Desmond Ltd, already has an aged, richly-toned surface. This finish is stabilised with the application of a natural sealant making it suitable for interior and exterior applications.
Contact Alex via [email protected] to ask about a Cor-ten finish for your project.
Blackened Stainless Steel
Blackened stainless steel
The blackening of stainless steel actually increases its corrosion-resistance however is mostly specified for its gleaming appearance not easily achieved through other methods. A natural wax finish is applied which maintains the burnished look yet allows the material to patinate over time.
See how blackened stainless steel creates a dramatic staircase at Google headquarters
Marron Powder Coat
Marron powder-coat
The powder-coat colour Marron is an interesting extension to the range of John Desmond Ltd’s metal finishes. It has a bronze, metallic appearance and is a cost-effective way to achieve a rich, bronze finish for items such as planters.
Contact Alex via [email protected] to ask about Marron powder coat.
Vibration stainless steel
Vibration stainless steel
Vibration finish stainless steel is a versatile finish for stainless steel being non-directional and relatively non-reflective making it particularly suitable for exterior cladding. It is one of a range of finishes on stainless steel, including shot-peening and bead-blasting, offered by John Desmond Ltd.
See PVD coloured stainless steel in Vibration and other finishes and order a sample.
Shot-peened stainless steel
Shot-peened stainless steel
Shot-peening, also known as sand-blasting, increases the longevity of steel and is commonly used for aeronautical components. However it also has an interesting and versatile non-directional appearance and is consequently specified for its aesthetic as well as its relative non-reflectancy.
Find out more about shot-peened steel and stainless steel, call Matt on 020 8946 8295
Anodised aluminium
Anodised aluminium
Aluminium is a lightweight, corrosion-resistant and relatively inexpensive material. Through the process of anodising aluminium can be transformed into a range of around ten coloured finishes.With the application of powder-coating an extensive range of metallic and solid colours can be achieved.
See the domed gold anodised aluminium ceiling at Wood Lane Underground Station
Laser-cut metal
Laser-cutting
The laser-cutting of stainless steel, combined with PVD colouring and V-grooving provides a multitude of creative possibilities for interior and exterior applications. Laser-cutting can be used to create intricate patterns for items such as cladding, screens, balconies, balustrades and planters.
V-Groove Profile
V-grooving and folding
V-Grooving and folding of specialist or laser-cut material adds to the design possibilities for very finely crafted and intricate metalwork.
This process facilitates sharp bends which replicate solid bar material whilst being lighter, less expensive and easier to work.