Sitting on the cusp of London’s vibrant Notting Hill, the Silchester Estate is a Modernist housing development comprising four 20-storey tower blocks.
As part of regeneration work on the estate, Ibstock Kevington supplied more than 270 precast concrete brick faced lintels. However, there were areas of the build where this solution was inappropriate, due to the location and complexity of the soffit or the span and depth of the opening. As such, a lightweight steel alternative was needed to provide greater design flexibility.
Working in close partnership with both the architect and main contractor, bespoke soffit and lintel solutions were designed for these areas using Ibstock’s innovative Nexus system. A large suspended brick soffit at the main entrance, too heavy and complex for a traditional precast concrete solution, was achieved via Nexus soffit units – a two-part solution that combines a high integrity stainless steel MDC brickwork support system from brick support specialist Leviat, fixed directly to the structural frame with Ibstock Kevington’s brick faced soffit units – resulting in a lightweight solution.
The end result is a striking, unique building, carefully designed to sit alongside the established blocks. The Silchester Estate will continue to serve as a shining example of the benefits of regeneration for North Kensington’s wider residential social housing portfolio.
