July 2006
Framing Division
METSEC INFILL WALLING LIGHTENS THE LOAD AT DEVONSHIRE COURT

Over 12,000m² of Metsec infill walling has been used as a fast, efficient and lightweight way to enclose Berkeley Homes' Devonshire Court development of luxury apartments on the seafront at Eastbourne.

Metsec's SFS site fix light gauge steel framing system provided the infill between the main concrete frame members to create 89 two and three bed, high specification apartments and penthouses on the site of a former swimming baths. The two apartment blocks range between five and nine storeys high and feature bay windows to maximise space and views.

Erected in just 30 weeks by steelwork specialists BR Hodgson, SFS was specified as the quickest and cleanest way to achieve early dry envelope on the 64-week construction programme. The 150mm steel stud and track sections were delivered in phases as cut to length components and screwed together on site. The repeatability of the precision-engineered cold roll-formed sections enabled the fast installation of the infill walling and was an important factor in ensuring the accurate setting out and lining up of the complicated bay windows.

SFS' high strength to weight ratio was another factor in its choice as build method. Providing a lightweight solution can help to minimise the thickness of the foundation slab required.

As well as providing high acoustic and thermal performance, the SFS infill walling gave lateral support for Devonshire Court's Sto render external finish. The quality of the project's façades has been recognised with a special commendation for BR Hodgson in the prestigious annual Plaisterer's Trophy awarded by the Federation of Plastering and Drywall Contractors.

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