Skyline Plaza looks its best with Sika

Sika's adhesive secret fix system for Rainscreen cladding, SikaTack, has provided Basingstoke's tallest building, the Skyline Plaza, with an aesthetic unmatched by traditional fixing methods.

Providing an invisible fix once applied, it ensured that once the 4,000 square metres of Rainscreen panels were installed upon the building during its GBP16 million refurbishment and transformation from offices to residential apartments, nothing would encroach upon the cladding's appearance.

The structure, formerly home to IBM, has been dramatically renovated by Berkeley Homes to create 225 new apartments along with two new storeys, taking it to a total of 19 storeys.

To make sure that it stood out along the skyline a cladding featured an Italian Walnut finish was specified.

This provided a strong contrast against the buildings existing white cladding.

Specialist contractor, MPG Contracts, recommended that Sika's SikaTack would provide a far superior finish as, unlike traditional Rainscreen cladding fixing techniques, it would leave no unsightly fixings visible that would tarnish the facades overall look.

Having used SikaTack on numerous projects previously, MPG Contracts was assured that it would deliver the finest appearance.

Plus, with SikaTack approved by the British Board of Agrement and accredited by the highest standard of quality assurance, ISO 9001/EN29001 it was guaranteed a secret fix that was fully proven to deliver the highest standards.

Throughout the project, Sika worked closely with MPG Contracts to ensure that it was able to provide Berkeley Homes with nothing but the best results.

As part of the company's service it personally visited the site and provided members of MPG Contract's staff with comprehensive practical and technical advice and tuition.

Requiring no screws or brackets, SikaTack utilises elastic bonding technology to fix panels to the structure.

A carrier frame fitted upon the building is first cleansed using Sika Cleaner 205.

These and the Rainscreen panels are then primed by SikaTack Panel Primer.

A temporary support is created using special 3mm thick black double-sided tape to hold the panels during the bonding process.

Once a SikaTack Panel Adhesive is applied the panels are then fitted immediately into position.

Once set the cladding remains firmly bonded to the structure.

Daniel Kiff, Project Manager, MPG Contracts stated, "The biggest advantage of SikaTack is simply that you cannot see it".

"This means we can provide architects with a completely seamless facade".

Tried and tested to extreme conditions and back, the SikaTack system has been officially proven to perform without any reduction in performance.

This means that the elegant visual's that grace the Skyline Plaza will continue to remain as strong as they are today.

An imaginative conversion by Berkeley Homes, once completed Skyline Plaza will provide a high quality residential apartment destination.

The 225 stunning private apartments range from studios and 'Manhattan' suites, through one and two-bedroom apartments to duplex penthouses with glorious views on the 18th and 19th floors.

Berkeley Homes is renowned for the quality of its developments and Skyline Plaza is no exception.

All apartments include fully-fitted kitchens and bathrooms, and all are pre- wired for Sky+ with multi-room links.

A concierge service, launderette and creche will be on site once the development is fully completed.

Skyline Plaza is popular because of its central location in Basingstoke which boasts excellent communication links.

Basingstoke Station is within easy walking distance, providing fast trains to London Waterloo in approximately 44 minutes.

Reading and Southampton are also easily accessible by rail, while the M3, leading to London and the major south coast ports of Southampton and Portsmouth, is at the southern edge of the town.

To the west, the A34 provides good access to the North and the M4.

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