Screening with a Gilberts difference at the British Film Institute

Continuity has been taken to new lengths at the British Film Institute’s latest screening; referring to the architectural louvres concealing and ventilating plant on top of the redeveloped BFI Southbank bar and restaurant, supplied by Gilberts.

The bar, designed by the project architects Carmody Groarke, underneath the Grade II listed Waterloo Bridge, features Gilberts Blackpool-manufactured louvres that have been meticulously and precisely engineered to follow the bridge contour, whilst maintaining blade alignment.

In total, some 50 linear metres of louvres with integrated door sets, ranging from 2480mm to 4039mm in length, and on average 2000mm high, have been fixed into place, along the roofline, and dog-legging round the elevations of the two rooftop plant rooms.

This effectively, and also aesthetically, screens the plant rooms from people on the venue’s rooftop outside balcony which spans the width of the bridge and beyond, whilst ensuring the plant still achieves adequate ventilation.

To address the gradual curvature of the bridge underside, the blades, mullions and blanking for each section had to be cut to shape.

The louvre blades had to be carefully positioned on each section to maintain a continuous alignment for aesthetic purposes; particularly an issue as the venue’s mood lighting illuminating the underside of the bridge is concealed behind the louvre screening.

Gilberts supplied and installed the louvres, cutting blades to suit on site to ensure accurate length and curvature, and alignment of the louvre blades above the doorsets.

With further attention to detail, aluminium bird guard was used to eliminate risk of cigarette ends being blown into the louvres when discarded by people smoking on the balcony.

Ian Rogers, Gilberts’ Sales Director, commented: “The mood lighting has the ability to change colour to suit the BFI’s events programme, so is a focus for visitors, particularly those on the balcony.

“It was therefore vital that the louvre alignment and finish, being so visible, reflected the quality of the whole redevelopment.”

Contact:

Gilberts of Blackpool,
Gilair Works,
Clifton Road,
Blackpool,
FY4 40T

Phone: 01253 766911
Fax: 01253 767941

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