When CAD Architecture was seeking paving products that could provide an attractive contrast to tarmacked roadways and a retaining wall solution for the new 23,500 sq ft Alphington Retail Park in Exeter, Tobermore provided a selection of products that would meet their design brief perfectly.
Intercounty Properties Ltd developed the project, which consists of retail warehousing and trade counter units, 74 new car parking spaces and the completion of a new link road, which transforms the retail park into a prominent and highly accessible area. The scheme is hoped to bring more visitors to the area and encourage investment .
The developer appointed Manchester based company, CAD Architecture, as the design consultant for the project. John Patterson, Associate Architect at CAD Architecture, explained that the vision for the landscape at Alphington Retail Park was for “block paving products to lend itself as a good contrast” to the surrounding tarmacked groundworks. It was also intended to connect retail outlets such as Frankie & Bennys, Chiquito and KFC, within the park.
Following a presentation from Tobermore’s North West sales team, John said he “gained trust” in what Tobermore had to offer due to the undeniable quality of the samples and technical information provided.
The architect went on to specify Tobermore Fusion block paving in the classic colour of Graphite and Mayfair Flags in the warm colour of Sandstone. Fusion and Mayfair Flags are contemporary products with a granite aggregate surface layer that produce a look similar to natural granite. The inclusion of Fusion and Mayfair Flags has created a stylish, modern landscape.
Mayfair Step Flags in Sandstone with a delineation strip was also installed to meet health and safety requirements. The aesthetics of the step product was the perfect choice for continuing the modern look created with Fusion and Mayfair Flags.
John Patterson underlined that the provision of retaining walls was an essential requirement for the scheme as the site is built on a flood plain. John was impressed with Tobermore’s Secura Grand mortar-free retaining walls and following a visit to the company’s 50 acre manufacturing plant at company headquarters, John said he “was convinced that the spec had to be changed to Tobermore”.
John had no doubt that Secura Grand was ideal for the project after seeing Tobermore’s innovative manufacturing process first hand. He said that he “was impressed by the help provided from the Geoman team, who work with Tobermore, on retaining wall structural details”. Price was also a big factor for John as the Secura range is such a cost-effective solution.
In addition, the dry building product offers ease of installation, is suitable for any size of project and guarantees a more efficient use of land.
Tobermore’s Garden Stone walling was also specified to create boundary areas on site between some outlets. Garden Stone is a tapered block and is faced on both sides, making it ideal for separating areas or creating curved features. This product is also mortar-free, thereby allowing a fast and simple installation process.
The final phase of the project involved the construction of a Starbucks outlet. Having been impressed with the Tobermore paving and walling products already installed on site, CAD Architecture was very happy to source a suitable product from Tobermore for the new building.
The ideal solution was Lansdowne facing brick in the mellow colour of Burren, due to its charming, aged aesthetic appeal that met the design brief for the Starbucks branding beautifully.
As with all Tobermore products, the best Iron Oxide pigments available are sourced to produce the rich, vibrant colours in the Lansdowne range. Lansdowne features excellent colour retention capabilities, ensuring that colours do not lose their vibrancy over time.
Additionally, CAD Architecture sourced Tobermore’s Engineering Quality Concrete Brick in the colour of Charcoal for the new Starbucks building to provide strength and durability for the build. Tobermore’s Engineering Quality Concrete Brick is manufactured from dense aggregates, providing high strength capabilities. The product is also frost resistant and offers low water absorption.
The final phase of Alphington Retail Park was completed in 2016 by Henry W. Pollard & Sons, who managed the construction throughout.
On reflection of the project, John Patterson said he was “very pleased with the overall scheme” and would “definitely recommend Tobermore products to other architects, contractors or developers”.
