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Project: Creative Foundation (Old Folkestone Glassworks), Mill Bay, Folkestone.
Client: Jenner Contractors
Background: The client´s vision was to transform a ´run down´ site near Folkestone Harbour into a centre where creative individuals and businesses could work and market their products.
The contractor selected Cook Fabrications for several reasons. As well as being a local company, we were prepared to involve ourselves actively in the design and development aspect of the project. Contracts of this size and value would normally be undertaken on the basis that the whole project should be designed, manufactured and installed within a sequential time frame, but, unlike other structural steelwork companies, Cook Fabrications was able to flexibly ´phase´ the work to accommodate the needs of the client.
The task: Cook Fabrications was involved from the early conception stage, assisting with the design of various structural steel frames. The main focus was on an area known as ´The Hub´, which was designed to replicate an upturned boat. Working alongside the main contractor, engineer and architect we were able to use our expertise to ´fine tune´ their concept into something that could be suitably manufactured.
The drawings for this contract were carried out in-house using our Strucad drawing package, which is capable of producing 3-D images. One of the benefits of this programme is that anyone running Windows can then download the images and drawings using a free Struwalker download.
Once our general arrangement drawings were approved by the client, the steel was ordered and the DSTV drawing files sent to the works. The steel was cut by our CNC Kaltenbach saw/drill line and the end plates and fittings by our CNC Esprit plasma cutter. When all the components were cut and clearly marked, a skilled fabricator was then given the task of manufacturing and assembling the framework using individual component drawings.
On completion, the steel frame was suitably primed, delivered to site and erected using a 50 tonne truck mounted crane.
The results: Both the contractor and the client have expressed their satisfaction with the work we have conducted on this site to date.