Barking Town Hall

Project: Barking Town Hall
Client: LB of Barking & Dagenham
Main Contractor: Barnes Construction
Project Value: £450,000
Architects: LAP Architects & Interior Designers


Barnes Construction tendered and won the two-stage project as part of the design & ventilation strategy.
The windows exceeded 2.5m in height and over 1.2m in width but every single window slides up and down smoothly with minimum effort required.
The architects LAP, worked together with Masterframe to provide the final specification to produce a pilot window which was installed in the building by Asset Fineline in order for planners to confirm design approval.
The first delivery to site was 16 May 2017 and phase one was completed in August 2017, the 2nd phase commenced in October 2017. Mark Tyrrell, Senior Design Manager from Barnes Construction said “The site survey installation and general performance was very good and to an excellent standard, meeting our performance and quality requirements.”
LBBD changed their brief on the project, moving away from a modern aluminium composite window to a like for like PVC-u replacement of the large timber sash windows.
The challenge was to find a product and manufacturer that could provide a product that was aesthetically true to the original windows and retained the overall character of the Town Hall. The “like for like” appearance was essential to satisfy the planning department and negate the need for planning permission. Following the installation of the pilot window it was confirmed that planning permission would not be required.
We’ve always been incredibly sceptical about the use of PVC-u in window manufacture, especially on high profile projects where aesthetics are paramount.
The Masterframe PVC-u window, Vintage Collection delivered on aesthetics with their butt joint detail, minimal meeting rail and slim sightlines. In addition, the thermal performance and energy efficiency were key to the overall energy strategy. Solar reflective glass was incorporated on south facing windows.”
Mark Tyrrell,
Senior Design Manager, Barnes Construction




The windows presented a specific issue in that they covered a large proportion of the building and it was important to achieve the right ‘look and feel’ of such prominent components within a building of local importance”
Andy Bere, Asset Manager and Project Client,
(Town Hall Refurbishment)