Architectural Profiles (APL) has played its part in the design and construction of the new Volkswagen flagship dealership in Brentford, west London. StrongBak is the structural steel support lining from Architectural Profiles that sits behind the living wall with its 22000 plants and auto-irrigation system. StrongBak has been used behind the Alucobond rainscreen on the new Volkswagen Tower. It has also been used on the internal face of the customer car parking areas, and supports the bespoke, embossed and perforated Louvre Panels also produced for VW by Architectural Profiles.
The architects on the project, Bond Bryan, said: “From the outset the building was designed to incorporate the latest technology and the building materials used contributed to a BREEAM ‘excellent’ rating. All the APL installed systems are non-combustible, being mounted on steel subframes and all cavities filled with Stonewool insulation.”
The relatively small site meant that the dealership needed to be multi-storey and the site constraints demanded an innovative design.
Following extensive concept development, an optimum solution was identified where customers drive to a dedicated first floor car park and then enter the showroom directly. Pedestrian-only entrances are located on both sides of the building
The new west London Volkswagen dealership is located in Brentford, alongside the Chiswick Flyover. It is VW’s flagship dealership retail centre, which is understood to be one of the largest in Europe. Architectural Profiles said that it is proud to have been integral in the VW dealership project construction through the close working relationship with architects, Bond Bryan.
