Sapphire Balconies worked with Telford Homes and TP Bennett to design and deliver Glide-On™ balconies that integrated seamlessly with the unitised façade system, streamlining installation and maintaining full site access on a complex, fast-track build….

Sapphire Balconies partnered with Redrow to deliver Glide-On™ balconies for UNCLE Southall, maximising efficiency through offsite manufacture while achieving architectural rhythm, smooth installation, and long-term performance across the development….

Discover how Sapphire Balconies delivered 180 Glide-On™ balconies for the New Road Triangle development in Feltham, enhancing connectivity and creating a landmark building in line with Hounslow’s urban regeneration goals….

Sapphire Balconies partnered with the Berkeley Group to deliver refined, prefabricated balconies at West End Gate in Marylebone, achieving architectural precision and efficient installation through early collaboration and standardised offsite manufacture….

Sapphire Balconies supported Galliford Try and Related Argent in delivering cohesive façades at Heart of Hale with Glide-On™ balconies featuring custom comb fascias, enhancing visual continuity and installation efficiency across the regeneration scheme….

“My experience with Sapphire? Well, I wrote a long piece on LinkedIn about you! It’s been wonderful working with you – you people are a dream! The logistics team especially have been amazing.”

Nana Aboagye, Senior Site Manager, Hills Partnership…

“It’s been a good experience working with Sapphire.”

– Jac Louw, Project Manager, EcoWorld London

History

Brentford has grown from small beginnings into a thriving residential hub, not least thanks to EcoWorld London’s newest development, Kew Bridge Gate. Adjacent to the grounds of Brentford’s GTech Community Stadium, EcoWorld London aspired to integrate the stadium and surrounding residential developments into one cohesive area, envisioning a new community development for the area.

Executive Summary

• Regulatory Challenge and Insight: Uncertainty around NHBC guidance on balcony water management posed a significant challenge, prompting Sapphire to collaborate with Broadway Malyan and attend an NHBC presentation to gain clarity.
• Innovative Drainage Solution: Sapphire implemented controlled-draining soffits, reducing the need for rear-draining rainwater pipes (RWPs), enabling a more elegant, compliant, and cost-effective solution with savings of up to 25%.
• Efficient Installation Strategy: By using Sapphire’s Remote Locker Device (RLD), balconies were designed for streamlined installation within tight site boundaries, with no façade protrusions and safer crane lifts.
• Streamlined by Collaboration: Proactive engagement and cross-team collaboration ensured Kew Bridge Gate met regulatory demands while achieving practical, aesthetic, and economic advantages.

Streamlined by Collaboration, Delivered by Sapphire

Regulatory Challenge and Insight

EcoWorld London and architect Broadway Malyan and AFL aspired for this development to use a controlled edge drainage system, though the main constraint felt was around the then-unresolved status of NHBC guidance on water management and whether controlled drainage could be effectively used on balcony projects made this decision difficult.

Sapphire ensured that Kew Bridge Gate could be streamlined by collaboration. We attended an NHBC presentation alongside Broadway Malyan Architects to further understand what the then-current guidance around water management would be. Having an ever-increasing knowledge of construction guidance and regulations is incredibly and increasingly important, especially considering the impact of the new Building Safety Regulator on the construction landscape.

Innovative Drainage Solution

Having learned directly from the NHBC, we implemented controlled-draining soffits on the balconies at Kew Bridge Gate to effectively manage the drainage without the need for a rear-draining rain water pipe (RWP). The impact of this meant that controlled free drainage, an elegant and cost-effective solution to water management (often saving 25% in cost due to not needing an RWP), could be used.

Efficient Installation Strategy

In another instance of streamlining by collaboration, we worked alongside Broadway Malyan and AFL to design balconies that could be installed using our Remote Locker Device (RLD). Due to the tight site boundaries, an RLD installation was advantageous as the balconies could be transported to site and installed with the balcony arms situated inside the Cassette® itself, meaning no arms protrude from the building façade before installation and balconies can be craned up closer to the building façade, keeping the tight site boundaries in place.

Sapphire Balconies partnered with Barratt Homes to deliver 119 prefinished balconies at Upton Park Block C in Newham. Through offsite manufacturing and efficient logistics, we streamlined installation, overcame planning constraints, and enhanced build quality from start to finish….

Explore how Sapphire Balconies collaborated with Berkeley St James Group and JTP Architects to deliver 130 balconies at The Green Quarter, Southall. Discover how offsite manufacturing and streamlined installation addressed site constraints, enhancing efficiency and quality….

“I’ve been working with Sapphire for around 10 years. Good as gold and wish every company would take a leaf out of your book. 10/10. – Project Manager, Hollybrook Limited History Developed in tandem with Transport House, Kerwin House (formerly the Chequers Lane development) was a redevelopment of the Ford Stamping Plant in Dagenham,…

“Sapphire came forward with solutions when needed and can’t see any problems on this project either.  I’ll give you a 10 overall!” – Senior Site Manager, Hollybrook Limited History Romford has a storied history in North East London, originally the administrative centre of Havering and with good road links to the centre of London….

“I’ve been working with Sapphire for around 10 years. Good as gold and wish every company would take a leaf out of your book. 10/10. Project Manager, Hollybrook Limited History Situated on the former site of the Unite trade union in Dagenham, Transport House brings 149 new residential units to the area, with the…

 “The experience with Sapphire has been good, you’re a really good company to work with.” Senior Site Manager, 300 Harrow Road History Situated in Westminster and supported by Westminster City Council, 300 Harrow Road featured over 1,400 metres of community facilities, 112 new homes, 50% of which are designated as affordable. Willmott Dixon have…

History An ambitious project, supporting the delivery of a new district centre in Bromley-by-Bow, Imperial Clockhouse aims to regenerate a former scaffolding yard and a group of derelict low-rise industrial buildings, vacant since 2011. The project, consisting largely of affordable housing, features 79 of Sapphire’s Glide-On balconies, on which we were pleased to be…