When Lancashire Constabulary relocated its police station in Blackpool to a new headquarters close to the M55, it was the biggest investment in the force’s history. The need for a long-lasting, durable cladding material that would add character to the building was paramount, and Corian® Solid Surface fitted the bill perfectly.

 McBains Architects created a vision for the headquarters which was commanding but not intimidating in a way that reflects its civic identity. As well as being aesthetically appealing, the brief also prioritised functionality, longevity and sustainability.

A nod to the town’s seaside heritage

Mark Baseby the project director says, “It was important that the building reflected its relationship with Blackpool as a seaside location. And while the design needed to incorporate protection against security threats, there also needed to be a degree of ‘transparency’ especially in terms of the community-facing aspects of the building. The idea was to avoid a completely uniform appearance for the building but to create something characterful and unique.”

1,600m² of Corian® in Glacier White, expertly fabricated into cladding panels reminiscent of seashells, creates a visually impactful and hard-wearing exterior. On the northern face, the cladding functions as a ventilated façade, which also gives the building an appealing openness. The western façade has a cantilevered canopy for greater solar shading, while the southern edge has fewer apertures and a more solid appearance. These features help the structure to achieve its all-important sustainability targets, and the building is rated ‘BREEAM very good’.