Request
a Survey
Request a Brochure
Request a Call-BackBackground
We installed a retractable roof canopy system at the Leonardo Royal Hotel, in central London. The roof terrace is 8 floors up and has stunning views of St Paul’s Cathedral.
The client was Jurys Inn UK & Ireland, and we worked alongside Buchanan Hartley Architects Ltd and contractor, Edgewater UK.
The requirement
The hotel wanted to redesign the roof terrace to better use the space and make it available for hire all year round. The existing roof system was not fit for purpose or designed correctly for wind and snow loads. The roof leaked and the glass did not fit or operate correctly.
The space needed a new retractable roof canopy system. The design needed to provide maximum light and unimpeded views of the neighbouring St Paul’s Cathedral and surrounding skyline of London. Sliding glass was specified for the side and front enclosures to provide flexible weather protection.
After a site visit and consultation with the hotel, and their architect and contractor, our Cantabria canopy system was agreed as the solution. We worked alongside the project team to integrate the system with new doors, windows, thresholds, and drainage.
Challenges
The main challenge was accessing the areas around the installation site, within a busy London congestion zone. The roof terrace was 8 floors up and the materials needed to be lifted in place by crane. We arranged for the road to be closed over a weekend, providing access for the crane to move the materials ahead of the installation.
The project was completed during a difficult stage of the pandemic, but we were able to work safely alongside the other contractors. The pandemic led to some delays, however, we delivered the project on time for the grand opening once a date was set.
The solution
The Cantabria canopy was bolted to the existing roof slab using site-specific structural calculations for wind and snow loadings. Large baseplates and anchor fixings were used and hidden from sight. The cross rail sits below floor level and the glass rails are countersunk to give a smart, level finish to the area.
The resulting canopy is sympathetic to the hotel building and perfectly frames its spectacular surroundings. The hotel bar boasts stunning views of the cathedral which can be enjoyed all year round, whatever the weather.
Results
