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Overview
The Dale Youth Amateur Boxing Club project formed part of the BBC DIY SOS Big Build initiative, created to support the Grenfell community following the Grenfell Tower tragedy.
The project involved constructing a new community centre and a replacement boxing club facility at Bay 20 within the Westway development in London. The new building was designed to provide a safe and positive space for young people and members of the community who had been affected by the disaster.
Structura UK contributed specialist façade engineering expertise to support the construction of the new boxing club building. Working alongside contractors, volunteers, and the wider DIY SOS project team, Structura helped deliver the external façade system that would become one of the building’s defining architectural features.
The project incorporated more than 200 square metres of Kalwall translucent cladding, installed using the RAICO THERM+ curtain walling system. The façade provides natural daylight, visual impact, and a durable building envelope that reflects the purpose of the facility as a welcoming community space.
This case study demonstrates how innovative façade systems and collaborative delivery can support community regeneration projects while delivering high-quality architectural outcomes.
Details
Client:
BBC DIY SOS The Big Build
Location:
St Marks Rd, Westway, London
Architect:
Featherstone Young
Main Contractor:
BBC – DIY SOS
Grid:
Shoji
Project Metrics
Key performance and project metrics include:
Project Type: Community centre and boxing club facility
Façade System: RAICO THERM+ curtain walling system
Cladding Material: Kalwall translucent façade panels
Façade Area: Over 200 m² of Kalwall translucent cladding
Project Programme: Delivered as part of the BBC DIY SOS Big Build
The Challenge
Delivering a new building for the Dale Youth Amateur Boxing Club required careful coordination, technical expertise, and sensitivity to the wider context of the project. The boxing club had previously operated in the Grenfell community before the tragedy. Rebuilding a new facility was therefore not simply a construction project, but a symbol of renewal and support for local residents. Several key challenges shaped the project.
Creating a High-Impact Community Facility
The new boxing club needed to serve as a welcoming and uplifting environment for the local community. The building façade would play an important role in establishing the identity of the new facility. Rather than a conventional solid façade, the design required a visually striking elevation that would allow natural light to enter the building while maintaining structural performance and durability. The façade system therefore needed to achieve several goals simultaneously; provide a distinctive architectural feature, allow natural daylight into the building, deliver reliable weather protection, and integrate seamlessly with the building structure. Balancing these requirements required a carefully engineered façade solution.
Delivering Within the DIY SOS Build Programme
The project was delivered as part of the BBC DIY SOS Big Build, which involved a large team of volunteers and contractors working together within a highly coordinated programme. Unlike traditional commercial construction projects, the DIY SOS format places significant emphasis on collaboration and efficiency. Work must be completed within a defined schedule to align with the wider build programme. The façade installation therefore required careful planning to ensure it could be delivered effectively within the overall project timeline while coordinating with other trades on site.
Implementing a New Curtain Wall System
Another technical challenge involved the use of a newly adapted façade system. The project utilised the RAICO THERM+ curtain walling system, adapted to accommodate the Kalwall translucent cladding panels. This project represented the first realised installation using the new system configuration, requiring careful technical coordination during design and installation. Introducing a new façade system within a live project requires confidence in both engineering design and installation methodology. Structura’s expertise in curtain walling and façade engineering ensured the system could be implemented successfully while maintaining performance and quality standards.
Structura’s Solution
Structura UK worked closely with the project team to deliver a façade solution that met both the architectural ambitions and practical requirements of the new boxing club facility. The solution combined a Kalwall translucent façade system with RAICO THERM+ curtain wall framing, creating a distinctive elevation that supports both aesthetic and functional goals.
Kalwall Translucent Cladding Installation
At the heart of the façade design was the use of Kalwall translucent cladding panels. Kalwall systems are widely used in architectural applications where natural light is required without the glare or heat gain associated with conventional glazing. For the Dale Youth Amateur Boxing Club project, more than 200 square metres of Kalwall cladding were installed to form the feature elevation of the building.
The translucent panels allow daylight to filter into the interior spaces, creating a bright and welcoming environment for boxing training sessions and community activities. At the same time, the façade maintains structural strength and weather resistance, ensuring long-term performance for the building envelope.
RAICO THERM+ Curtain Wall System
To support the Kalwall panels, the project used the RAICO THERM+ curtain walling system. This system provides a high-performance aluminium curtain wall framework capable of accommodating a variety of façade materials. For this project, the system was adapted specifically to work with the Kalwall panels, enabling the creation of the building’s distinctive translucent façade.
The installation represented the first realised project using the newly adapted THERM+ system, demonstrating the flexibility of the system and the technical capabilities of the project team. The curtain wall framework provided the structural support required for the façade while maintaining a clean and minimal visual appearance.
Precision Façade Engineering
The installation of the façade required careful coordination between the curtain wall framework and the Kalwall cladding panels. Structura’s role involved ensuring that the façade system could be installed accurately while maintaining the performance characteristics required for a community facility. Key considerations included:
- Structural stability of the curtain wall framework
- Correct alignment of translucent cladding panels
- Weatherproof integration with the building envelope
- Durability of the façade system for long-term use
Through precise engineering and installation planning, the façade system was successfully integrated into the building structure.
Concealed Fixings & Clean Architectural Lines
A distinctive feature of the façade design was the use of concealed fixings and screws. The curtain wall system allowed the fixing elements to be hidden within the framework, producing a smooth and uninterrupted façade surface. Combined with the mill-finished aluminium framing, this approach created a clean and visually striking architectural elevation. The result is a façade that appears both modern and elegant while maintaining the durability required for a busy community building.
Project Results
The completed Dale Youth Amateur Boxing Club building now provides a modern and welcoming facility for the community. The façade plays a central role in defining the building’s architectural character while delivering practical performance benefits.
A Distinctive Architectural Feature
The Kalwall translucent façade creates a dramatic and recognisable elevation for the boxing club building. During daylight hours, the façade allows soft natural light to enter the interior spaces, creating a bright environment for training and community activities. At night, the building can appear illuminated from within, reinforcing its presence as a community hub within the Westway area. The combination of Kalwall cladding and aluminium curtain wall framing provides a contemporary appearance while maintaining structural reliability.
Successful Implementation of a New Façade System
The project marked the first completed installation using the newly adapted RAICO THERM+ curtain walling system with Kalwall panels. The success of this installation demonstrates the capability of the system to support complex façade applications while delivering reliable performance. For Structura and the wider project team, the successful implementation provides a valuable example of how innovative façade technologies can be applied in real-world construction projects.
High-Quality Building Envelope
The completed façade delivers several performance benefits for the building, including a durable and weather-resistant façade system, even natural daylight distribution within interior spaces, clean architectural appearance with concealed fixings, and long-term durability for a busy community facility. These benefits help ensure the building will continue to serve the community effectively for many years.
Supporting the Grenfell Community
Perhaps the most significant outcome of the project is the role the building now plays within the local community. The new boxing club and community centre provide a positive and supportive environment for young people and residents affected by the Grenfell tragedy. The project demonstrates how thoughtful design and collaborative construction can contribute to community recovery and regeneration. Structura UK is proud to have contributed its expertise to a project that has such meaningful impact beyond the built environment.