Railings and handrails from Machan Engineering

One of Machan Engineering’s specialities is the design, manufacture and supply of railings and handrails.

We tend to work mainly with contractors and councils on projects that involve the installation of railings, and here are a couple of projects that we have been involved in.

This is one of our most recent examples. We were asked for a bespoke handrail system for the Tram Station on Bankhead Drive in Edinburgh; part of the new Edinburgh Tram Network (ETN). The contractor in this case was Crummock Ltd.

Handrail System for Crummock at Tram Station, Edinburgh

Part of the handrail system for ETN at Tram Station

Another different example of our work is this post and rail system that was installed by Connaught Ltd back in 2009 at Emma Jay Road in Bellshill for North Lanarkshire Council. The system is made 304 grade stainless steel and the posts incorporate one of our standard bollard designs.

Post and rail system at Emma Jay Road, Bellshill

Post and rail system at Emma Jay Road, Bellshill

For more information about Machan Engineering products and services please visit www.machanengineering.com or give us a call on (+44) 01324 824309 to see how we can help you with your project.

kumiki

Love this – nice to see some more enthusiasm for street furniture!

This would be a real challenge in steel…

wewastetime

A multi-function grid bench called Kumiki, made from local waste cedar, created over a weeklong workshop by Studio_01 (designers Alex Knezo and Akinori Hamada) and students Yumiko Oyama, Kazuma Obayashi, Yuto Nakagawa, Tomoya Hiromori, in the city of Kameyama, Japan.

Kumiki- literally meaning a latticework of wood- was organized in such a way that required only 11 different lengths of cedar. “Prior to construction, each of the different length of woods’ cut surfaces were painted with a different color which aided with the ease of construction, like a visual numbering system, as well as added to the overall design of the bench.”

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Denny High School, Denny

This was a great project to be involved in – right on our doorstep!

Denny High School has a roll of 1600 pupils and 170 staff and includes facilities for local community use. The project was completed in 2009 and the main clients were Falkirk Council and Stirling Gateway Ltd.

Tree grilles and tree protection at Denny High School

We were asked to manufacture tree protection and cycle parking hoops by the main contractor Ogilvie Construction . The architect for Denny High School was JM Architects.

Steel cycle hoops outside the main entrance to Denny High School

For more information about Machan Engineering products and services please visit www.machanengineering.com or give us a call on (+44) 01324 824309 to see how we can help you with your project.

Street Furniture from Machan Engineering

We were recently commissioned by ACD Landscapes to design, manufacture and supply these fairly ornate-looking, but robust cube seats for their landscape design at Drayton Garden Village (DGV). ACD were delighted with our design and the finished article. All seven are now installed and the project is coming on great-guns!

One of the set of seven Machan ‘wee cube seats’ that we made for Drayton Garden Village.

It’s always great to get involved with clients at the design phase, and DGV was a real departure for us.

At Machan, we are more used to producing standard items, but there is always a design request. For example, we were asked to make robust street seating for the Holy Trinity Homeless Accommodation in Stirling. It was a fairly simple thing to do and we were delighted to supply The Holy Trinity Church (Start-Up) and Stirling Council with hard wearing products. We were also happy to supply the seats in a calming, tranquil colour that fitted in with the renovation of their homeless shelter.

A version of the 072 all-steel seat supplied for Start-Up homeless charity in Stirling in bespoke colour finish

The John Street benches for the Italian Centre in Glasgow were a different challenge. Glasgow City Council needed benches similar to those that had been manufactured and supplied some years before with the addition of one feature; something that would prevent the bending back of the straps on the base of the seat by vandals, but most likely drunk people walking past te benches late at night (sound familiar?) – like the prongs of a fork that had been attacked by Uri Geller.

So, we simply added capped ends to the straps and the benches have survived, vandalism free, since March 2012.

Drawings for the curved, reinforced John Street benches that we made for The Italian Centre, Merchant City, Glasgow

Then you get the larger, industrial projects where lots of different kinds of products have to be supplied, like this one at Queen’s Quay, Belfast where we supplied heavy, robust, 314 grade stainless steel bollards, post and rail, seating, fencing and cycle stands. This was a fantastic project to be involved in where the finish had to withstand the elments – being right next to the sea.

Queens Quay, Belfast redevelopment.

Queens Quay Belfast, the main drag. Showing our bollards in the island

Queens Quay, Belfast, the shore front; showing our bollards, cycle stands and post and rail

So just a selection of the projects that Machan has been involved in of late. So, for more information about Machan Engineering products and services please visit www.machanengineering.com or give us a call on (+44) 01324 824309 to see how we can help you with your project.

Sneinton Market Square regeneration project, Nottingham

This was a fantastic project to be involved for Machan Engineering.

The Sneinton Market & Eastside Gateway Neighbourhood Development Plan, produced by Gehl Architects in July 2008 identified the Sneinton Market Square area as forming the “bridge” between the communities of St Anns and Sneinton to the east, and the City Centre.

Artisits impression based on feasibility design

The vision saw the development of a new square as forming the heart of the area and creating a new sense of place, acting as a catalyst for the wider regeneration of the area.

Working with the City Council, Nottingham Regeneration Ltd. secured funding from the East Midlands Development Agency and the European Regional Development Fund to deliver a £6.8million scheme of public realm and connectivity improvements including the creation of a new public square adjoining the new Victoria Leisure Centre. This space will be used for markets and special events and create a new civic space at the heart of Sneinton Market.

The redevelopment of Sneinton Market was to create a fantastic new public space that would be a venue for events, markets, gatherings, performances, festivals and community use. Local residents and visitors alike would be able to enjoy the new square.

Patel Taylor architects developed the design for the new square.

Machan Engineering was contacted to produce bespoke arm rests and backs for granite seats as well as bespoke stainless steel tree grilles and tree guards that would compliment the mainly granite landscape design.

Sneinton Market Square project image taken from pateltaylor.co.uk showing Machan tree protection products in foreground

Sneinton Market Square project image taken from pateltaylor.co.uk showing stainless steel armrests on polished granite seat bases

Part of this regeneration project was a commission called ‘Orchard‘, which opened in December 2011 with the planting of apple trees in the new square. The trees were intended for communal use and celebrated the market’s long history as a centre for food production and distribution.

Working with Nottingham City Council and Patel Taylor architects the Contemporary Art Society appointed Neville Gabie as lead artist on the regeneration of Sneinton Market Square, Nottingham. Gabie donated apple trees of 100 different varieties through his Apple Tree Adoption network to local residents, schools and community organisations of Sneinton and St Ann’s in order to create a diverse urban orchard spanning the east side of the city.

Sneinton Market Square is now a beautiful focal point for the local community and visitors. Machan Engineering is greatful to have been involved in such a prestigious project that has involved local people, artists, traders and local government agencies alike and has seen this former pay and display car park turn into something that citizens of Sneinton can be proud of.

Sneinton Market Square project image taken from pateltaylor.co.uk

For more information about Machan Engineering products and services please visit www.machanengineering.com or give us a call on (+44) 01324 824309 to see how we can help you with your project.

Steel planters for Sainsbury’s Superstore in High Wycombe

In 2009 Machan Engineering was approached by East Midlands Landscaping to manufacture large, round, steel planters; large enough to keep a tree in and including integrated irrigation systems.

The planters were to be placed at the front of the new store and should therefore be attractive while robust and strong enough to contain the trees.

Planters shown on left hand side of image at front of Sainsbury’s Superstore in High Wycombe

Machan Engineering worked with the contractor to finalise the design, which included 316 grade stainless for the sides and 304 grade for the base – cutting costs slightly without jeopardising the quality finish on the planters.

Planters in front of Sainsbury’s Store, High Wycombe

For more information about Machan Engineering products and services please visit www.machanengineering.com or give us a call on (+44) 01324 824309 to see how we can help you with your project.

Large bespoke planters for Alexandra Park, Glasgow

This project was completed in 2009 and was for the design, manufacture and supply of big planters for the entrance to Alexandra Park in Glasgow.

Glasgow City Council required some large robust planters for the entrance to Alexandra Park, Dennistoun, Glasgow. The planters were to replace the existing timber ones, and had to fit in with the design of the existing street furniture, which included a cast iron pergola, benches and bollards. Part of the brief was that planters shouldn’t look out of place in front of the grand entranceway to the park and they were also to include the name as part of the design.

The entrance to Alexandra Park, showing pergola and street furniture

The old planters were haxagonal, so Machan Engineering set about manufacturing a set of planters true to this original design, and incorporated a moulding around the hexagonal shape to mirror the mouldings on the surrounding bollards. The planters were also supplied with plaques that read Alexandra Park, as requested by the client.

Mild steel hexagonal planter, painted and supplied with mouldings to fit in with existing street furniture

In order to offer a bit of height in the design, some of the bespoke planters were manufactured with integrated hanging baskets.

One of the hexagonal mild steel planters with an integrated hanging basket (background)

The planters were manufactured in mild steel to offer a robust product and keep costs down, and were painted black with a gold trim to match the surrounding street furniture.

Close up of the Alexandra Park plaque at the fron of the planter, as requested by the client

For more information about Machan Engineering products and services please visit www.machanengineering.com or give us a call on (+44) 01324 824309 to see how we can help you with your project.

Mild steel estate fencing and arched gateway for private client

In this latest blog post we look at how Machan was able to correctly advise on materials and design for a private client in rural Perth & Kinross.

Rural home in Pert & Kinross

Machan Engineering was aproached by a private client to manufacture robust estate fencing and an ornate arched gateway to fit in with the existing fencing that surrounded a luxury home in Braco, Scotland.

Perimeter estate fencing that was manufactured to match existing original cast iron fencing.

Machan Engineering worked with the client and advised that galvanised painted mild steel would provide the ideal solution in realtion to cost and durability.

The fencing and arched gateway were designed and manufactured in-house to match the design of the existing cast iron fencing and delivered for installation.

The arched gateway showing the house in the background

The client was delighted to have a product that matched the original fencing and that complimented the design of the house.

The product is also robust enough to withstand the exposed location and potential collision with livestock that grazes in fields next to the property.

Vehicular access gate that was manufactured by Machan to match the design of the house and allowed access into the adjoining field (with sheep)

For more information about Machan Engineering products and services please visit www.machanengineering.com or give us a call on (+44) 01324 824309 to see how we can help you with your project.

Recreation and installation of cast iron pergola and drinking fountain, Lesmahagow

This latest blog post describes how Machan Engineering was responsible for the project management aspect of the reinstatement of a historical landmark in the small Lanarkshire town of Lesmahagow.

Lesmahagow is a small town near Lanark in the central belt of Scotland. In 1926, the original pergola and water fountain were removed from an area of the village known as ‘The Fountain’, because the structure was deemed to be interfering with the bus route into the village.

A picture showing the original drinking fountain and pergola, which was removed in 1926 to allow for bus access.

After pressure from local residents, South Lanarkshire Council granted permission for the pergola and fountain to be reinstated. The Council contacted Machan Engineering to manufacture and install an exact replica of the original. The old structure had been cast by the Walter MacFarlane Saracen Foundry, whose work includes the Bailie James Martin Memorial Drinking Fountain, which is situated in Glasgow Green.

Original drinking fountain and pergola, Lesmahagow

Machan Engineering set about researching the cast iron fountain and pergola and, using local expertise in the shape of Denny-based Specialised Castings Ltd, who were able to procure the original moulds for some of the pieces. Other pieces were created from scratch, using drawings of the original as a guide.

Machan Engineering also called on the expertise of local company JPS Restoration & Property Services, as to how the pieces should be put together. JPS was also the installer. Machan Engineering acted as project manager throughout, and was also responsible for the painting of the structures on site.

The junction of New Trows Road and Abbey Green in Lesmahagow had always been known as The Fountain, but since 1926, the area had been without a structure to justify its name.

Machan’s expertise and relationships with local tradespeople were pivotal in recreating the beautiful pergola and water fountain from original materials, resulting in the reinstatement of this historical landmark.

For more information about Machan Engineering products and services please visit www.machanengineering.com or give us a call on (+44) 01324 824309 to see how we can help you with your project.

Bespoke picnic benches for Birmingham City Council

In this example of Machan Engineering solutions, we look at how Machan Engineering works with councils on specialist regeneration projects in estates, with specialist considerations given to ease of use for disabled people.

The Castle Vale area, north east of Birmingham city centre, has been the subject of major regeneration initiatives from the early 1990s onwards. The area has gone from being held up as an example of a failed post-war overspill estate to, currently, a showcase of successful community-led improvement.

Farnborough Fields, Birmingham

The Farnborough Fields community play space and picnic area in Castle Vale is managed and maintained by Birmingham City Council, and needed new picnic seating. These were to be pleasing to the eye and comfortable to sit on. As the area is used by people of all ages and abilities, there was also the need to make sure that the benches met accessibility requirements.

Machan Engineering was called in to design and manufacture bespoke picnic benches for Farnborough Fields. The company consulted closely with the client, who had specific preferences when it came to the choice of material, finishes, sizes, optional features and colours

It was decided to make three of the picnic benches with only three seats, to ensure ease of access for wheelchair users. Another feature was also added to help comply with DDA guidelines and make the seats more pleasant to use for older people: an extra thick powder coating with minimal thermal conductivity was used, giving the seats a ‘warm-to-the-touch’ quality compared to when a regular powder coating is used.

Bespoke stainless steel picnic benches with green extra thick ‘warm-to-the-touch’ powder coating and space for disabled access.

 

A neutral, light moss green colour was used to make sure the picnic benches blended in well with their environment.

The client received bespoke picnic benches that are suitable for all age groups and levels of ability. The benches were produced cost-effectively and within budget.

For more information about Machan Engineering please visit www.machanengineering.com or give us a call on (+44) 01324 824309 to see how we can help you with your project.