Case Study

Paradise Street

The Approach:Development and manufacturing of a

complete bespoke surface water drainagesystem, which is unique due to the

surrounding architectural structure and therequirements of the project’s designers.

The Challenge:To design and install a

complex drainage solution forParadise Street, a major

regeneration project in the centreof Liverpool.

The Product:Manufactured from 316 gradestainless steel and incorporatingproven ACO AS301 drainagechannels which are visible toshoppers as a narrow slot in theground which features a heel safe

grating for the public safety.

ACO Building Drainage was recently involved in the design and

installation of a complex drainage solution for Paradise Street, a

major regeneration project in the centre of Liverpool. In addition

to manufacturing a complete bespoke surface water drainage

system, ACO provided excellent support and guidance throughout

the ambitious project, playing a vital role in its success.

The Paradise Street development was a council backed initiative to regenerate an area of Central

Liverpool, European Capital of Culture for 2008. The project would create an expansive new retail,

leisure space and public facilities to encourage retailers and shoppers to the city centre. The area

would be spread over 42 acres, feature 40 individually designed buildings in six districts, and

provide over 1.6 million square feet of shopping space.

As the majority of access in and around the Paradise Street development was external, an effective

drainage system was essential to ensure the vast walkways spanning the entire length of South

John Street would remove the rainwater efficiently and quickly, as well as remain dry and

therefore safe for shoppers. Building Services Consultants WSP Building approached ACO Building

Drainage for a workable solution, having collaborated with the drainage specialist on a number of

successful projects previously.

ACO began to develop a unique drainage system, following detailed architectural drawings

showing where the drainage channels would be required, as well as working closely with the WSP

and Crown House public health engineer to ensure compliance with the latest regulations and

Client requirements.

Roger Brigham, Project Designer at ACO, commented, “The Paradise Street Development wasparticularly complex for a number of reasons. Firstly, the project incorporated a number of bridges.These needed to be integrated into the design of the drainage system to prevent possible flooding.The project’s designers also wanted a discrete solution that wouldn’t spoil the appearance of thewalkways or pose any safety risks. And as high rainfall was common in the area, an effectivedrainage system was essential that could cope with intense periods of rainfall.”

Taking these requirements into consideration, ACO offered a solution that would be effective, safe

and pleasing to the eye. The system was purpose designed and manufactured, made from 316

grade stainless steel and incorporating proven ACO AS301 drainage channels. Only visible to

shoppers as a narrow slot in the ground, the solution met the project’s aesthetic requirements,

while features such as heel safe grating addressed public safety.

Steve Ingle and Paul Angus, Senior Public Health Engineer’s for WSP building services consultants on the

project were really impressed with ACO’s approach to the challenges posed by the brief. They explained,

“There were various complex technical issues to overcome on the Paradise Street development. RogerBrigham and his design team colleagues at ACO were extremely efficient in creating a highly versatileand innovative solution. Working effectively under the tense programme constraints, ACO clearly put inthe time and effort, which is demonstrated in the highly successful end result.”

David Green, Senior Project Engineer at Crown House Engineering, managed the installation of the

ACO solution. He summarised, “ACO were there to lend support when it was needed and makesure the drainage system met the necessary requirements. Everyone we dealt with wasknowledgeable and helpful. You could tell they’d done their homework. Their attention to detailthroughout the project and the quality of the ACO products made a big contribution to makingParadise Street such a success.”

In Brief:

• The area would be spread over 42acres, feature 40 individuallydesigned buildings in six districts,and provide over 1.6 million squarefeet of shopping space.

• ACO began to develop a uniquedrainage system, following detailedarchitectural drawings showingwhere the drainage channels wouldbe required.

• Taking these requirements intoconsideration, ACO offered a solutionthat would be effective, safe andpleasant to eye.

For more information on our bespokedesign and fabrication services, contact ACO Building Drainage on 01462 816666 or emailbuildingdrainage@aco.co.uk.

A full overview of ACO Building Drainageproducts and resources is available atwww.acobuildingdrainage.co.uk.

www.acobuildingdrainage.co.uk

Case Study

Paradise Street