Metaltech UK

The Union Terrace Gardens was a £28.3 million refurbishment project that was part of the Aberdeen Councils City Centre and Beach Masterplan which was designed to invigorate both areas while respecting and enhancing Aberdeen’s unique qualities and characteristics. The Masterplan projects are also aimed at encouraging more walking and wheeling. 

The project had a very elaborate and challenging balustrade package which Metaltech UK were appointed to carry out. They also carried out all the architectural perforated panels and doorways along the length of the arches in the gardens. These were constructed from mild steel frames galvanised and powder coated then fitted with Aluminium bespoke perforated panels with a powder coated finish to match.  

Metaltech UK also fabricated and installed the anti-suicide barriers along the parapet of the bridge on Union Street that travels across the railway lines below. 

The original specification for all the railings and features being cast iron and paint, but after a value engineering exercise, the cost and complexity of cast iron along with site conditions, meant mild steel fabrication followed by galvanizing and powder coating was preferred. It provided the most effective way to reduce costs and increase lifespan of the material involved. Material was galvanized then powder coated to a unique colour (Interpon D2525, steel bronze 1, metallic matt Y2206F) to match the existing features.

The plates seen in the photos, also fabricated by Metaltech UK, are aluminium and powder coated but are supported by a fully galvanized structure.

The architects for this were Stallan Brand, Glasgow and the main contractor was Balfour Beatty with the value of the project to Metaltech UK being over £750k and was opened in December 2022.

Photographs © Robert Sheils of Highland Galvanizers & AJ Engineering