Sainsbury's Petrol Station
Client:
J Sainsburys
Year of Completion:
1998
Few people see petrol stations as a pinnacle of architecture, but to designers of the Sainsbury’s petrol station in Coventry it was the chance to break the mould.
A canopy was chosen as an interesting way of providing cover for the customer filling up their cars, but also as an eye catching statement. The dramatic canopy, modeled on an airplane wing, uses an internal frame to provide a smooth external shape.
As with all materials used in a petrol station, Architen Landrell had to be careful to recommend a fabric which was fire certified and require little maintenance and cleaning. In order to achieve these two elements, it was decided that a PVC coated polyester mesh would be used – this would additionally provide a diffusion surface for up lighting.
Once lit the mesh provides a semi transparent surface and allows you a glimpse at the industrial steelwork behind – a reminder of the industrial and architecture which came together to produce this project.
