AIM cavity barriers are set to play a safety-critical role in the refurbishment of Reading’s Hexagon Theatre, a 1970s venue slated for a striking new zinc façade.
New fire-safe façade for Reading’s Hexagon Theatre
The project, commissioned by Reading Borough Council ahead of the theatre’s 50th anniversary in 2027, tasks Feltham Construction with delivery under a design by Haworth Tompkins. Kingsley Hard Metals will install the decorative zinc brise-soleil supplied by Belfry Façade Systems.
Between the zinc skin and the existing timber frame, AIM supplies both Wall Cavity Barriers and Open State Cavity Barriers to seal the cavity against fire, heat, and smoke.
The Open State Cavity Barriers (OSCBs) maintain required ventilation while allowing an intumescent strip to expand when exposed to heat, sealing the cavity. They meet the TGD 19 test and comply with BS EN 1363-1, delivering up to 120-minute fire integrity.
Similarly, the Wall Cavity Barrier (Red Edition) provides a fully closed cavity along compartmentation lines, achieving a 120-minute fire rating under BS EN 1366-4. The barriers are installed both vertically and horizontally in the outer leaf.
Kevin Beck, managing director of Kingsley Hard Metals, said, “Our VM Building Solutions UK VMZINC package will be a real showstopper, wrapping the building in a striking feature skin to give the venue a good-looking, sustainable finish worthy of its setting.”
Earlier this year, AIM also supplied barriers for Kingsley Hard Metals façade installations at Bracton House, High Holborn, London, and for Stoke City training ground in summer 2025.
When the extension is completed in 2027, the Hexagon will add a 200-seat studio auditorium, flexible rehearsal space, community studio with workshop space and back of house space, along with improved public area.
AIM designs, tests and manufactures high-quality fire, thermal and acoustic barriers producing bespoke insulation products to customer specification and a range of standard fire, thermal and acoustic insulation products. AIM’s Technical & Specification teams provide customers with expert support covering specification, manufacture and installation.