Taking a practical approach

Committed to making the company a success right from the start, Paul’s role may have developed into more of an office-based one as the business has grown, but he is still often to be found rolling up his sleeves and joining the project managers on site.

As Construction Director at Eden Facades, Paul explains below how he began working in the industry, and why he is so passionate about the work that he and Tony do, even after more than two decades.

What aspects of your role do you particularly enjoy?

After briefly working in sales many years ago and concluding that it wasn’t for me, my introduction to the industry was through working with and the application of External Wall Insulation (EWI).  Although EWI was the first area I specialised in, the rainscreen cladding market is continually evolving and I enjoy keeping abreast of those changes within the industry.

I specialise in a number of different areas, which is reflected in the fact that often the projects I enjoy the most are ones that involve several different types of façade; for instance, Structural Framing Systems (SFS), EWI, rainscreen and larch. Working with multiple applications on one project can be challenging, but worth it for the high-end result it achieves.

In fact, one of the projects I’m most proud to have been involved with required knowledge of these different applications. The scope for Brighton & Hove Albion Football Club, which we worked on with main contractor Buckingham Group in 2014, was to install SFS, EWI and copings. The EWI involved some quite niche elements, one of which being the intricate groove cutting element into the insulation to the grey feature panels using hot wire tooling,  for which we had to procure specific tools from Germany. I was responsible for overseeing the project, as well as getting directly involved on site, and was over the moon to hear earlier this year that we had been chosen to work on phase 2 of the project.

Brighton FC was one of our first larger projects, with many aspects to the development, but of course every project has its own unique challenges. The fact that there is no such thing as a ‘typical’ project is one of the things I really enjoy about this role. The market changes rapidly, there is no room for complacency!

What do you think clients appreciate about working with Eden Facades?

Our combined experience covers more than seventy years, with expertise in all areas of the cladding sector. We have been very careful to build a knowledgeable team around us, that complements my and Tony’s own experience, but also means that we can be sure we are always delivering the high-standard work and attention to detail we’re known for.

It’s impossible to understate the importance of good communication. Much of how well we work with clients can be attributed to our ability to see the bigger picture; working with clients from the early stages of design, right through to handover, means we can spot challenges or potential issues before they arise, and resolve them before they become a problem. Which ultimately means less cost and potential time wasted for the client.

We love the fact that clients know they can trust us to deliver a first-class result. We recently completed Block C at the prestigious West End Gate development in central London, working with main contractor Berkeley Homes Central London, and as a result of the high quality of our finish, we will be re-joining them on the upcoming phases of the build.

How has Eden Facades dealt with the challenges 2020 has thrown at us so far?

I’m sure there are very few businesses that haven’t been affected by the challenges that have come about as a result of COVID-19, but our solid reputation has meant we are fortunate enough to be in a good position, with some exciting projects on the horizon.

Our team have been incredible, their willingness to be flexible and adapt to different ways of working in what has been a difficult time for everyone makes us very proud. It’s a testament to how well we work together as a team that we are ready for whatever the rest of 2020 might have in store for us!

If you’d like to find out more about how we work, or to discuss your next project with us, contact office@edenfacades.co.uk , or connect with Paul on LinkedIn