St Catherine College in Oxford

Originally built in 1962, St Catherine College in Oxford, is a post-war grade 1 listed building designed by Danish architect Arnie Jacobsen.  

In the summer of 2004, all windows were replaced and Vanda Coatings were contracted to re-colour the entire metal framework that the new windows had been set in to. 

The framework had weathered badly over the years and required extensive preparation before being electrostatically sprayed in a paint that exactly matched the colour of the windows that had been fabricated in the USA. 

A sample of the metal framework was sent to Vanda Coatings, and we liaised with paint and powder manufacturers, Trimite, who colour matched it on our behalf. 

The framework of 1280 windows had to be thoroughly prepared and masked off before the electrostatic spraying could commence.  The advantage of electrostatic spraying equipment is that overspray is almost totally eliminated, leaving a clean quality finish that is as near to a powder coating finish achievable in an “on-site” situation.  

In order to reach the bays on the top elevation of the building, scissor lifts were used.  Operated by fully licensed members of staff, the lifts were hired locally and securely locked away at the end of the day. 

St Catherine College remained open throughout the summer whilst the work was carried out and our team ensured that minimum disruption was caused to the students and staff at the college. Being weather dependent, our team had to be as flexible as possible in order to get the work done.