Roehampton Club Refurbishment: Delivering a Class A Fire-Rated Terrace Redevelopment

Founded in 1901, the Roehampton Club is one of south west London’s most prestigious private members’ clubs, renowned for its heritage, beautifully landscaped grounds and extensive sporting facilities. Overlooking manicured gardens and a golf course, the Club’s buildings reflect a long-standing commitment to quality and refinement.

As part of a broader programme of upgrades, the Roehampton Club commissioned the redevelopment of its first-floor terrace to create a larger, more durable and fully compliant outdoor space. Wallbarn was engaged to supply a complete Class A fire-rated decking system – from substructure through to surface finish – delivering both the technical assurance and aesthetic excellence required for such a high-profile venue.

Expanding and Futureproofing an Elevated Terrace

The project involved replacing a relatively small, timber-framed terrace with a significantly larger, fully fire-rated decking system at first-floor level. A new cantilevered steel frame was constructed from the existing structure, forming an elevated terrace spanning approximately 275 square metres.

Given the building’s height and usage, the requirement for a non-combustible solution was paramount. Wallbarn was asked to provide a complete Class A fire-rated system, including:

• Fire-rated substructure components

• Aluminium joists and support framework

• Teca-coloured Exadeck porcelain decking boards

• Perimeter detailing and stair finishes

From the outset, the system needed to achieve full compliance, long-term durability and a refined, contemporary finish suitable for a prestigious members’ club.

Early Collaboration with the Design Team

Wallbarn worked closely with the architects, design consultants, structural engineers and Project Manager from the earliest planning stages. A detailed site inspection was carried out by Wallbarn’s Sales Manager and a Director during the initial design phase to assess:

• Proposed layouts

• Build-up heights

• The configuration of the new cantilevered steel structure

One key area of input was the steel span configuration. Wallbarn advised on aligning the steelwork spacing with the dimensions and structural performance of its aluminium joists. By ensuring compatibility at this stage, the team helped optimise the substructure design and streamline the eventual installation.

As the design evolved, several adjustments were made to refine the terrace structure before installation began. This proactive, consultative approach ensured that technical, regulatory and aesthetic requirements were fully aligned.

Adapting to On-Site Variations

Once the cantilevered steel frame was installed, minor variations from the original drawings became apparent. Differences in steel levels meant that the substructure build-up heights required revision to achieve a consistent finished surface.

Wallbarn responded promptly by:

• Issuing revised layout sketches

• Updating component specifications

• Providing technical guidance to the installation team

The collaborative review process included proposal drawings, approvals and sign-off at multiple stages. As changes arose, they were addressed collectively and efficiently, ensuring that the project continued smoothly without compromising performance or compliance.

Engineering a Robust, Fire-Rated Substructure

The terrace was supported by a cantilevered steel I-beam frame extending from the building’s façade. While structurally sound, the steelwork introduced variations in levels across the 275m² area.

To accommodate this, Wallbarn proposed a tailored combination of products from its Class A fire-rated range, including:

• Lower-height MetalPad Ex pedestals

• Joist holders

• Aluminium Box Rails in multiple profiles

The pedestals and joist holders were mechanically fixed directly to the steel frame, creating a secure foundation. Aluminium joists were then fixed above, forming a stable platform for the porcelain decking.

Despite their low profile, the 25mm Box Rails delivered exceptional structural performance. Independently verified testing during product development confirmed their ability to span up to 800mm, providing both strength and installation flexibility.

This adaptability was crucial in redressing level variations while maintaining the required fire classification and structural integrity.

Seamless Finishing with Exadeck Porcelain

For the surface finish, Teca-coloured Exadeck porcelain boards were selected to provide a refined, contemporary appearance that complemented the Club’s architecture and surrounding landscape.

The 12mm porcelain boards were resin bonded into position, creating a solid, non-combustible and elegant finish. Bull-nosed Exadeck boards were used around the open edges to deliver a seamless perimeter detail.

A matching steel staircase was fabricated and finished using Exadeck step tiles, ensuring visual continuity between horizontal and vertical surfaces. By extruding the same porcelain material into different templates, Wallbarn was able to maintain complete consistency in colour and texture across:

• The main terrace

• Stair treads

• Perimeter detailing

Importantly, this approach also allowed the substructure to remain concealed, as requested by the client, preserving the clean, uninterrupted aesthetic of the terrace.

A Flexible System for Complex Requirements

This project demonstrated the value of a fully integrated Class A system capable of adapting to real-world conditions. From accommodating variations in steel levels to aligning joist spacing with structural spans, the flexibility of Wallbarn’s fire-rated range ensured that performance and design intent were both achieved.

Although design revisions extended the overall programme, the final result is a terrace that is:

• Fully non-combustible and compliant

• Structurally robust

• Visually luxurious

• Built for long-term, high-traffic use

A Prestigious Outcome in South West London

The completed terrace now provides a spacious, durable and refined outdoor area overlooking the gardens and golf course. It enhances the experience for members while meeting modern fire safety standards and structural expectations.

For a venue of this calibre, both technical performance and aesthetic detail were essential. Through early collaboration, responsive technical support and a carefully engineered Class A system, Wallbarn delivered a precise and compliant solution worthy of one of London’s most distinguished private sports clubs.

This project stands as a clear example of how thoughtful design integration, fire-rated innovation and close on-site collaboration can transform an elevated terrace into a long-lasting architectural asset.