Galostar

Since 1994, Galostar has been providing brick, blockwork and masonry services across the United Kingdom. The company offers a multi-disciplinary package to contractors that can tackle difficult situations and effective, innovative solutions. Joint Managing Director Paul Barnard discussed Galostar’s recent projects and aims for sustainable construction, in conversation with Imogen Ward and Antonia Cole.

About to celebrate its 30th year, Galostar has evolved from a focus on bricklaying, to delivering full-package contracting services. The company has the capability to architecturally and structurally design effective builds using various materials.

Galostar achieves approximately £25 million a year in turnover and has completed 749 projects since the company’s establishment. Continuously evolving and innovating has allowed Galostar to achieve exponential growth and success within the industry. Having won 27 industry awards, the company is known for high-quality work and service.

The company has contributed to prestigious buildings, including a £17 million contract for the London Stadium. Originally designed for the London Olympic and Paralympic games, the stadium has allowed the best athletes from across the world to showcase their talents and now

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primarily serves as West Ham United’s home. Galostar worked on the structural design and blockwork of the stadium, highlighting the company’s reputability.

Prestigious projects

Galostar has been shortlisted for the ABC Awards’ Project of the Year 2024 for work on London Borough of Tower Hamlets’ Town Hall. The project involved restoring the Grade II listed, Royal London Hospital and adding two new blocks.

The building was first opened in the 18th century and has since established itself as a significant historical site in London. The refurbishment involves creating a total of 26,700m2 of civic office space, including an open-plan office space on the upper floors. This will provide 1,700 contemporary workspaces as well as meeting rooms and welfare facilities.

For this project, Galostar worked on the structural design of masonry supports,

pre-cast concrete band units, the installation of masonry façade restraint and support systems, high-quality brickwork, pre-cast concrete and reclamation works.

“Being shortlisted for this award meant that we were being recognised for the highquality and innovative work that we do,” said Joint Managing Director Paul Barnard.

“As a company, we are always aiming to produce the best possible outcomes for our clients. A project like this is a demonstration of the great work we can achieve with our broad knowledge and range of services.”

Galostar is currently working with the London Legacy Development Corporation on the East Bank development. This project will bring together globally significant educational and cultural organisations, including the BBC and Sadler’s Wells East Theatre in Stratford.

The company has developed the masonry blockwork designs for the new BBC Media Centre. This building, which will be home to

the BBC Orchestra recording studios, had to be designed in an acoustically sensitive manner. Galostar worked with clients to ensure that these standards are met and that the building can fulfil its purpose as a centre of media and culture.

Galostar took design responsibility for the Sadler’s Wells Theatre façade package, including blockwork, Italian handmade

bricks and roofing shingles, green and brown roofing, façade access scaffold, and SFS, as well as screed and future access equipment. The building has been designed to bomb blast specification, is acoustically sensitive and is designed for a high level of movement due to the acoustic separation between the independent structures.

“Projects like these require expert knowledge and an innovative, solution-based approach,” said Mr Barnard. “We’ve been trusted with these projects because of our history of excellent service, and we hope to keep making a difference to London by improving buildings.”

At Sadler’s Wells, Galostar design input at value engineering stage developed stage 4 louvres into clay brick louvres.

This, along with the development of the folding walls, sloped brickworks, textured brickwork and sloped textured brickwork, helped to achieve the Architect’s vision for the façade. For this project, test rigs were set up by a third-party testing company in Stoke-on-Trent to assess the suitability of the clay systems and steel supports. These kinds of specialised brickwork demonstrate the innovation of Galostar and its dedication to doing a job right.

Climate-friendly construction

The company is actively trying to use cement-free products in construction in order to be more environmentally friendly. Cement is made by firing raw materials in

a kiln, which releases large amounts of CO2. Cement-free products release significantly less CO2 and require less water to produce.

This alternative to cement has the possibility to revolutionise the construction industry in terms of environmental sustainability. Galostar is actively participating in this change.

“It is important for us to limit carbon emissions and our environmental impact where we can,” explained Mr Barnard. “We are always looking into new innovations within the industry for possibilities to contribute to more sustainable construction.”

For example, hollow blocks are 80% air and thus use less concrete, limiting Galostar’s environmental impact. The air within the block enhances its thermal insulative properties, improving the overall energy efficiency of the building. They are also recyclable, making these blocks an environmentally conscious choice in construction.

Galostar minimises waste by donating surplus blocks and bricks to local colleges

for apprentices to practice with. This means that less bricks have to be produced for learning facilities, so less carbon emissions are released into the atmosphere. This practice also encourages young people to engage with their learning and gives them better access into the construction industry.

Galostar is the first major brickwork subcontractor in the UK to replace wooden mortar boards with 100% recycled aluminium reusable boards across all sites. This creates a drastic reduction in mortar impregnated chipboard, which results in significantly reduced amounts of redundant materials destined for landfill.

“It is important to us to limit our environmental impact at every stage of construction,” said Mr Barnard. “We are utilising biofuel in our vehicles, and we

try to use local brick suppliers in order to reduce transportation emissions. Every step we take to become more eco-friendly makes a huge difference.”

Building the future

The company works with IG Lintels, Leviat and ACS for its supply of stainless steel. Establishing relationships with companies like these puts Galostar in an advantageous position within the industry. Collaborating across the field means that the company is able to rely on others when necessary, and Galostar is happy to reciprocate the good service.

“As we progress, we want to continue nurturing these important relationships so we can create the best possible solutions for clients,” concluded Mr Barnard. “We also want to encourage more young people to join the construction industry.

“Keeping a flow of new people entering the field is what allows us to be so innovative. Young people have a new perspective that we want to harness and use to improve our capabilities. We have our own apprentices that we are training up and hope to welcome many more into the industry going forward.” n

Managing Director Paul Barnard