Piccadilly Circus: Crafting Performance Behind the Screens

In the heart of London’s West End, Piccadilly Circus is one of the most photographed, walked-through, and globally recognised intersections in the world. Any construction here is more than just a building project, it’s a statement under permanent public scrutiny.

So when Landsec undertook the redevelopment of several key buildings behind the iconic digital screens, every design detail mattered. The brief was clear: preserve heritage character, meet modern performance standards, and ensure everything would endure in one of the UK’s most punishing urban environments.

The project consisted of 46 bespoke box sashes and 36 casements. They needed to perform technically, last for decades, and keep the iconic aesthetic of Piccadilly Circus.

Restoring Character

From the start, architects and joinery specialists faced layers of complexity. To the eye, these were traditional timber windows with slim profiles and classic detailing. But behind the appearance, there were 21st-century performance demands.

First, the glazing had to match modern curtain wall glass in tone and reflectance. Custom acoustic glass was specified to insulate interiors from the constant hum of buses and foot traffic.

Second, every window had to replicate original detailing exactly, from sash bar profiles to mouldings, even where the originals had been reversed or removed over time. On one elevation alone, there were four different glazing bar layouts across five floors. Many existing windows had been reinstalled backwards years earlier as a quick fix for failing putty. The new designs had to correct that, without losing the appearance planners expected to see.

Third, each street frontage posed different constraints. Some windows had to align visually with their modern neighbours, others required bespoke sightlines to maintain symmetry. Salvaged timber fragments helped reverse-engineer lost features. New tooling was commissioned to replicate the exact period profiles.

Sample windows were mocked up, hand-finished, and submitted for client review. Multiple iterations followed before full production began.

Coatings which Stand Up to the most demanding urban environment

A project like this doesn’t allow for short cuts. In a location exposed to pollution, moisture, UV light and constant public interaction, the coating system had to be flawless from day one, and last for as long as possible.

That’s why Mumford & Wood chose Teknos for the project.

As a global specialist in wood coatings, trusted on prestigious projects across Europe and beyond. Our factory-applied systems offer proven performance, even in extreme environments.

The coating system applied was ANTISTAIN AQUA 2901 primer with an AQUATOP topcoat.

A system proven to protect against weathering, UV degradation, mould and fungal attack. AQUATOP also boasts enhanced dirt pick-up resistance, due to a very smooth and even surface appearance.

Proven Performance

Aesthetic alignment is one thing, performance over time is another.

What reassured the architects, specifiers and team at Mumford & Wood, was our track record. Windows finished with Teknos coatings have shown outstanding durability in similar UK conditions, with ten-year inspection results still showing no signs of breakdown.

At Piccadilly Circus, where repainting or access works would be expensive and disruptive, long-term stability isn’t just desirable, it’s essential.

The coatings used not only reduce maintenance cycles, they also support sustainability goals. A key factor in the project.

Close Collaboration

This project didn’t succeed just because of the products used, it worked because of how partners worked together.

We aren’t just a coatings supplier. We’re a technical partner who supports manufacturers and specifiers from early design through to delivery. In this case, our advice helped optimise coating selection and ensure factory processes delivered exactly what was required.

The joinery was manufactured by Mumford & Wood, a long-term customer who has relied on our finishes for more than 15 years. In that time, they’ve seen consistent performance, to the point where coating-related call-backs are practically non-existent. That kind of dependability matters when you’re producing bespoke, high-value joinery to tight timelines.

And our global footprint brings assurance to projects with international visibility. Our products have been used on some of Europe’s most demanding architectural landmarks, from timber-clad libraries in Finland to large-scale civic buildings. This global pedigree matters on a site like Piccadilly Circus, where every decision carries long-term implications.

A Finish Built for Its Environment

Few places expose building materials to more than central London. The windows installed here won’t be sheltered — they face constant movement, pollution, cleaning cycles, and changing light. That’s why every element, from profile to paint system, had to do its job without relying on future intervention.