Location: Leicester, UK
Market: Façades & Cladding | Building Renovation | Arts / Entertainment
Product: Hollo-Bolt® by Lindapter® 
Quantity: 2,450
Client: Leicester City Council
Contractor: Clear Line Ltd, Sheffield

Leicester’s Curve Theatre features a distinctive aluminum brise soleil façade made up of approximately 700 blade-like panels. Over time, the original façade solutions failed, and the issue escalated when one of the aluminum blades became detached and fell from the building. This prompted Leicester City Council to approve a full remediation program to ensure the safety, durability and long-term performance of the façade system while maintaining the architectural integrity of this prominent cultural venue.

The original solutions comprised light-duty setscrews and machine screws installed into drilled and tapped holes in the aluminum brise soleil panels, which subsequently sheared under load. While such fasteners are often replaced with rivet nuts or self-drilling screws, the exposure of the building and the high wind loads acting on the façade demanded a far more robust solution. The client required a fastener method that could safely accommodate these loads, provide long-term reliability, and allow for field adjustability during installation. In addition, access constraints meant the solution had to function as a blind connection, requiring installation from one side only, without compromising safety or performance.

To meet these requirements, the 5⁄16" stainless steel countersunk Hollo-Bolt was specified. The Hollo-Bolt provided a significantly stronger alternative to light-duty fasteners while maintaining the ability to install from one side only. Its countersunk head ensured an aesthetic finish suitable for the aluminum façade blades, while the stainless-steel construction delivered excellent corrosion resistance for long-term external exposure. The design allowed for adjustability through the bracket system, enabling precise alignment of the blades during reinstallation. Each blade connection was enhanced by increasing the number of fasteners, with four Hollo-Bolts specified per “J” strap to improve load distribution and overall system resilience.

Access to the façade was achieved using a cherry picker, allowing safe and controlled removal and reinstallation of the blades. The remediation was carried out on a staged basis, with blades removed, repaired, and then lifted back into position sequentially to manage site logistics and minimize disruption. The use of Hollo-Bolts simplified installation by eliminating the need for through-bolting or specialist equipment, enabling efficient progress while ensuring a consistent, high-quality finish across the entire façade.

The complete remediation of the brise soleil system restored the safety and integrity of the Curve Theatre façade. The upgraded fastener solution delivered improved load performance, enhanced durability, and greater confidence in the long-term behavior of the façade under high wind conditions. By selecting Hollo-Bolts, the project team achieved a safer, stronger and more adaptable solution than traditional light-duty fasteners, ensuring the theatre remains secure while preserving its iconic architectural appearance.

• Robust, high-strength blind fastener suitable for high wind load conditions
• One-sided installation ideal for façade remediation with limited access
• Stainless-steel construction for long-term corrosion resistance
• Countersunk head provides a clean, aesthetic finish
• Increased fastener capacity improved overall façade safety and reliability