Embrace Building Wraps transforms London landmark for 300th anniversary

Dec 17, 2025 | Project News

Embrace Building Wraps St Mays Le Strand 1 scaled e1765882628708 Embrace Building Wraps transforms London landmark for 300th anniversary

The wrap covers the south elevation of the St Mary le Strand church

Embrace Building Wraps has delivered and installed a printed scaffold wrap that covered the south elevation of the St Mary le Strand church.

The artwork was created by Manchester-based artist Louise Giovannelli in collaboration with David Chipperfield Architects, while Embrace created and installed the wrap.

For Embrace, the main concern was safety and conservation as the project demanded exact colour precision, precise alignment with six arched bays, third party integrated lighting and ongoing public access.

Embrace used a mesh PVC, rated for its durability, translucency, and fire rating, to digitally print the image onto.

The 30x16m panels, with two large 5m returns, were printed using high-resolution UK inks and then heat welded for strength.

To mount the wrap, Embrace engineered and installed a bespoke offset frame that projected the mesh slightly forward off the scaffold, along with the installation of 18 LED floodlights for the front and back of the wrap.

Embrace Building Wraps St Mays Le Strand 3 Embrace Building Wraps transforms London landmark for 300th anniversary

The 18 LED floodlights surrounding the wrap helps enhance the shimmer on the material

Greg Forster, managing director at Embrace, said: “Ever tried bending standard 50mm scaffold tube into an arch? Its no mean feat – but that’s what make projects like this so rewarding. The illusion had to be perfect, and every curve had to fit exactly.”

Mr Forster continued: “Projects like this are why we love what we do. It’s not just about covering scaffolding it’s about transforming spaces, protecting history, and creating moments of wonder.

“Our team took something complex, technically demanding, and heritage-sensitive, and turned it into something people stop to admire. That’s the magic of a great building wrap.”