Building Site Screens for The Spark, Newcastle Helix

EcoShrink installed shrink wrap building site screens for The Spark, part of the Newcastle Helix development in Newcastle upon Tyne. Temporary construction screens and wind barriers were used to protect the building from frequent wind and rain, control dust and debris, and keep access routes open so Sir Robert McAlpine’s team could maintain progress on a busy city-centre site.

Ecoshrink building site screens at The Spark Newcastle Helix development.

Ecoshrink building site screens at The Spark Newcastle Helix development.

Robust Construction Wind Protection Screens

Weatherproof Construction Screens

Project Overview

The Spark is a major office building within the Newcastle Helix regeneration scheme, delivered by Sir Robert McAlpine. The exposed city-centre location meant wind, rain and airborne debris were a constant risk to programme and on-site conditions. The client needed robust building site screens that would shield the structure from the worst of the weather, contain dust and debris, and still keep safe access routes open around the building.

EcoShrink installed shrink wrap construction screens as a continuous protective layer around key elevations, acting as weatherproof wind barriers and privacy screens while the structure was built out.

Challenges on site

Frequent wind and rain on an exposed multi-storey city-centre site. Tight programme with little tolerance for weather-related delays. Need to keep access routes clear for workers, plant and materials at all times. Requirement to control dust, debris and visual impact in an urban environment Desire to reduce noise breakout and disturbance to the surrounding area where possible

Our solution

EcoShrink designed a building site screen system using shrink wrap construction screens tailored to The Spark’s elevation and access layout.

Scope & planning: Reviewed the building footprint, elevation sequence and exposure on the Newcastle Helix site Identified the elevations and levels where weather and wind loading would be most critical Planned fixing points and screen runs to maintain clear entry routes and working areas around the building.

Shrink wrap building site screens: Installed shrink wrap construction screens to form continuous barriers along exposed elevations. Used heat to tension the film into a drum-tight skin, creating effective wind and weather barriers. Detailed seams and edges to reduce gaps where rain and debris could enter, while allowing for defined openings where access was required.

Weather, dust and privacy control: The tight, continuous enclosure helped deflect wind and rain, reducing direct exposure to the structure Screens acted as dust and debris control, limiting what could escape into surrounding areas The wrap also provided a level of privacy and visual screening, reducing distractions and presenting a tidy elevation to neighbours and passers-by

Live-site working: Installation was phased to suit the build programme, allowing works to continue beneath and behind the screens Entry points and routes for labour, access equipment and deliveries were kept open and clearly defined throughout

Results

Weatherproof building site screens reduced wind and rain impacts on the exposed structure, helping to minimise weather-related downtime. Construction activities were able to continue more consistently, supporting on-time progress for key phases Dust, debris and visual impact were better controlled, improving conditions around the Newcastle Helix development. Safe access routes were maintained while screens were in place, supporting worker safety and site logistics. The finished wrap gave The Spark a neat, modern appearance that complemented the wider regeneration scheme while works were underway.

Similar projects & next steps

TEcoShrink uses the same building site screen methods on exposed city-centre projects, business parks and live developments where weather and dust control are critical. For more examples, see our Construction Screens Case Studies hub, or visit our Dust & Weather Screens service page for methods, options and FAQs. Use the shrink wrap calculator.

If you’re facing wind, rain or dust risks on a live build, share your elevations, exposure and key dates and we’ll return a costed construction screen method and earliest start dates.

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FAQ

Why were building site screens needed at The Spark, Newcastle Helix?

The Spark’s exposed city-centre location meant frequent wind and rain were putting pressure on the construction programme. Building site screens were needed to reduce weather impacts on the structure, control dust and debris, and help the project stay on track in a busy urban environment.

How did the construction screens affect access and productivity?

The screens were planned around key access routes so entry points for labour, plant and deliveries stayed clear. By phasing installation and creating defined openings, EcoShrink was able to improve weather and dust control without restricting movement, helping productivity rather than hindering it.

Did the screens provide any benefits beyond weather protection?

Yes. As well as acting as wind and weather barriers, the shrink wrap screens helped contain dust and debris and provided a degree of privacy and noise reduction. This supported better conditions for workers on-site and reduced visual and acoustic impact on the surrounding Newcastle Helix development.