Sheares Hall Newcastle

At Sheares Hall, a major new student accommodation development on St James Boulevard in Newcastle, the façade strategy needed to balance architectural quality with strict performance, fire-safety and cost-efficiency targets. The project adopted DryKlad® across the primary residential elevations, with DryKlad Datona® introduced to deliver a refined, contemporary finish on key feature zones.

A significant advantage came from the use of the A2-rated DryKlad® isolator, which enabled a 100 mm reduction in the overall cladding zone without compromising thermal or fire performance. This leaner façade build-up not only improved spatial efficiency but also unlocked a 27% material cost saving at RIBA Stage 4, achieved through reduced insulation depth, a lighter substructure requirement and optimised bracket geometry — all contributing to a more economical and sustainable envelope.

The combination of DryKlad® and DryKlad Datona® provided Sheares Hall with a high-performance, fully compliant Rainscreen system capable of meeting the demands of a dense urban site. The resulting façade is modern, durable and precisely engineered, supporting the building’s role within the wider regeneration of the Newcastle Helix district while demonstrating the tangible project-stage value of an intelligent, engineered cladding support solution.