Royal View, Brighton, East Sussex

Project overview

Royal View is a high-rise residential building located in the centre of Brighton that underwent a major façade remediation programme as part of the UK Government’s Cladding Safety Scheme. The project focused on replacing the existing external envelope with a fully compliant, non-combustible façade solution that met current fire safety and performance requirements.

The works were delivered through a collaborative supply chain, with a strong emphasis on regulatory compliance, durability and long-term performance.

The challenge

The remediation project required a technically robust solution capable of addressing multiple constraints:

• Replacement of combustible façade materials on an occupied high-rise building
• Compliance with current fire safety legislation and Building Safety Act requirements
• Mixed substrates, including steel frame and masonry construction
• Restricted site access and limited storage due to the building’s city-centre location
• The need to improve thermal performance without altering the building’s form

The façade system also needed to provide long-term weather protection and low maintenance performance in a coastal environment.

The solution

A bespoke Wetherby external wall insulation solution was specified, combining systems suitable for both masonry and steel frame substrates. The façade incorporated non-combustible ROCKWOOL stone wool insulation throughout, delivering an A1 fire-rated solution suitable for high-rise residential use.

The insulation boards were mechanically fixed to the substrate and finished with Wetherby silicone render, providing a water-repellent yet vapour-permeable external finish. This combination delivers robust weather resistance while allowing moisture vapour to escape from the building fabric.

The system is certified by BBA and KIWA and is fully compliant with current fire and performance standards for high-rise residential buildings.

Installation

Installation of the façade system was carried out by APEX Facades Ltd, a Wetherby-recognised contractor, under the coordination of the main contractor. The works were carefully sequenced to minimise disruption to residents and to manage access constraints typical of dense urban sites.

Strong coordination across the project team ensured that façade works, cladding interfaces and associated components were integrated effectively, maintaining programme control and quality assurance throughout the installation.

Finishes and detailing

The façade was finished using Wetherby silicone render, selected for its durability, colour stability and resistance to weathering. The finish provides a uniform appearance across the building while delivering long-term protection against moisture ingress and environmental exposure.

Careful detailing was implemented at junctions and interfaces to ensure continuity of fire performance and weather resistance across the full building envelope.

The result

The completed remediation works delivered a fully non-combustible external wall system with significantly improved thermal performance. External wall U-values were reduced from approximately 1.30 W/(m²K) to 0.28 W/(m²K).

The upgraded façade provides enhanced fire safety, improved energy efficiency and a durable, low-maintenance external envelope suitable for long-term residential use.

Key facts

• System: Masonry and steel frame external wall insulation
• Substrates: Masonry and steel frame
• Insulation: Non-combustible stone wool
• Finish: Silicone render
• Fire performance: A1-rated system
• U-value improvement: From ~1.30 to 0.28 W/(m²K)