alsecco (UK) Ltd

Material, structure and form are the key design elements of any façade. However, using carefully considered colours in harmony with these elements can dramatically enhance both the architectural concept and built environment. alsecco's Creative Colour System is the ideal tool for modern architectural design. With a standard range of 18 colour groups, each having a minimum of 28 graduated shades from light to dark, the standard list can accommodate most design concepts. However should a bespoke tone be required, a full colourmatching service is available. The extensive tonal palette of alsecco's Creative Colour System does not only offer pastel shades typical of traditional renders, but offers dark and intensive hues - in fact almost any shade is possible.

This brochure is designed to assist in the quick, safe and successful application of alsecco systems. We know only too well the demands made on the contractor are increasing all the time. We believe it is not only our job to manufacture products and systems for the façade but also to explain these products and systems to you. At alsecco this starts with courses run at our Training and Technology Centre, where you can find out all you need to know about alsecco products and their application. However our support is not confined to the theory we also provide support for you on site. alseccos technical advisors will assist through all construction phases of your project and be on hand to answer questions and help with problems as and when required.

Representing the first External Wall Insulation (EWI) system to offer unique carbon fibre technology, Alprotect Carbon is a revelation in façade durability. Offering maximum resistance to mechanical stress (up to 60 joules) in combination with improved thermal performance, Alprotect Carbon fuses the extreme toughness and versatility of carbon fibre reinforcement with ultra-modern façade technology. A premium façade system like no other, Alprotect Carbon sets a new standard in durability for slim-line systems. Through extensive development work, alsecco have created a patented system that achieves enormous stability and unrivalled impact strength by utilising the most modern façade technology available.

Gale & Snowden Architects specified alseccos Basic 1 external wall insulation system for the construction of 14 Passivhaus units in Exeter. Following on from the success and lessons learnt on a previous scheme, Exeter City Council commissioned the architects, who are Passivhaus Trust members, for this project. The developments of Brookway and Bennett Square are the Councils second programme of council-owned builds in Exeter and form part of an on-going strategy to build more council homes to address fuel poverty in the area. Gale & Snowden Architects designed the properties to the Passivhaus Standard adopting a fabric-first approach whilst also addressing the issue of fuel poverty and the need to ensure residents fuel bills would be kept to a minimum.

alseccos external wall insulation system with a clay slip finish was specified for Bircherley Court, a flexicare housing scheme for older people in the centre of Hertford. Since part of the project was an over-cladding specification and the other part a complete new build, a specific requirement of the project was to match the two buildings together seamlessly. Using local bricks, alsecco could ensure that the clay slips applied to the new extension would perfectly match the over-cladding slips on the existing building.

Airtec Natural Stone ventilated cladding system was specified for the Dickson Poon University of Oxford China Centre Building in the grounds of St Hughs College. The University of Oxford has been regarded as Europes leading centre for the study of China for some time and now this dedicated building can bring together academics with an interest in China under the same roof. A total of 1300 square metres of Airtec Stone panels were used for the buildings façade. Two natural stone finishes were used Limestone Palais, a white limestone with shell content and Sandstone Blaxter, a buff-coloured sandstone from Northumbria

Bringing together acrylic, clay, stone and ceramic finishes for both exterior and interior use, collection alsecco ensures outstanding design and creative opportunities for architects, designers and specifiers, plus a choice of material - all under one roof. All materials within the collection alsecco range are compatible with both alsecco’s insulated and uninsulated systems. An excellent economical solution for both renovation and new build projects alike, offering many possibilities for building owners, architects, town planners and those concerned with maintaining historical character.

Lithodecors Airtec lightweight ventilated rainscreen cladding was specified by Atkins for the major redevelopment of Farringdon Station as part of the north-south Thameslink Programme. Both Airtec Stone and Glass have been utilised on the project as the systems are completely compatible, with both systems being used on the interior facades as well. In total 2600m2 Airtec natural stone panels, up to 3m in size, have been installed on the project; the finish being a beige-coloured Jura Limestone. 400m2 of Airtec Glass panels, in white glass have been installed, again with panels up to 3m in height. The panels form part of the exterior facia of the station whilst also being used extensively through the ticket hall area and onto the platform too.

The council was determined to have a landmark building at this busy junction in Harrow and alsecco acrylic slips were used to ensure that this was created. The architects vision was to have a colour scheme of vibrant panels in reds, yellows and blues which was largely inspired by the costume of the Maasai tribe in Kenya. alsecco was the only manufacturer able to ensure that the uniqueness of the colours required could be matched and they worked closely with the architect to ensure that all the brick slip colours were exactly as specified. The brick slips were handcrafted to exacting technical standards using high quality mineral materials in a modern production process with the finish carried out by specialists to create the handcrafted and credible appearance.

Lithodecor lightweight façades featuring natural stone and glass offer a wide range of shapes and design options that have inspired not only architects but also their clients. The systems are ideal for new build projects as well as for the refurbishment of older buildings. Lithodecor offers individual, sophisticated solutions based on first-class product quality.

alseccos external wall insulation system incorporating a glazed ceramic tile finish has recently been installed on an interesting project in Kingston upon Thames, Surrey. The scheme had been approved to convert and extend vertically a retail /office development to a retail development with private apartments. Trinder Architectural Ltd, Chartered Architectural Technologists, specified the alsecco system as they had previous experience of the system and were impressed with its versatility, since the ceramic tiles could be used externally.

Münchener Rückversicherungs-Gesellschaft AG bought Siemens-Nixdorfs former computer centre in Munich, a well preserved yet dated 1980s building. The planning team at Berlin architects Sauerbruch Hutton, won an architecture competition to redevelop the site. A vital factor in realising this ambitious design concept for the glass façade was the specification of Lithodecors Airtec Glass ventilated rainscreen cladding system by the architect. The Airtec Glass system is an extremely impact-resistant composite panel consisting of toughened safety glass (ESG) bonded to a special lightweight concrete carrier. The panels can be up to 4.7m2 in size and are fixed in position using special concealed clips that allow each one to be accurately adjusted both horizontally and vertically

Chiltern Railways has launched the first new rail link between a major British city and London in over 100 years and built two new stations Bicester Village and Oxford Parkway. alseccos external wall insulation system with a ceramic slip and render finish was specified by CJCT Architects for the iconic station facades. CJCT Architects had experience of working with alsecco and had specified the same system with a ceramic slip on a recent project. Basic 4 was chosen due to the systems ability to realise the curve of the feature glazed brick slip wall whilst also achieving a watertight building early in the construction process, through the use of a Fermacell cement particle board.

Potsdam-Golm University has become one of the foremost research establishments in Brandenburg, Germany. The new IKMZ - Information, Communication and Media Centre is another addition to the campus. With its striking façade of printed glass and dark natural stone, this new building designed by Berlin-based architects Staab clearly stands out against its surroundings – like a giant meteorite! Except for the few large windows of the reading room, the façade appears to be a largely unbroken black envelope. For the elegant façade they specified Airtec Stone and Airtec Glass, Lithodecor’s lightweight ventilated rainscreen cladding system.