Metalline Architectural Fabrications

Number One Valentine Place is a new grade A office building and winner of the 2013 New London Architectural Award for an office building. The external façade of the property features a range of aluminium pressings, glazed in Ultima aluminium insulated panels and Feature Beam, Metalline’s renowned aluminium beam, along with fifty aluminium fins specifically designed to offer solar shading for the building’s south facing position. All pressings and panels were finished in a specialist blue grey anodised finish where Metalline’s superior application and expertise are becoming renowned with architects and contractors throughout the UK.

The new build £75m project is part of the regeneration of the Temple Quarter enterprise zone in the city and includes a new office development at 3 Glass Wharf. The office building which will be occupied by HMRC, features a shimmering external envelope with an amalgamation of glazed units and rainscreen panels finished in a palette of champagne and sea foam green. The result is an external facade that creates a symmetry with both the surrounding buildings and its proximity to the riverside area. Metalline supplied and manufactured over 3000m2 of bespoke aluminium rainscreen panels which included large 4.0metre x 2.0metre panels featuring a 3D effect diagonal crease across each panel to enhance the light and shaded appearance of the façade. Each of these panels were finished and delivered in batch quantity to ensure continuity of colour. Working closely with Darling Associates and Glassolutions, Metalline produced a special bespoke support bracket to accommodate the 3D effect panels. These were pre-assembled in factory-controlled conditions to shorten installation time on site. Metalline also supplied a range of aluminium interlocking soffits in varying lengths and widths that create an eye-catching feature to each of the 8 storey balconies. Metalline has continued to invest in state-of-the-art machinery and has led the industry with having capacity to process material of up to 6.0metres, this includes a custom made 6.5metre vacuum bonding tent press, 6.0metre press brake and router beds. This investment has given Metalline the ability to offer solutions for designers and architects that previously were not available.

The Bourne Business Park in Weybridge Surrey has recently completed two new attractive office spaces totalling over 90,000 square feet. This smart office space built for La Salle Investment Management by Volker Fitzpatrick features new thinking in office design and features a range of metal fabrications on the external envelope manufactured and supplied by Metalline. Using high grade J57S UP aluminium, Metalline manufactured and supplied a range of aluminium pressed components. These included a specialist fascia panel that incorporated bespoke internal supports to ensure that the front face of the panels remained extremely flat together with heads, jambs and cills, for the window pods. To accentuate the flat clean lines of the building, Metalline produced a special secret internal dual toggle, which guaranteed that each panel was aligned correctly and there was uniformity across all the panels. Designed to attract the eye these smart office spaces feature panels and pressings finished in a specialist Regency Gold 2 anodised finish together with glazed in panels in RAL 7035 light grey that were also supplied by Metalline.

The project aimed to faithfully reproduce the original design while incorporating a 25-year warranted non-combustible façade system for long-term durability and reliability. Metalline’s Unity A2 Secret Fix rainscreen system, known for its non-combustible cassette design and easy installation, was chosen to fulfil these objectives. The system offered numerous benefits, including excellent fire performance, UV resistance, and seamless appearance.

Rainscreen cladding specialists Metalline are the first to use an innovative stone textured finish on their range of CWCT certified Unity rainscreen cladding panels. The finish, which to the naked eye looks like stone is a perfect substitute for natural stone cladding panels and offers a range of cost saving benefits. The use of aluminum also offers the architect more design options. Metalline, who have worked closely with contractors Alumet on a number of capital projects in London presented their new finish to the design team and outlined the huge cost savings that could be achieved by specifying their aluminium Unity rainscreen panel with the new stone textured PPC applied. The external façade when completed will feature over 3000 panels, both flat and curved in stone white and include fittings and bracketry for a unitized system. This ability to mirror a natural finish on aluminium Unity rainscreen panels has led to a number of interesting approaches from developers looking to enhance the external envelope of their project. Metalline’s expertise in fascia finishes extends beyond Polyester Powder Coating applications. Taking advantage of the latest research and development into anodised finishes has seen Metalline engaged by a number of leading architects and contractors to advise and supply fabricated aluminium with an anodised finish whose colour is guaranteed for the life cycle of a building. Available in a full range of Anolok anodising finishes, specifiers are now able to enhance the aesthetic look and feel of a building’s façade in a choice of colours including Natural Silver, Bronzes from light to dark, Regency Gold 1 & 2, Black and specialist Anolok anodising II Blue-Grey and Stone-Grey finishes. The Metalline range of Unity rainscreen panels and Ultima insulated panels are made from solid aluminium and use an A1 rated non – combustible insulation core on their insulated panels to help meet the latest requirements in fire safety.

A range of Ultima aluminium insulated panels incorporating an eye catching perforated outer skin have been specified on the new Reflector residential development at Chambers Wharf in The Southwark district of London. Designed by Simpson Haugh Architecture the properties featured over 1500 sq metres of Ultima aluminium insulated panels glazed in to the structural glazed system across multiple buildings on the development. Each of the panels were finished in a distinctive Basalt Grey PPC colour, that featured a unique perforated outer skin which stood proud of the glazed in panel. These were fitted via a toggle system together with an internal channel surround that added to the distinctive appearance of the building. Ultima aluminium insulated panels are a highly versatile façade panel that can be adapted to fit a variety of external applications. Available in sizes up to and including 6000mm x 2000mm, Ultima panels are fire tested to BS476, provide excellent thermal performance and are supplied with A1 non-combustible insulation materials. They are available in a wide range of high grade anodised colours and PPC finishes.

The refurbishment has turned a dilapidated 1970’s office block into a ‘BREEAM Excellent’ building with a bright and airy interior and a visually stunning exterior that has created an iconic landmark within Eastleigh city centre. Metalline’s glazed in Ultima aluminium insulated panels have provided the finishing touch to the external façade of the recently refurbished council offices in Eastleigh, Hampshire. The refurbishment has turned a dilapidated 1970’s office block into a ‘BREEAM Excellent’ building with a bright and airy interior and a visually stunning exterior that has created an iconic landmark within Eastleigh city centre. The exterior façade featured a range of horizontal, corner and vertical Ultima panels glazed in on all four sides to a Kawneer structural glazed system. Each of the 50 vertical panels were manufactured by Metalline in aluminium in 3150 mm lengths and joined together to form an impressive 6300mm long aspect. The Ultima flat panels were finished in a grey Syntha Pulvin, whereas the Ultima feature panels complete with a 76mm projection were finished in both green and white Syntha Pulvin, these added a stylish and modern appearance to the building envelope. Metalline’s Ultima aluminium insulated panels are extremely versatile and possess excellent acoustic, thermal and fire performance ratings. They are typically produced using class A1 non-combustible insulation core and can be adapted to fit a variety of facade details, which include the ability to be glazed into a standard curtain walling, or as in the Eastleigh project, a structural glazing system. The panels can also be perforated and manufactured into a variety of shapes to meet the most challenging design criteria. Unity aluminium insulated panels can now be fabricated in an impressive 6000mm in one length.

Sandwiched between a retail unit and some 2000 square feet of office space, the seven storey shuttered façade reflects the historical military tailors that used to occupy this part of London. Their tailoring techniques, forms of embroidery and bronze detailed shop fronts were an inspiration for the architects Squire and Partners, whose detailed design of the bronze panelled façade, included glimpses of deep red in the shutter reveals with 45mm diameter punched holes intended to replicate the stripes on a Sergeants uniform. Fabricated on a CNC turret punch press using high grade J57S UP aluminium, the exterior featured hook on Unity rainscreen panels finished in bronze anodised and aluminium infills in a red polyester powder coating. The balcony detail was enhanced with impressive folding shutter doors designed to offer, security, shading, ventilation and noise control from the streets below. The outer skin to the shutters was finished in bronze anodised to match the exterior panels. They also featured a regency gold anodised finish to the side plates and a red polyester powder coating to the interior screen that when folded added to the aesthetic design of the building.

The new HMRC regional hub at the Arena Central complex in Birmingham has provided over 240,000 sqft of grade A commercial space over its ground and 13 upper floors. The building features an external envelope of geometric glass and aluminium facades that create an iconic feature to this area of central Birmingham. Working closely with the façade contractor NACWL, specialist architectural metal fabricator Metalline have manufactured and supplied over 9000 m2 of aluminium Unity Rainscreen Panels from their recently extended facility in Cannock. Delivery which commenced in September was completed within 10 weeks. The specification also included over 5000 m2 of Ultima Insulated Spandrel panels along with soffits, column casings and transition panels. The detailed design of the building’s façade demanded a uniformity of colours which was achieved using a single ingot of J57S Up aluminium. The Ultima Insulated Spandrel Panels were finished in a black polyester powder coating. The individual Unity rainscreen panels were supplied in a two – tone specialist 1934 and 1953 Unatex silver anodised finish.

Designed by architects Studio E, the BREEAM Excellent rated building features over 2,000 Ultima aluminium insulated panels in varying lengths and depths up to 4500mm and 800mm respectively, finished in four different RAL colours The company also supplied a range of ventilated Bird’s Beak style panels, pressings, copings and cills that further added to the overall aesthetic of the building’s façade. The Ultima aluminium insulated panels were designed, supplied and manufactured by Metalline Architectural Fabrications. Metalline has become one of the UK’s leading fabricators of specialist architectural fabrication in the UK, developing innovative solutions for a range of flagship projects. Finished in four different RAL colours – reed green, pastel green, light green and mint turquoise – the overall effect of the multi coloured, multi-dimensional panels is one of inspiration that sits perfectly with the ultimate goals of the Academy’s vision for its pupils future. Metalline’s Ultima aluminium insulated panels are extremely versatile and possess excellent acoustic, thermal and fire performance ratings. They are typically produced using class A1 non-combustible insulation core and can be adapted to fit a variety of facade details, which include the ability to be glazed into a standard curtain walling or structural glazing system. The panels can also be perforated and manufactured into a variety of shapes to meet the most challenging design criteria. Ultima aluminium insulated panels can be fabricated up to an impressive 6000mm in one length.

Working in close co-operation with the building envelope and façade contractor Colorminium, Metalline have produced a range of bespoke 3D twisted fins that will when complete take centre stage on the exterior of the redeveloped Minories Hotel in the City of London. This stunning feature was the brainchild of ACME architects who in collaboration with The Murphy Façade studio have designed a series of full storey aluminium fins that clad the existing precast frame and create a bridge between that and the unitised glazing. Fabricated offsite at Metalline’s state of the art manufacturing facility in Cannock, these 42 metre height fins were produced in 3.5 metre lengths with a depth of over 800mm. Manufactured in 2 parts, each element was assembled using a combination of aluminium stud welding and bonding techniques developed by Metalline. The fins were then fitted to the glazed panels using an aluminium bracket support system to ensure structural integrity. Finished in dark and light bronze PPC to mimic an anodised effect, the fins will create shading for the hotel’s occupants as well as an iconic architectural vista for this stand out landmark project.

Architectural fabrication specialist Metalline worked closely with Associated Architects, Glassolutions and United Anodisers to produce a range of bespoke rainscreen panels in anodised silver and a striking two tone striped anodised bronze to enhance the brick and glazed façade of the new centre. The two tone bronze effect is a first for the UK and one that Metalline rigourously tested and trialed in conjunction with partnering anodisers. Over 3000m2 of aluminium rainscreen panels were supplied in varying lengths up to 4000mm length x 2000mm wide. The panels were then individually referenced and then installed together to achieve the desired effect. In addition Metalline also supplied fascias and soffits together with their range of perforated rainscreen panels, finished in a black polyester powder coating that added a further dimension to the finish of the building’s façade. With over 30 years experience and an enviable reputation nationwide, Metalline have successfully developed into one of the leading fabricators of specialist architectural metalwork in the UK. Their latest state of the art manufacturing equipment and extended production capability allows a highly skilled workforce to deliver precision engineered metalwork on time and to exact specification. This expertise coupled with an ability to react to even the most challenging of design criteria, has led to Metalline’s architectural fabrications being specified by architects and contractors on a wide range of prestigious projects throughout the United Kingdom. Their relationship with specialist suppliers within the coatings and finishes sector has enabled us to develop unique and exceptional finishes to meet almost any design criteria. This coupled with our new 3D design offering is bringing a whole new dimension to what designers and architects can achieve.

Metalline have been involved with the Quartermile project from it’s very beginning, producing high-quality aluminium fabrications from building to building. The project is due to finish in 2019, and Metalline are continuously providing a variety of products for the remainder of the development’s lifespan. Quartermile is a development in the heart of Edinburgh, located on the site of the former Victorian Royal Infirmary. Neighbouring the University of Edinburgh and famous Meadows Park, Quartermile is one of the most sought-after pieces of land in the Scottish capital. Development over the last 10 years has seen the UNESCO world heritage site transformed into an iconic piece of Edinburgh architecture. Metalline’s aluminium products feature heavily throughout the Quartermile development, most prominently with our specified Feature Beam and copings. The innovative production department was able to manufacture deep Feature Beam pressings through a combination of press braking and routering techniques. The coping profiles also provided challenges as they were particularly large with complex corner details, of which Metalline were able to assist at the design stage and manufacture the products to exact specification.

News that The Curve in Slough has won an LABC award in the “Best Public Building” category, has delighted Metalline who supplied a wide range of architectural aluminium fabrications on the project. At the heart of a £450m regeneration scheme, The Curve is Sloughʼs premier cultural centre. Now complete, it houses a new library, café, museum, performance venue and learning rooms. The iconic project features a bespoke cladding system curved on plan and in section. The complex geometry involved to the North, East and West elevations meant that Metalline were involved from an early stage with contractors Colorminium, who took responsibility for the detailed design and delivery of the full building envelope. Once Colorminium had specified their requirements for the project to Metalline, the architectural aluminium was supplied promptly and to the exact measurements and detailing. The bespoke cladding system features a range of Metallineʼs curved and straight fascia panels, Secret Fix soffits and curved Secret Fix hook on Unity rainscreen panels complete with welded studs to the rear and curved carrier system. All panels and soffits were finished in a polyester powder coated RAL 9006 metallic silver finish to give the building a modern and high quality appeal. Metallineʼs aluminium rainscreen cladding now has CWCT certification which has provided architects and specifiers with limitless possibilities for their projects enabling them to use unique and elegant rainscreen designs.

Unit 25 Cambridge Science Park is a state of the art facility providing laboratories and office space for Bio tech and Med Tech companies. This BREEAM Good facility was built by SDC and features an external façade of glass, metallic panels and fins for solar shading. At each corner of the building a chamfered picture frame feature of curtain walling and panels, adds to the modern design. Metalline who manufacture a range of architectural fabrications worked closely with MTW Architectural the specialist façade contractor to ensure that all materials were delivered on time and to exact specification. They supplied in excess of 1000m2 of A2 Ultima insulated panels, Unity interlocking rainscreen panels, interlocking soffits, copings, pressings and cills for the project.The picture frame finish to the corners of the building were finished in a slate grey polyester powder coating. The horizontal rainscreen panels used to break up the expanse of glass shown on the front of the building were finished in tiger drylac 068/70764 PPC This finish mimics an anodised finish and features on all four sides of the building 

Metalline’s glazed in Ultima aluminium insulated panels have provided a specialist touch to the recently completed Weybridge Business Park in the Borough of Runnymede. The commercial office park features a number of office buildings that have been refurbished as part of a redevelopment for Standard Life Investments. The bespoke glazed in panels which feature on the window surrounds to the 1st and 2nd floors were coated in PPC golden beach metallic and feature a fluted design that met the architects vision for the external envelope of the building. The aluminum outer face was fitted with extruded box sections to give the fluted appearance. The aluminium section was then sealed using specialist rivets designed by Metalline for this specific application. Each of the 2 metre panels were then vacuum bonded using Metalline’s new 6-metre vacuum bonding press. Ultima panels are traditionally specified in aluminium with either an anodised finish in natural silver, bronze, black or blue-grey or in a range of polyester powder coated RAL and metallic colours. They can also be provided with a noncombustible A1 fire rated core. Alternative facings such as perforated aluminium, stainless steel or can be incorporated to create a truly bespoke panel.