RAICO

The Life Sciences Building at the University of Bristol isn’t just a research hub—it’s a place designed to connect people. With flowing aluminium forms wrapping cutting-edge labs, traditional Bath stone nodding to the past, and a bright atrium at its core, it blends old and new to spark curiosity and collaboration. A RAICO steel curtain wall with structural glazing keeps the whole thing light-filled and high-performance—just like the science happening inside.

Tucked away down Rivington Street in Shoreditch, The Black & White Building stands as a pioneering example of sustainable architecture in central London. The structure is framed by a RAICO timber curtain wall made of glued laminated timber (glulam), complementing the building's cross laminated timber (CLT) skeleton. This combination not only underscores the aesthetic and functional potential of mass timber but also exemplifies modern sustainable design. The kiln-dried tulipwood louvered façade serves a dual purpose, effectively managing solar gain while enhancing the natural beauty of the timber, both inside and out.Architect: Waugh Thistleton Architects @waughthistletonarchitectsFabricator: PacegradeStructural Timber Engineer: @engenuitiBuilder: TOG (The Office Group) @theofficegroupSystem: RAICO THERM+ H-I (Timber Curtain Wall)Photography: Ed Reeve @editphoto

Nottingham University’s Centre for Sustainable Chemistry is no ordinary lab—this carbon-neutral facility redefines what scientific spaces can be. Designed with sustainability at its core, it pairs technical complexity with architectural clarity.Proudly featuring our THERM+ H-I Timber Curtain Wall, the facade blends spruce interiors with larch outer cappings, forming a warm, natural envelope that speaks to the building’s ecological ethos. Specialist requirements—like integrated blast louvres in lab areas—were seamlessly incorporated without disrupting the visual rhythm of the glazing.Elsewhere, timber-framed rooflights with built-in photovoltaics continue the story: a building that generates its own energy and sets a new benchmark for sustainable design in the UK.