"rainscreen cladding"

International Timber recently headed to Lincoln to supply beautiful external Accoya cladding to Starbucks for their new outdoor drive-thru.

Project type: EducationLocation: Wimbledon High School, London, SW19 4ABProject Cost: £21mProduct: Rainscreen with ExtrusionsFinish (Extrusions): Syntha Pulvin RAL 7047 Matt Telegrau 4Finish (Panel): Syntha Pulvin RAL 7021 Matt Black GreyProduct: Fascia Soffit to Eaves, Verge & RIdgeFinish: Syntha Pulvin RAL 7021 Matt Black GreyProduct: Vertical Feature FinsFinish: Syntha Pulvin RAL 7021 Matt Black GreyProduct: Copings & Rainwater PipesFinish: Syntha Pulvin RAL 7021 Matt Black GreyFire Rating: A2 s1, d0 Non-combustible (Reaction to Fire EN BS 13501-1:2018)Product: Monocoque Support System (Galv)Fire Rating: A1 Non-combustible (Reaction to Fire EN BS 13501-1:2018)Client: Neilcott Construction LTDArchitect: IID ArchitectsContractor: Neilcott Construction LTDPhotography: IID Architects & John Nason

Architect: GSS ArchitectureInstaller: Teams RoofingStone: Fletcher Bank SandstoneGSS Architecture were the lead architects for the £11m Enterprise and Innovation Centre in the heart of Sunderland.The development of a large new building next to a Grade II listed building contrasts the old and the new with some style.The Aztec Rainscreen System comprised a ventilated Fletcher Bank Sandstone façade at 40mm and was installed by Teams Roofing. Completion was in 2016.

When completed, A3 New Bailey in Manchester will be one of Europe’s greenest buildings. Not only has it been designed to achieve the toughest sustainability ratings, it will also feature Europe’s largest living wall. But as with any innovative project, it presented some major challenges when it came to the specification of the rainscreen façade system. Meeting the target U-value Lester Cladding NW Ltd were responsible for the design and build of the façade. A rock mineral wool product with a thermal conductivity of 0.035 W/mK had been specified. But when conducting the calculations, they instantly ran into a problem. An insulation depth of 240mm was required to achieve the U-value of 0.15W/m2K.  Jamie Simm, Operations Director at Lester Cladding NW Ltd explained: “There was a strict external and internal boundary, so we needed to keep the façade wall build-up within those measurements. But the amount of insulation needed to meet the target U-value increased the depth of the wall, pushing it over the boundary line.” When looking for an alternative solution, the company approached Knauf Insulation’s Project Specification Team to discuss the brief. As well as meeting the thermal performance requirement, the insulation needed to comply with building regulations that ban the use of combustible materials in the external walls of certain buildings over 18m tall. It also needed to help reduce noise and meet the project’s sustainability targets.  After running 3D U-value calculations, Knauf Insulation’s Technical Support Team recommended 170mm Rocksilk® RainScreen Slab for the ventilated façade, a rock mineral wool insulation which has a thermal conductivity of 0.034 W/mK. For the Steel Frame System (SFS), they recommended 150mm OmniFit® Slab 35, a glass mineral wool insulation with a thermal conductivity of 0.035 W/mK.  This combination reduced the thickness of the wall build-up by a significant 70mm, ensuring the U-value could be met within the required parameter for the wall build-up. Simms said: “Not only did Rocksilk® RainScreen Slab offer superior U-value performance for a slimmer profile, it reduced costs across the whole build. As well as reducing the quantity of insulation required, we could use smaller helping hand brackets and thinner fire barriers for example. It was the product that steered the job through.” In addition to achieving the required thermal performance, both products are non-combustible with a Euroclass A1 reaction to fire classification. This means they will not add to the development or spread of fire, so comply with the building regulations. Rocksilk® RainScreen Slab is also British Board of Agrément (BBA) certified for use in buildings of any height and for the broadest range of thicknesses and build-ups of any rainscreen solution on the market. Mineral wool also has an open fibre matrix, which means it has sound absorbent properties. The insulation will help to reduce noise from the busy city centre location and from disturbing residents. Project complexity The choice of insulation was not the only challenge for the build. There is no template for supporting Europe’s biggest living wall. So, Lester Cladding NW Ltd needed to draw on their own extensive knowledge and expertise, as well as that of the whole supply chain to create a bespoke solution from the ground up.   One problem with this approach, was that every potential solution impacted another aspect of the façade build-up. To overcome this, Lester Cladding NW Ltd took the unusual step of arranging a meeting between representatives from eight different design and manufacturing partners. Together they discussed the whole system ‘screw by screw’.  “Getting everyone sitting around the table meant that all our manufacturing and design partners were completely engaged. They understood what we were trying to achieve, and all worked together to find the best solution.” There was one particular factor that could affect the insulation – water. While a living wall utilises planting schemes that thrive in drier conditions, a 4,000m2 living façade still requires a lot of watering – something that could introduce lots of extra moisture into the system. Knauf Insulation’s Rocksilk® RainScreen Slab has a water-repellent additive that promotes water run-off and ensures the slab will maintain its integrity. A traditional façade system prevents the insulation from getting saturated by rainwater, while the ventilation reduces the build-up of condensation and allows the insulation to dry out if it does get wet.  However, the water-repellent additive does not make the insulation waterproof, so it needed protection from the constant flow of water from the irrigation system. As a result, an additional breather membrane was installed to prevent moisture from penetrating the façade system and affecting the insulation. Sustainability A3 New Bailey has been designed to UKGBC’s Net Zero Carbon Framework and WELL Building Standard principles, as well as to achieve BREEAM Outstanding and Wired Score Platinum ratings. This meant the sustainability of the construction materials themselves was also important.  Here Knauf Insulation’s products ticked all the boxes too. Its glass and rock mineral wool insulation are made from materials that come from either naturally abundant sources or are recycled. For example, its glass mineral wool is made with upto 80% recycled glass from locally collected and processed household bottles and jars. Glass mineral wool has the lowest levels of embodied carbon of any mainstream insulation material. So, combining the use of both Knauf Insulation glass and rock mineral wool meant that the insulation solution for A3 New Bailey had less embodied carbon than a traditional all-rock insulation solution. Both products are also manufactured with ECOSE® Technology, Knauf Insulation's unique bio-based binder that contains no added formaldehyde or phenol. ECOSE® Technology is made from natural raw materials that are rapidly renewable and is 70% less energy-intensive to manufacture than a traditional binder. They also generate low levels of dust and VOCs and have been awarded the Eurofins Gold Certificate for Indoor Air Comfort. This contributes to the health of both installers and residents. Its entire glass mineral wool product range is also Declare Red List Free, which means that it does not contain any harmful chemicals on the ‘Red List’.  Thanks to Knauf Insulation’s advice, technical support and high-performance insulation solutions, Lester Cladding NW Ltd was able to deliver the rainscreen façade for A3 New Bailey – and with it, Europe’s largest living wall.

Accoya was specified by Hofland Architectenbureau for the cladding, windows and doors for this primary school located in Barneveld, Netherlands. Supplied by Boogaerdt Hout, an Accoya distributor the 38 x 45 mm Accoya cladding was selected because of its class 1 durability, stability and sustainability properties. Windows and doors were manufactured by VIOS van den Hondel, Driebruggen and the contractor was Van Driesten Bouw.

Architect: Redbox Design GroupMain Contractor: Tolent Construction Installer: Metcalfe Roofing & Building Services LtdStone: Cebecca LimestoneThe Sunderland Hilton Garden Inn, on the banks of the River Wear, is a 141 room hotel featuring MX curtain walling as well as Aztec 20mm Cebecca limestone Ventilated Rainscreen. Designed By Redbox the architects wanted a light and spacious building without the need for a heavy support system. The glass and limestone mix imparts this vision perfectly. Completed in 2016 The Aztec system was installed by Metcalf Roofing & Building.

Accoya cladding was selected by contractor Jephsons for the new KFC restaurant in Stourbridge. Along with a new Costa and McDonalds, the £5million development is the latest venture by Guernsey-based Jumbuk Ltd. After performing well with respect to stability and retained aesthetics on a KFC concept design store over the past 18 months, Accoya was chosen for the project. Finished in a Sansin coating this Accoya cladding also offers a stunning aesthetic appearance. For this project Accoya was distributed by James Latham and installed by Protec Roofing.

Aluminium and real timber claddingThe best aluminium cladding for your private home, extension, renovation is Technowood ® cladding. It is faster than most cladding systems to install and has been available for almost 30 years. Tried, tested, analyzed and put through its paces in some of the toughest weather locations Technowood has proved itself a worthy product.How does Timber cladding weatherThere are many solid timbers used as conventional cladding, the main complaint being that the weathering is inconsistent. The colours fade at different rates which may look unsightly.UV light damages wood because it breaks down the wood’s lignin. Lignin is a component of wood that strengthens the cell walls and holds the fibres together. This process is called photo-oxidation.Technowood doesn’t suffer in the same way. This is because the manufacturing process of the veneer and the resins used to replace the lignin; thus negating the short comings of normal timber.You can’t really stop natural timber from weathering. However, with Technowood you can be assured of consistency.How to avoid water staining on claddingAvoiding water stains on timber cladding is something of a myth. Unless you maintain your cladding almost weekly there will always be indications of water staining. It is a product exposed to the elements and as such will be at least damp for most of the year; therefore will show water staining.Completed in 2012 this project is in Samsun, turkey. Receives full exposure from the sun and heavy rain (don’t think it doesn’t rain in Turkey as it does, it snows too). This project called for Technowood because it would keep the natural colour of the timber for much longer compared to normal timber cladding.Can normal timber cladding be warrantied?Under normal circumstances, you can’t warranty normal timber; unless it has gone through pressure treating or surface treatment that has such a warranty. These warranties are not ambiguous so long as the treatment process is followed to the letter of instruction.“The warranty for Technowood products is 20 years”.Salt Spray TestingSalt spray testing, a practice of checking the corrosion resistance of the surface of materials that have a coating. During salt spray testing, an accelerated corrosive attack is produced in order to measure the performance. This demonstrates how well the coating protects the metal. “Salt spray test has been done to our veneered material by IFT Rosenheim Germany and its succeeded.” Technowood aluminium and timber veneer claddingThe products available from Technowood are in standard width dimensions from 100mm, 150mm and 200mm. They look like real wood because it’s a real wood veneer. The product has very little to no maintenance; It also carries Fire Rating A2. This is perfect to future proof your propertyWe have a showroom in Sky House Design centre where you may visit for free samples, brochures and consultation.

11,500m2 of Optima TFC+ in 3.0mm Aluminium PPC Interpon D2525 YW206F, Y4312I, Y4317I has been used in the completion of Abbey Place in London.Sitting within walking distance of Cross Rail station, with excellent links to central London, the development comprises two energy efficient residential buildings, one standing at 22 storeys, and the other at 12 storeys.Optima TFC+, Sotech’s through fixed cassette rainscreen, was selected as the perfect solution for creating the three-sided vertical and horizontal column units, whilst maintaining optimum system performance.To validate system performance against the project specific loads and panel profiles, Sotech undertook many FEM studies to ensure the system performed in line with expectations. This also ensured that the correct number of stiffening members and the appropriate fixing requirements were dealt with prior to the project commencing, ensuring a smooth flow of information.The Interpon D2525 Stone Effect range was selected to provide GRC and Natural Concrete look-a-like finishes. Along with the metallic YW206F, all finishes are Qualicoat Class 2 approved and offer an A2-s1,d0 fire rating to the façade.Abbey Place is a development of 245 new homes across two buildings. Linked by a shared communal garden, the new homes provide quality housing, with connections to central London and beyond via the Elizabeth Line.Optima TFC+ has been fire tested to BS8414-2:2015, and classified to BR135 for high rise buildings. A full range of Euroclass A1 and A2 – s1,d0 panel materials from 2mm – 4mm are available. Click here to learn more about the materials and finishes available, and to explore 3D models of the system in Sotech’s virtual showroom.Aluminium PPC is a type of dry coating, rather than a conventional liquid paint, and is applied to metal rainscreen as a free flowing, dry powder. The powder is applied to rainscreen panels electrostatically and is then cured under heat to allow it to form a ‘skin’. This electrostatic powder process means we can ensure complete coverage of the panels, even on more complex shapes.Powder coating can produce a much thicker coating than conventional liquid coating leaving PPC rainscreen cladding with a hard finish. This is much tougher than normal paint and its strong abrasion and corrosion resistance properties make it extremely durable and long lasting.TESTIMONIALS James Harris, Managing Director at OCL said: “Sotech are long-term supply chain partners of OCL. At Abbey Place Sotech once again provided a first class service from start to finish.The façade was originally specified as GRC, but with early engagement and a collaborative approach, our respective teams were able to come up with a look-a-like solution, using the Interpon D2525 Stone Effect range, which was both cost effective and aesthetically appealing.The completed scheme looks exceptional and is a testament to all involved” Craig Skidmore, Radan Programmer at Sotech, said:“Abbey place was a great job to work on, utilising both of our punch machines. For the complex parts we punched them on our Pullmax punch machine. On our Salvagnini S4 & P4 the standard TFC+ parts flew through our production line using parametric programming it was great to see the line work so efficiently on this job.” Jamie Brown, Business Development Manager at Sotech, added:“Like the rest of the industry at the time, we were facing considerable cost increases across the board. It was therefore vital that we engaged a supply chain that could offer us cost certainty and could confidently meet the clients programme and keep up with demand throughout. The outcome is another amazing project delivered with OCL Facades. The quality of work from early stage design to installation was exceptional by the OCL team. A massive thank you to our supply chain for their continued support. The two buildings look fantastic!”

Accoya was chosen for this external application as it met all of the stability and durability requirements for the projects cladding. Accoya was also selected because it is ideal for coating. The colour was achieved using two coatings; Woca external tinted Primer and Woca external oil Anthracite. The cladding was achieved by using three different cover-width boards (119 mm cover, 69 mm cover and 49mm cover) which were all 19 mm thick, these were then attached using a secret fix application with stainless steel screws.

Project Name: Charter SquareLocation: SurreySector: ResidentialDeveloper: London SquareSystem Supplied: Bespoke Fabrication, LandMark IICharter Square, a large-scale residential and commercial development in Staines-Upon-Thames, was delivered in three phases to revitalize a previously neglected stretch of the high street. The project aimed to create a vibrant, mixed-use community by providing 440 homes alongside commercial spaces, improved public areas, and amenity space for residents.Fusion Facades played a pivotal role in the success of Charter Square by being awarded the supply contract for various components of the development's facade. The company was responsible for supplying window heads and cills, spandrel panels, and LandMark II rainscreen cladding.The flagship development is located in a highly sought-after area and features an impressive mix of contemporary and traditional architectural styles. The facade, in particular, was designed to be visually striking and functional, as it needed to be able to withstand various weather conditions while providing thermal insulation to the homes and commercial spaces.Fusion Facades rose to the challenge by providing high-quality bespoke solutions tailored to the specific requirements of the project. The company's expertise and experience in delivering complex facade systems were evident throughout the development's construction, ensuring that the project was delivered on time and to the highest standards.Charter Square has already made a significant impact on the surrounding area, breathing new life into a previously neglected stretch of the high street. The development's blend of residential and commercial spaces has created a vibrant, bustling community that has quickly become a desirable place to live and work.Overall, Charter Square is an excellent example of how innovative design and high-quality construction can transform a neglected area into a thriving, modern community. Fusion Facades' contribution to the project played a vital role in its success, highlighting the company's commitment to delivering outstanding facade solutions that meet the needs of clients and communities alike.

3900m2 Optima TFC in PPC Aluminium and 1800sqm Optima FC in Axalta PPC Aluminium have been used in the completion of the 400+ room in Salfords student accommodation project. The Optima TFC system was proposed to create a ‘basket weave’ pattern to the façade including a mixture of both landscape and portrait lay orientation, visible in the project photos.The Optima FC included multi-depth panels to create a 3D effect along with secret fix assembled triangle segments to further emphasize the projection.When you stand back from the building, you can see the two separate towers seem to connect ‘through’ each other.The expert team at Sotech worked closely with Britplas Facades and their team of specialists to design the unique façade, ensuring it was both viable and achievable to the installation programme. As a team, we developed a method to secret fix the triangular sections onto standard panels at our fabrication facility, to reduce the quantity of parts the installer would have to handle.No additional testing was required for the project as Optima TFC and Optima FC have been extensively tested and are approved by CWCT and have been tested to BS8414-2 (compliant to BR135).Jamie Brown, Estimating Manager at Sotech said: “This is a truly unique, vibrant and striking building. It was a real pleasure to have been involved in this scheme from concept to completion working closely with our supply chain partner, Britplas Facades, to develop a solution that ticked all the boxes – cost, programme and exceptional quality.”Discovery Quays includes 404 student bedrooms over 10,325 sqft in two blocks. The finished building also provides a coffee shop, library, lounge, media wall, gaming area and a stunning double-story reception.To find out more about how the expert team at Sotech can assist in your next rainscreen cladding project, click here.

CUPACLAD 101 Logic was recently installed as part of a striking new-build project, located in Aberystwyth, Wales. The natural slate cladding was chosen because it could complement the coastal surroundings as well as provide outstanding resistance to the harsh weather conditions. The site was purchased by homeowners, David and Shirley Harries who looked to extend the pre-existing bungalow but after finding significant issues with its structure, opted instead to erect a new build on the same plot. “We really wanted a home that utilised a range of materials to create a modern look as opposed to building a glass palace that could look too ostentatious in the rugged seafront location,” said David. The couple approached Arwyn George from George + Tomos Architects who put together a design, which included CUPA PIZARRAS’ natural slate cladding system, CUPACLAD 101. “The CUPACLAD system allowed the new home to blend into the surrounding cliffs beautifully,” said Arwyn. “In addition, I had to consider the high winds that the project would be exposed to and select something that would have the appropriate durability.” High quality natural slate is a very resistant material – its deterioration is unnoticeable to the human eye, meaning its colour does not change across its 100 year lifespan, even in the coldest environments. Natural slate also has a permanent sheen, unlike other roofing materials which can decrease up to eight times superior.  “We really loved the proposal,” the couple commented. “The slate would blend seamlessly with the local landscape – both the cliffs behind the property as well as some of the other houses in the area, which also utilise natural slate. What’s more, the material is sympathetic to its environment.” CUPACLAD is constructed using specially selected slates, which are dark in colour, creating a bold and dramatic look, particularly when utilised alongside lighter materials such as glass, timber and render. CUPACLAD 101 Logic is made up of 40x20cm slates installed horizontally using fixing systems that are completely invisible once installed to avoid impacting the design. As with the rest of the CUPACLAD 101 series, it is BBA certified, verifying that it has an incredibly low level of water absorption, test results show a value between 0.16 and 0.17%. This ensures that the material is not susceptible to frosting or hypothermal ageing. Furthermore, the BBA certificate demonstrates the slate is very resistant to high winds, fire and impacts. Rhys Ben Wright from RBW Carpentry was then selected to install the slate system. A process made easier, thanks to the quality of the slate, with pre-drilled holes and self-drilling fixings. What’s more, natural slate has a number of environmental benefits. According to research carried out by the University of Glasgow, it produces a limited amount of atmospheric carbon (1KgCO2/metre2 over its lifetime) and has a low water and energy consumption rate. Furthermore, by sourcing natural slate from CUPA PIZARRAS, a carbon neutral company, David and Shirley’s cladding solution is verifiably sustainable. Once the project was completed, David and Shirley were over the moon with their new home: “The cladding fits the landscape seamlessly, which is due to the properties of the slate, as well as Arwyn’s design. He was able to shape the building in such a way that it really fits with the outlines of the hilly surroundings. “We were concerned that some of the slates would be lost in recent strong winds; however, the cladding remained completely intact. We would definitely recommend CUPACLAD.” CUPA PIZARRAS’ slate is exclusively distributed by Taylor Maxwell to the UK market. To find out more, about CUPACLAD, please visit: https://www.cupapizarras.com/uk/rainscreen-cladding/

Accoya was selected as the ideal material to clad this Burleigh Brewery project in Australia. Burleigh Brewing began on 1 July 2006 and immediately set about pioneering the craft beer movement on the Gold Coast. Distributed by Britton Timbers, Accoya was chosen because the project called for a low maintenance, sustainable external cladding with a high-end appearance. Accoya was also ideal due to its natural blonde aesthetic, which was carefully selected to ensure the Brewery logo was as prominent and distinctive as possible. Roughly 4 m3 of Accoya was used with an Integrain coating.

Accoya was selected for the black coated weatherboards on the front of the house, due to its durability & stability benefits. Because of Accoya’s modification technique it's the ideal wood for cladding. Generally, problems occur with darker coatings on cladding, due to shrink & swell being exasperated by the solar gain. But, Accoya wood’s superior dimensional stability negates this problem & there's very little maintenance. The cladding needed to be aesthetically pleasing as well as highly durable in order to withstand the extreme climates in NZ. Accoya was also chosen due to its rot resistant & insect deterring benefits.

Project: Manufacture and installation of bespoke 3D GRC cladding panels in Tempest Grey colour and Silk finish Client: Morgan Lovell Materials used: Panels were produced using BTX GRC high performance concrete in 3 meter length and only 20mm thickness. Bespoke 3D BTX GRC high performance concrete cladding panels were installed by Living Concrete to the famous 10 Old Bailey entrance. The panels were 3 meters in length each but only 20mm thick. Panels were double fixed to a steel frame and sealed in a Silk finish.

Fire Retardant aluminium cladding that looks like real timber. This system of real timber that wraps aluminium cladding has been around for 30 years; its not a new phenomenon, in some practices, it’s the norm.Exceptional Architecture with contrasting aluminium wood cladding against a striking white stucco facade. Incredible detailing and accurate installation has made this private residence an iconic statement. Real timber veneer over aluminium results in a contemporary timber cladding, its not an effect, its not plastic… its timber.Aluminium cladding that looks like real timber.Set over three floors and a basement, beautiful landscaped surrounds and many balcony terraces make this dwelling the envy of other property owners. The cladding by Technowood ® has been used to good effect for the wall cladding, soffit board arrangement and also the fascias. This system has many options for start and stop beads with alternatives for reveals and corner detail. The design of these projects is only limited by the designer.Pergola design and Brise Soleilby Technowood®As Technowood have been manufacturing since the 1980’s they are well versed in many different profiles and systems in aluminium covered in real wood. Pergolas that span with a clear run up to 12.5 metres, louvres and Brise Soleil that match. We can create a complete system in timber that looks the same, made at the same time by the same hands… the design can also incorporate powder coated or anodized aluminium elements; supplied at the same time. These are also made in the same manufacturing process.Cladding illumination Up lighting, down lighting or washing warm white illumination across the facade of cladding looks beautiful. Further, this offers a welcome from the building during the darker hours, makes your home more inviting, it also looks stylish. It’s a simple effect to achieve and doesn’t cost a lot in comparison to other illuminated elements of the project.Technowood aluminium timber claddingThe simple system is an inclusive platform of cladding. It starts with a simple L shape bracket, a long length of supporting section T shape (like a timber batten); the cladding directly fixes to it. Think rain screen, when you are designing and you won’t go far wrong. Technowood has been here for 30 years and it’s here to stay. Certified FR A2, FSC and certified for Environmental Product Declaration, its also warranted for 20 years.

5500m2 of Optima TFC+ has been used in the completion of the brand new Science, Engineering and Environment building on Salford University’s Peel Park campus.As you can see from the photos, a striking colour palette has been used in the modified window interface details. Interpon’s D2525 Ostuni Y2211I, 3030 High Gloss & 7022 High Gloss in 3.0mm Aluminium 3103 Grade PPC were selected.The unique overhang window details were created using the 20mm overlapping joint that is standard in Optima TFC+. A bespoke sharp edge detail was added to window interface locations for dramatic effect, creating a stunning visual contrast between the bright red window pods against the white vertical cladding as per the architect’s original design intent.Sotech assembled a full-size sample rig in the factory for the client, architect, main contractor and installer to view a full scale mock-up of the final proposed solution. This ensured that any design details or install sequences were scrutinised and fully understood before the project began onsite. Sotech then created a full 3D model of the project alongside their long-term partners Metclad Contracts. This allowed both parties to identify and avoid potential issues at the design stage before panels were fabricated and delivered to site.The SEE Building is Salford University’s brand new £65 million hub for discovery and innovation. Consisting of four stories over 15,500 sq meters, the department will house the university’s departments of Built Environment, Computer Science and Networking, Mechanical Engineering and Human & Natural Science, in addition to the university’s Morson Maker Space – an additive manufacturing and digital fabrication facilityTESTIMONIALS:Jamie Brown of Sotech said: “This is yet another example how close collaboration from day one, involving the full supply chain, ensures projects can be delivered on time and on budget. The very clever and intricate window interface details showcases just how versatile rainscreen cladding can be, whilst staying within the boundaries of a fully CWCT tested and accredited system.”Naveen Sandhu at Akzo Nobel said: “Great to see this installation following an increasing trend of injecting vibrant tones into the elevation. One of a plethora of schemes in Salford and Manchester adopting our enhanced D2525 PPC technology across the envelope. Pleasure to work with the team at Sheppard Robson and delivering yet another outstanding higher education facility with Sotech.”

" We are thrilled that Accoya was specified for the exterior cladding for Birmingham’s new Starbucks drive thru. Working with Vincent Timber, specialists in cladding, and Accoya has enabled the project to be designed and supplied without problems. By specifying Accoya wood there is no compromise on performance and sustainability, which is key to the Starbucks’ 2030 commitment. This project represents one of many Starbucks projects clad with Accoya in the UK and overseas. As a sustainable company ourselves we are delighted Accoya is part of the future development of their stores and hope to see more stores clad with Accoya in the future.” - Laura Keily @ Accsys Technologies PLCFor full case study, please click on the view more link above.

BackgroundThe University of Brighton’s history goes back to when the Brighton School of Art was opened in the Royal Pavilion in 1858. However, it is since it achieved University status in 1992, that the institution has really began to grow to quickly become one of the most popular destinations for students in the South East.  The influx of students over the past three decades has meant a growing demand for accommodation that for many years the city hasn’t been geared up for and this has been an issue particularly in the suburb of Moulsecoomb, a neighbourhood housing the biggest of the four campuses and that has seen itself forced to transform onto a growing number of HMOs that aren’t quite suited for student living and that are struggling to coexist with local residents. Brighton’s architecture is mostly famous for ‘The Laines’ and the iconic Royal Pavilion however the city developed during the Regency, Victorian and Edwardian periods and was also greatly influenced by the Art Deco, Modernist and postmodernist movements resulting in an architecturally rich and diverse townscape that today has over 1200 listed structures with special architectural or historical interest.  The distinctive low rise character of the city is also a consequence of its position between the sea and the downs and although modern living and the scarcity of land available and apt for building put on the table the need for tall construction, the local planning committees are often strict when it comes to high rise and not only expect this type of new construction to demonstrate a high standard of design and to make a positive contribution to the visual quality of the environment but they also require that they live up to the city’s exceptionally fine historic environment context, and its cultural identity.The projectHassell Studio and Design South East were given the gruelling task of heading the regeneration of the Moulsecoomb campus to house the School of Business and Law, the School of Architecture, Technology and Engineering, the School of Applied Sciences, part of the School of Art and Media, state of the art student accommodation for over 800 students and leisure facilities. A project that would be delivered by construction giants Bouygues. The design concept was a cluster of buildings with 5 student halls built on the site of the old Preston Barracks, Watts House and Mithras House and where Goldstone hall was the tallest building of the development. With 18 floors, Goldstone hall not only became the focal point of the development but also the tallest tower to be built in Brighton in the 50 years prior to its construction.  Julian Gitsham, Principal and Education and Science Leader, who headed the project at Hassell, recalls how aware he and his team were of not only the architectural impact but also of the socio-economic significance of the development for the local area and how these aspects led to a meticulous study of all aspects of the project, it made the quality of the scheme non-negotiable and locked the material specification.  There was no doubt that the Goldstone hall would be the heart of the development and as such, that it had to have distinctive features. Julian and his team sought a natural and robust material that would make the building stand out from the lower brick architecture characteristic of the local area however they also wanted to portray the dynamic nature of the future of the building and they were able to achieve that through the use of glazed terracotta panels that reflected the sun light and changed in appearance with the weather, displaying the perception of a different façade every time. Julian comments ‘it is fascinating to see how on darker, foggy days, the building seems to disappear into the sky’. In the spirit of great architectural wit, despite of the contrast in materiality, the architects sought to reflect the neighbouring architecture in the body of the tower and for that they selected 20 different colours found across the local townscape and using a purposedly designed algorithm, these were randomly set out across the facades of the building showcasing the tonalities of the local architecture and the shades of the Brighton sky, gradually from the lower to the upper floors. A challenging task that skilled cladding contractors M Price delivered impeccably. Some of the chosen colours also paid homage to those found on the façade of the now gone The Lectern, which was the local go to pub for the students of the campus.Call-to-ActionTerracotta is one of the cladding resources of choice in the market because it is a natural and versatile material that gives architects freedom of expression whilst it gives cladding and envelope contractors the advantages of a quick and easy installation process.  The Argeton system is one of the principal terracotta systems used Worldwide not only because it is a natural and versatile material but also because it offers a technical and cost effective solution for the residential, commercial and health and education sectors. Argeton is CE and UKCA market and also one of the most tested systems in the market including a BBA and an EPD. NHBC approved and not subject to any restrictions on building height or proximity to boundaries thanks to its Euro-class A1 Fire certification, it is no surprise Argeton is one of the materials of choice not only in new builds but also for refurbishment or re-clad. Durable and fully recyclable, ISO 14025 and EN 15804 (European BREEAM equivalent) certified, sustainability is at the heart of Argeton’s values.' Argeton terracotta is available in a range off the shelf and bespoke profiles, in lengths to suit and in natural, glazes and engobed finishes. https://tellingrainscreens.co.uk/profile-and-finishes/

A residential home in Enfield, London, was extended out the back of the property and charred Accoya wood was the chosen material for the cladding. Innovative architects, Studio Hatcham, specified charred Accoya wood to make the extension distinguishable yet sensitive, enhancing the existing grey brickwork, rather than overshadowing it. The Accoya was treated using a charring technique, taking the wood from its originally light colour to a darker, burnt effect. The cladding was charred in three varying shades, creating depth to the extension; light brush “Shizen”, Graphite “Seizo” and Anthracite “Gen no”. For the posts, a deep black effect was chosen to define and accentuate, in particular, the large glass opening of the extension into the back garden. Despite charring the wood, Accoya remains durable and stable with a 50-year warranty against rot. This alongside its great sustainability credentials, made it the perfect choice for this extension.

International Timber recently teamed up with Snowdrop Developments to supply Siberian Larch Cladding to a contemporary house, named the Rock Lobster.

The extensive use of wood cladding & decking were key elements of LSI architects’ design. However, given that ‘The Haven’ is in a flood zone, surrounded on three sides by water & constantly exposed to a high moisture content in the air, LSI needed to find a wood that they could be confident would deliver durability, dimensional stability & aesthetics. The glue laminated Accoya wood for the curved rear screen was manufactured by Newnham & Abel Ltd & hand finished with a protective merbau-coloured coating from WoodGuard by Guard Industrie. The same finish was factory applied to the cladding.

Project: Manufacture and installation of external GAP cladding panels using hidden fixings and chemical anchoring. Client: Stuart Forbes Associates Materials used: Bespoke size external GRC cladding panels in Rough Mist finish, treated with hydrophobic agent and clear sealant. This exciting new refurbishment project of a private house in Wimbledon, London brought with it plenty of manufacturing and installation challenges! The designers’ vision called for 2m x 1.2m large format GAP panels with mitred edges to be seamlessly wrapped around the building. The panels had to be millimetre perfect to avoid any cutting on site.

The stunning state-of-the-art, multi-level, Better New Addington Leisure & Community Centre, designed by GT3 Architects for the London Borough of Croydon features buff brick cladding with 3D- textured detailing thanks to external cladding supplier Aquarian Cladding Systems.The project was part of the Southern Construction Framework and followed a string of work carried out by Willmott Dixon for the Borough. It was also home to the building contractor’s first Building Lives Academy, aimed at upskilling young people in the area and providing them with an opportunity to join the construction industry.Originally, another brick cladding system was specified for use, however due to the complexity of the stepped window frame detailing, the additional cladding support rail cost, the time it would take to install, and a lack of product warranty from the supplier, an alternative cladding system was sought to meet the programme and budget.To resolve the challenge, Aquarian and specialist cladding contractor Express Dry Lining, part of Aquarian’s Approved Installer Network, worked closely together to achieve an acceptable finish to match the specified material, which suited the local vernacular thus meeting the aesthetic, programme, and commercial requirements.Peter Head, Director of Express Dry Lining said: “The design and installation support of Aquarian helped us ensure that all stakeholders were supported throughout the process of material selection, buildability, component production and assembly to achieve a photogenic building free of defects which will last. This is one of those projects to be proud of for a very long time.” In addition, the solution had to be a cladding system that used brick slips which could also be produced as standard bricks to build landscaping planters and achieve a seamless ‘hit-and-miss’ brick feature in the façade. As an innovative, panelised, insulating brick cladding system, which has been successfully tested to BS8414 on five separate occasions and has an EN13501 fire rating of B, s1, d0, Gebrik was perfect, with Aquarian supplying 1126m2 to the project.To achieve the 3D features in accordance with the architect’s design brief, eighteen different panel and corner components were produced, 25% of which were bespoke and therefore project-specific.The expertise of Express Dry Lining in the setting out of the substrate ensured the 60mm thick ‘brick wallpaper’ is consistent across the entire façade with perp joint alignment across both the stretcher and stack bond panels. And their attention to detail in ensuring the system was cleaned down after pointing ensured the façade was completed on time and to everyone’s satisfaction. The finished project was completed six weeks ahead of the revised programme with Gebrik significantly contributing to the speed of construction and reduction in programme, leading to significant cost benefits elsewhere. The London Borough of Croydon is delighted with the quality of the completed building, with Councillor Oliver Lewis, cabinet member for culture, leisure, and sport, quoted as saying, “This is a stunning new centre with first-class facilities for everyone in New Addington to enjoy and be proud of.” Peter Head concluded by saying, “It is unlikely any other brick cladding solution could have been used as cost-effectively and efficiently as Gebrik to create a façade of such high quality.”

ABODO Laminated Timber Cladding coated with ABODO Ebony Oil was chosen on this project. Being Thermally modified the Abodo product was supplied in much wider 180mm boards – the thermal modification process not only offers great stability, but also a great species to coat. The FSC Certified ABODO Cladding range offers a renewable alternative to some of the more traditional Larch or Cedar cladding that the construction market are used to.

One of the most talked about subjects in timber cladding are the Vertical Fins.Solid timber or even huge steel forms are cumbersome, heavy and expensive. They often require specialist structural fixings and tame consuming to install.Technowood fins have been created to transform this arena. Simple in design, ultra-light weight and easy to install, saving on materials and labour for large scale commercial projects. In the main they are fabricated in Aluminium and if the spans are excessive they can be manufactured in GRP. All Technowood finishes are real timber…Vertical Fins, which uses Technowood products in facade design, attracts attention with its impressive architecture.There are multiple options for cladding and facade design within the world of Technowood. Interspersed vertical forms with spaces between or even panels of cladding… all manufactured under one roof and delivered to site at the same time, same batch, same material, same colour, same texture all with the same impressive result.Technwood have a showroom in Sky House Design Centre in Amersham, quick access from the Metro line. They also offer CPD presentation during the week direct to your practice… samples and product brochures all also available. Architect: Gokhan Aksoy Architects in collaboration with AS ArchitectsLocation:Private residenceProductTechnowood Fins, Cladding and PanelingCompletion:2016

A newly built student accommodation block in Liverpool features an attractive, colourful external finish, thanks to Cembrit’s Cembonit cladding boards.Plato House is a purpose built student development comprising 86 spacious student rooms complete with a kitchen, en-suite bathrooms and high speed Wi-Fi throughout. Supplied via Vivalda of Manchester, Pemberton-based cladding contractor, Bak Cladding Solutions installed approximately 1000m2 of Cembonit cladding in a combination of Tufa, Pearl and Sand colours.

Accoya was selected as the ideal material to clad the new Performing Arts Centre for Pipers Corner School, High Wycombe. Over 1200 m2 of Accoya cladding, soffits and trims were used throughout the project for phase 1 of the build. Designed by Nichols Brown Webber Architects and Landscape Planners, Accoya was chosen due to its Class 1 durability and low maintenance upkeep. Accoya was also used due to its sustainability credentials as the building has been targeted to achieve a BREEAM ‘very good’ rating.

With beautiful views of the Belvoir Valley, the client wanted a contemporary architectural piece that would integrate comfortably with its surrounding landscape whilst maintaining a natural yet modern 21st century aesthetic.Sustainability was at the forefront of the client’s brief, who wanted a recycled material for the external cladding that would accommodate the robust, maintenance-free and high quality requirements of the build. With the sensitive and vast wildlife of its surrounding landscape in mind, the property needed to be natural, both in terms of its aesthetic and its components, embodying an effective fusion of sustainability and simplicity.The SolutionBuilt to embrace the panoramic views, this two-floored structure is fuelled by the natural light of its landscape with its beautiful vast windows and balconies. Our stone Pioneer cladding was chosen to accompany this natural appeal, enhancing the contemporary simplicity that the client desired. Installed alongside our edging, fascia and fasteners, we supplied the complete system for the cladded sections of this striking exterior, suiting the sustainable prerequisites of the project as well as the contemporary visual requirements.Using clean lines and sophisticated lighting, this building is both articulate and elegant, conveying an elevated piece of architecture that both stands out and blends in. Having won 2019 RIBA House of the Year, we are proud to have contributed to this stunning project.Customer Feedback“We decided to use EnviroBuild on the Belvoir Vue project because we liked the product in aesthetic terms but were also looking for a product that would perform with stability and durability. From the outset, the project was intended to be sustainable and, once again, the product was a perfect choice.”Project DetailsSize: 116 m²Product: Stone Hyperion Composite Cladding (The same finish can be achieved using our Sentinel Class B fire rated composite cladding)Client:  From Residential Architect: CBP Architects Location: Vale of Belvoir, Granby

A successful refurbishment of a disused building translated into 42 beautiful one and two bedroom apartments. The building ‘Cambridge House’ was enhanced externally by applying cladding and updated glazing. RCM supplied Vitrabond ACM cladding to the project. An additional, unforeseen opportunity also presented itself to RCM whilst working on the project.

After extensive consultation with all involved, the design they created to achieve this involved an eye-catching arrangement of Russwood’s factory-coated Accoya cladding. Edd Rushton, the architect in charge of the project said, “Painted Accoya profiles provided a durable and cost-effective way of bringing new life to a tired 1970’s façade and creating a vibrant new public face for the school. Russwood supplied pre-coated Accoya cladding panels, as well as thicker profiles used in the louvred sun-screen, and offered specification and detailing advice throughout the project.”

The project was part of huge regeneration plans for Thurrock. The new three-storey Civic Centre, designed by LSI Architects, built by Kier Construction (Eastern) and clad by specialist façade contractor A2O Ltd, incorporates a council chamber, café, registrar service, staff offices, committee rooms and service area for the public.LSI Architects selected the MechSlip Brick Cladding System, supplied by Aquarian Cladding Systems, to achieve a non-combustible, through-coloured, textured, real brick façade, which provided sufficient form to ensure a statement building that was not subservient to the surrounding buildings. MechSlip proved vital for the project, which kick-started the Thurrock transformation.

Two shades of blue, light and dark, formally in glass panels, needed to be replicated when the glass was removed and replaced within areas of the rainscreen façade and spandrel panels across all levels of a student accommodation tower block in Kings Cross, London.Powdertech was sent shards of blue glass from the old windows, to match with a powder coating both in shade and gloss level. Working in close contact with the client Powdertech directed one of its powder manufacturers to make two unique shades of blue to match the old glass in both colour and gloss. Powdertech coated 4500 sq m of aluminium spandrel panels of sizes ranging from 350mm by 2500 mm to a larger size of 900mm by 4500mm.The non-combustible cladding panels are designed to help prevent fire damage quickly and easily spreading as part of the system. They perform to technical criteria, sound insulation and thermal performance and reduce environmental issues. Powdertech’s powder coatings and application techniques all conform to reaction to fire rating A2-s1,d0, thus contributing to the fire safety of the panels

Sustainable Accoya cladding from International Timber has been used for the construction of a self-build farmhouse in Salisbury, designed by award-winning architect practice Adam Knibb Architects. 

URSA storey’s high with new Whitechapel development Global insulation manufacturer, URSA, has seen some 25,000 m2 of its specialist insulation materials specified and installed at one of the capital’s largest residential development projects in recent years. Ian Claydon, Technical Manager for URSA UK, describes the specification through to installation journey: “The Silk District is a new development located close to Whitechapel Station and within walking distance to the City of London. The Whitechapel based scheme compromises three residential blocks set around a piazza with private landscaped gardens. New commercial space on the ground floor of The Silk District will welcome many new and exciting restaurants, cafes, bars and shops. The Borough is considered an important area of regeneration for London and will meet the aspirations of neighbouring Shoreditch, Brick Lane, Spitalfields Market and Bethnal Green all of which are less than a 10-minute walk from the development.  “Our work with the London based property development company leading the scheme, Mount Anvil, began in November 2018. We provided advice and guidance on making the correct choice of materials, achieving compliance with Building Regulations (thermal performance, fire resistance requirements and resistance to rain penetration) and compliance with the NHBC Standards. We also provided numerous thermal models, U-value calculations and associated condensation risk analysis. The Mount Anvil team were undoubtedly impressed with the speed and quality of URSA Technical Services. “We were involved with external wall construction as well as the design of a brick clad rainscreen system and continued to work extensively on the scheme throughout 2019 as the design developed further. Work was delayed at the beginning of 2020 due to Covid and re-started in July 2020. Ian explained: “Collaborating with the client in these very early phases ensured that they were able to select a product that is entirely right for each and every one of their primary and secondary needs. Planning was critical within the design and roll out and meticulous attention to detail was applied during these initial phases and throughout. Key products installed included URSA’s Cavity Batt 32 & Walltec 32 – 12,000m2 and URSA Acoustic Roll - 13,000m2.   URSA Walltec 32 is a lightweight, non-combustible, semi-rigid glass mineral wool slab treated with silicon based water repellent. It is faced with a black glass tissue on one side and are ideal for use behind rainscreen cladding systems in both new build and refurbishment projects.URSA Cavity Batt is a lightweight, semi rigid glass mineral wool slab treated with silicon based water repellent. It is suitable for use in both fully and partially filled masonry cavity walls up to 25m high.Mark Guest, Regional Sales Manager for URSA UK continued: “URSA Walltec proved to be the ideal choice due to its outstanding fire performance qualities, with a Euroclass rating of ‘A1’ making it totally non-combustible and the ultimate in safety specification for behind cladding systems. URSA glass mineral wool is manufactured from an abundant, sustainable resource and utilises at least 50% glass waste. From an installation perspective, the black glass fleece tissue facing means that the product could be used behind open joint cladding without being seen.“The Cavity Batt is available in a wide range of thicknesses, ensuring the client was able to meet all appropriate Building Regulations and standards. Our new generation URSA TERRA mineral wool has a ‘soft touch’ feel making it easier to handle and install whilst still maintaining its excellent mechanical properties.“There were several other over-arching factors to consider within this scheme and those included the sheer size and scale of the site and its location in a packed city centre. The lightweight nature of both products meant that they could be compressed therefore saving time and money on transport, effectively halving the number of journeys needed. This meant that more products could be delivered to site and stored in an area where space was at a premium. “Work is now once again very much underway with an anticipated completion date of early in 2021. The property market is thriving once again and Whitechapel is becoming recognised as a hotspot for investment and is now being considered the destination of choice for many new businesses. Our distributor partner, Encon Insulation in Dagenham, worked closely alongside us during the project” Ian concluded: “It’s fantastic to see two of our core product specified at this major residential development. We have enjoyed a collaborative, partnering approach with the client throughout. The client has been keen to specify the safest, most durable, sustainable and quality product available on the market today and we’ve been pleased to support them in their design journey through to installation.”