Shortlist Gallery

Best use of a rainscreen system using aluminium

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#1 Courtyard by Marriott Sandy Park Hotel - TAC Projects with Kingspan Facades
Courtyard by Marriott Sandy Park Hotel is a contemporary hotel offering a luxury experience utilising a modern aluminium rainscreen system from Kingspan Facades to add a stunning landmark to the Exeter skyline. It complements the thriving Sandy Park Stadium, home of the Exeter Chiefs rugby team. To take advantage of the stunning views, the hotel features a rooftop restaurant and bar which is partially open air. The 250 bed 4-star hotel also features a fitness centre and coffeeshop which is reachable by a pedestrian bridge link from the Stadium level. Managed on behalf of Exeter Rugby Group by DNA-IC Ltd, they were happy for TAC to accept the brief to complete the design and supply and fit the rainscreen and cladding for the £35m project.

Kingspan and TAC have a longstanding trading relationship spanning almost 50 years, and so TAC was confident in the performance of the Recess Fixed Cassette and K-Roc Rainscreen Slab products and recommended their use to KTA Architects. The façade boasts an impactful aesthetic appeal, thanks to the versatility of the aluminium, and the products’ reliable performance longevity means Courtyard by Marriott Sandy Park Hotel will become a longstanding addition to Exeter. The hotel can be seen from the nearby stadium, and the M5 Motorway, and boasts views of the Devon coastline.

The government encouraged continuation of construction where it was safely possible during the COVID-19 pandemic, and it is a tribute to the management and all working on the project that they were able to deliver it on time and within the budget.

#2 Didsbury Centre – Imperial Facades with BTS Facades and Fabrications
BTS and Imperial Facades have worked alongside each other on many projects but this project really tested all to the limits.

This Striking addition of 148 apartments in Newham is there for all to see the use of Different width and height IP Planks totalling over 2300 sqmtrs make a design statement and the addition of Golden Beach ppc from Akzo Nobel really makes this building pop. CS Vantage coping system topped the building off perfectly. Design was very intense on this project to get the Architects vision across so communication was paramount. As usual this building sits on a tight London footprint so everything from deliveries to installation had to be scheduled very carefully. All involved in this project are very proud of the stunning look of the finished build.

#3 Forstal House – Birkby Construction with ICB (Fabrications)
Roughetts Road sits a stones-throw away from a wealth of country parks and nature reserves, so it made sense for this newbuild property, surround by stunning greenery, to incorporate natural features including a blend of building materials. The client’s vision for the project was to use a contrast of materials; timber, brick, glass and aluminium to create a dramatic but subtle, aesthetically pleasing high-end residential property without looking clashing or garish. The client gave a very clear brief, highlighting that in achieving this, under no circumstance did they want to see ANY visible fixings on this residential project.

The vision was made possible by the use of ICB’s clever profiles. The Secret Fix Z Profile systems offer an unobstructed, very clean finish complimenting modern aesthetics, particularly suited to this kind of residential project, more of which can be viewed from ground level due to limited storeys. The system, adapted for use with the rainscreen cladding as well as the fascia, soffits, offers a very impressive finish, but benefits from surprisingly easy installation due to the simplicity of its design. The addition of hidden-fix capping added to the uniform look of the building, offering excellent kerb appeal.

The finished project has created harmony in these opposing materials, blending them and bringing them together by the use of repetition with the grey-brown powder coated aluminium across varying levels of the building. This was all achieved to the client’s approval without any fixings on show, using ICB’s extremely versatile Hidden Fixing Z Profiles.

#4 Hounslow Street Quarter – M H Massey Roofing and Cladding with AKV Architectural Facades
The proposed development at High Street Quarter is set to create a major, new urban space in Hounslow, a linear town, which evolved over the years along its main thoroughfare and now features a vibrant High Street but has no obvious place to mark its geographical centre.

Conceived as a part of Wilson Bowden and Barratt London’s winning bid, the new scheme comprises 528 new homes, a multiscreen cinema, new shops and restaurants, laid out around a central square, which not only provides a new heart for the town but also an amenity area for residents.

The square has been designed by tp bennett as a semi-circular, secluded place for alfresco dining, set next to a flexible space able to accommodate a variety of uses, ranging from cultural and religious festivals to seasonal sport events, including kabaddi, a South Asian game popular in Hounslow.

Situated at the heart of the square is a new cinema, clad in gold tinted aluminium. Its monumental form is backlit at night and perforated in a complex pattern that reflects both the area’s links to light industry and its cultural diversity, which are represented by computer punchcard perforations superimposed over a traditional motif originating from the Indian subcontinent. References to local cultural diversity continue into the facades of the apartment blocks, some of which take inspiration from Polish wycinanki (cut paper) patterns, while others mimic traditional North African fabric designs.

#5 Luxurio - McAleer & Rushe with Genius Facades
Built on the site of a former car garage and storage facility Luxurio, Loughborough is a state of the art student accommodation development. Designed by Rio Architects the development ranges from 3-7 storeys and comprises of 458 bedrooms / studios with extensive communal areas, reception area and flexible commercial space. The genius Prime rainscreen facade system was chosen for this project as it can meet superior quality and safety standards whilst remaining a cost effective solution.

The Genius Prime system utilises a unique hook on fixing method that provides greater stability, ease of installation and allows for larger format panel use. The system has been fully CWCT tested for structural integrity and can achieve a A1 or A2s1d0 fire rating, making Genius Prime a non-combustible cladding system.

The design of the Leicester Road elevation has incorporated both fully concealed secret fixings and discrete fix colour matched fixings. This allows for individual panels to be removed in sections whilst also providing a seamless modern aesthetic.

#6 Northfield Swimming Pool – KR Steel with Kingspan (entered 'Composite Panel')
KR Group are experience steel fabricators and erectors and cladding installers. Their KR Steel division were delighted to be awarded the contract for the cladding package for Northfield swimming pool which included the installation of the rainscreen cassette panels in an abstract layout. The end result is an intriguing and and eye catching exterior that is modern and sleek.

#7 NTU Clinical Skills, Nottingham - Advanced Roofing with Proteus Facades
Nestled within the Clifton Campus of Nottingham’s Trent University lies the New Health and Allied Professions building. The project consisted of the construction of a new build 3 storey teaching building with a link to an existing administration block. The university has a multitude of architectural styles and the brief was to provide the building with its own unique identity whilst maintaining the overall modern and contemporary look of the campus.

The challenge faced by us was in providing the project with an affordable solution which met the desired look for the building to enable it to fit in and complement its contemporary surroundings. The architectural concept was the combination of a smooth render contrasting with modular bronze anodised cladding panels.

The new-build part of the scheme consisted of a long rectangular wing with a lot of punched windows all fixed back to an SFS substructure. Of particular interest was the picture frame effect created at one end of the building with internal clad cheeks and soffits which required a high degree of skill in both design and installation workmanship to make it work to the required standard.

This look was carried over to the adjoining administration block breathing new life into an existing structure and blending it seamlessly with the new part.

The end result provided an outstanding example of the combination of modern metal rainscreen design and render which enabled the provision of a well-insulated air-tight construction for the next generation of students studying at this prestigious place of learning.

#8 Perry Barr Station - Precision Projects with Ash & Lacy
Safety, quality and performance are of paramount importance when designing and construction a public transport hub, such as Perry Barr station in Birmingham. Therefore, Associated Architects, the lead designers of the project had safety front of mind when designing and developing their client’s vision.

The concept was to develop an eye-catching and befitting cladding to bedaub the station, with the spirit of the 2022 Birmingham Commonwealth Games leading the visual aspect. Ash and Lacy offered consultation all throughout the design stage of the project, producing digital design proposals and physical prototypes, which culminated in the design of three symbolic freeze-framed athletes: A Swimmer, a Sprinter and a Cyclist.

The project was completed in May, just a few months before the beginning of the commonwealth games and on budget at £30.8 Million. Councillor Ian Ward, WMCA portfolio holder for transport and leader of Birmingham City Council, said: "It is vital that we provide modern and attractive public transport infrastructure like the new Perry Barr railway station for our people if we are to encourage them to reduce car use and traffic congestion, improve our air quality and help us meet our climate change targets."

#9 Plot C1, English Cities Fund (ECF) Metclad Contracts with Sotech
The 23-storey tower occupying plot C1 will be the tallest residential development at New Bailey to date. To enhance residents wellbeing it features a six-storey podium with an exclusive rooftop garden terrace.

The C1 development will incorporate a number of sustainability measures including surface water drainage attenuation, minimising off site spoil disposal, reduced water consumption. The building design also incorporates improved ‘u’ value and air permeability performance that betters building regulations standards.

Sotech worked closely with the design team and installer at very early design stage. Sotech modelled and manufactured parts to 3D models provided by the client, this route allows the customer to comment and make changes to the model without physical cost.

The delivery of the panels coincided with the mast climber install sequence. This method of sequencing assisted in standardising the panel type to ensure efficient and easy install.

The FC+ system can be fitted top down and bottom up however for this project the panel was adapted to aid in the architects vision of having a completely secret fix system therefore the top return fold was increased to 50mm instead of 38mm. This allowed for the security fixings to be completely concealed by the panel above allowing the customer to easily fit the panels from ground up.

A bespoke window reveal and bracket was included in the panel design, the panel allowed for an extended side return which was used to hook the panels on and enable a secret fix.

A secret fix soffit was requested, Sotech recommended the use of the Optima IPC system which allows for hidden mechanical fixings and is also a cost-effective solution using 2.0mm aluminium.

Black PPC aluminium was used as backing trays to enhance the appearance of the perforations, prevent views through the perforations and close off the cavity.

#10 Taberner House - Henry Construction with Genius Facades
Built on the old site of Croydon Council building in the heart of Croydon, the Taberner House development, designed by Stirling Prize-winning architect AHMM, comprises of a 35-storey tower and three surrounding blocks.

The development will provide 513 homes, with a mix of affordable, for sale and rental units, as well as new public realm, a children’s play space and a new café. At least 40% of the units will be designated as affordable.

In order to complement and enhance the existing townscape, the positioning of the residential blocks has been carefully considered in the context of the site, whilst also maximising and enhancing the area and quality of the landscaped public realm space.

The unique Zig-Zag facade panel profile with perforations is completely bespoke and gives the building envelope a dramatic aesthetic!

The system is fully non-combustible giving tenants and owners peace of mind and confidence in the build quality.

The Genius Prime system was also used on this project. A 3mm aluminium cassette system that utilises a innovative hook on method for added stability and ease of installation. The prime system is non-combustible and fully CWCT tested.