Facade Awards UK 2024 - 2024 Shortlist Gallery

Sponsored by

CO-OP Live, Manchester
Lindner Prater with CGL Systems

CGL Systems, in collaboration with Lindner Prater, recently completed a groundbreaking project involving the installation of a state-of-the-art 3mm Hook-on rainscreen system with PCC Aluminium. This project spanned an impressive 14,000m2 and involved the installation of 7,000 panels, each equipped with integrated LED lights.

What sets this project apart is the innovative feature of the LED lights, which were specifically designed to display any desired image or text on the façade of the building. This technology allows for dynamic and customizable displays, making the building truly stand out in its surroundings.

The use of a Hook-on rainscreen system with PCC aluminium not only provides a sleek and modern aesthetic but also offers durability and low maintenance. The RAL 9005 color adds a touch of sophistication and elegance to the overall design.

Eden at New Bailey
Muse with Viritopia

Eden at New Bailey was completed by Viritopia in October 2023, and has be recognised as Europe's largest living wall. With an impressive 16 tonnes of soil, 350,000+ plants and a staggering 3,300sqm, this living wall may be Viritopia's best project yet. The ANS Living Wall Build-up included the following:

Helping hand brackets
T-rail Breathable membrane
Aluminium Hanging Rails
Living wall module
Organic substrate
Live plants
MDPE Pipes Square
Line gutter
Dripper pipes

The building itself has become one of the highest rated BREEAM buildings in the UK, and has increased in biodiversity by over 2000%.

Hazel Bank
MAR Design with San Anselmo

Hazel Bank is a one-off residential dwelling located on the river bank of Shrewsbury.

The house is built into a hill and arranged over three floors with the ground floor accommodating spa room, gym, steam room and indoor cricket lane among other spaces.

The first-floor accommodating living spaces with spectacular views over the historic town and the upper floor accommodating bedrooms with en-suites and dressing rooms. The floors are further complemented by various covered terraces providing fantastic outdoor spaces.

The design takes maximum advantage of this unique site on the banks of the River Severn, in the heart of Shrewsbury. The scheme provides a sequence of landscaped courtyard gardens around the house, stepping up the slope of the site and linking each of the 3 levels. This also provides an attractive view when viewing from above.

The spacious accommodation is arranged over 3 floors, with cantilevered glazed balconies offering breath taking views over the river, to the quarry and to the town centre. The dwelling sets new standards not yet seen in Shrewsbury, making maximum use of this spectacular site with views along the Severn and onto the town.

The project has been designed taking to meet 21st century living needs and desires and has had a minimal impact on the site and environment. It has become a positive addition to the river side frontage with a modern use of traditional materials that are commonly used in Shrewsbury. The highest quality of materials and details incorporated into the scheme create a landmark building for Shrewsbury and will help to attract new investment.

Manchester Waters
Vermont with RGB Facades

X1 Manchester Waters is one of the last remaining large scale regeneration opportunities within walking distance to Manchester City Centre.

A spectacular new development being delivered in partnership with Peel, X1 Manchester Waters is the flagship development of a major multi phase redevelopment of the area and forms part of Peels wider Strategic Waters masterplan.

X1 Manchester Waters will deliver exclusive accommodation to Pomona Island, providing an answer to the inherent need for rental accommodation in Manchester.

Molo Hotel
Task Contract Services with Proteus Facades

Molo Hotel Group at the heart of Liverpool's vibrant Duke Street showcases a careful consideration for a cohesive and integrated architectural design that respects both contemporary and traditional elements. 

Truman Design and Build Ltd and Task Contract Services Ltd, in collaboration with ICA Architects Limited, has transformed the landscape of what once was a tired carpark, with the magnificent Halyard at Ropewalks - an impressive £25 million, 257-room development boasting modern extravagance and historical charm. 

At the core of this architectural marvel lies the innovative and functional Proteus HR system, featuring a stunning 0.7mm KME TECU Bronze finish. This presents a brown-reddish surface oxidation with brown-grey undertones; a distinct look through weathering. This sleek façade, with recessed joints and brackets, not only ensures durability and longevity but also enhances the aesthetic appeal, perfectly complementing the dynamic surroundings of the Ropewalks area. This thoughtful choice contributes to a harmonious blend of new and traditional building materials, seamlessly complementing the brick cladding on the project. 

Molo Hotel marks a new chapter in Liverpool's narrative, combining rich history with contemporary luxury. The richly coloured dual-skinned copper which sits alongside a warm red brick takes inspiration from Liverpool’s deep industrial past.  

Completed over the year of 2023 the building has now had its grand opening, with a local celebrity rope-cutting ceremony and a day of celebration. The stylish hotel boasts amenities such as an inviting rooftop with meeting spaces, gym, and an amazing restaurant.  We're proud to have been part of this transformative journey, revitalising Duke Street's landscape, which is bound to attract tourists from across the globe.  

Morriss House
RG Group with Aliva UK

Aliva UK provided a bespoke EWI and A1 clay brick slip signature facade for this five block £57million, 705 bed new build graduate student accommodation complex in Nottingham for Unite Students.

Unite Students is leading the purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA) sector in the UK. It provides a ‘Home for Success’ to 70,000 students, across 162 properties, in 23 leading university towns and cities. It is equally committed to the sustainability agenda, with ambitious targets to achieve net zero carbon operations and developments by 2030.

The facade project consists of over 8,000m2 red and buff clay slips and several hundred m2 of Aliva’s ALI-Stone 3, 30mm natural stone rainscreen cladding system.

Morriss House is a flagship sustainability build, running on renewable electricity with solar panels on the roof and an all-electric heating system, including air-source heat pumps.

Aliva’s EWI and brick slip system was a complement to the project’s sustainability credentials, given the thermal efficiency benefits that this EWI (mineral wool system) and A1 brick slips yield.

The brick slip system in red and buff, was complemented with a second facade, stone rainscreen cladding used as an elegant accent feature into the campus.

The project had several detail interfaces, however the U-Value achieved was 0.10W/m2k. This thermal value was inputted into the final thermal calculations for the entire building.

The project has a number of sharp angles and standout features in the brick slip deployment, from very acute to very obtuse corner slips and a traditional brickwork corbel effect detailing to the top floor windows creating stylish flair against the city’s skyline.

Of the corner slips, 2,810 were non 90° in various angles that create the sharp angles of the development’s aesthetic. From very acute to very obtuse, the tightest acute angle was 50° and the most obtuse at 140°.

Stockport Interchange
Precision Facades with Weinerberger and Genius Facades

Stockport Interchange is one of the biggest single projects outside of London and a key part of Stockport's £1 billion town centre regeneration.

It comprises of a State-of-the-art new transport interchange, 196 new residential apartments, A new two-acre town centre park, A new cycle and pedestrian link between the interchange and Railway Station.

The Genius Prime rainscreen facade system was chosen for this project as it can meet superior quality, aesthetic 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.

Teeside BIOS
Aspect Facades with BTS Facades and Fabrications

Located on the vibrant Teesside University campus is the state-of the-art BIOS facility.

Teesside University’s School of Health & Life Sciences has around 10,000 students on a wide range of courses, with many coming from the local area.

BIOS involved 1000m2 of Aluminium expanded mesh featuring the Athens profile and was finished in RAL 7016 PPC.

In contrast to previous site assembled mesh projects, here BTS fabricated bespoke channels to surround the mesh.

This fully engineered system utilised Nvelope’s NVF2F box rail and SFS Intec fixings.

A great looking project, right on BTS’ doorstep!

The Social Hub, Glasgow
Walsin with Permavent

This new-build complex is Glasgow's largest hotel and student accommodation development at 215,000 sq ft with 500 bedrooms. The site has lain derelict and inaccessible for more than a decade. We had the once-in-a-generation opportunity to help transform this empty space into the beating heart of a revived Merchant City and Glasgow city centre. Facilities include co-working spaces, a restaurant, coffee bar, retail space, meeting rooms and a rooftop bar. All of this was developed, owned and operated by pioneering hotel brand The Student Hotel (TSH) - the first of its kind in the UK, a creative and inspiring environment that takes advantage of this ideal location to reinvigorate the beating heart of Merchant City and Glasgow city centre. The Student Hotel, renamed The Social Hub, has been delivered by Gilbert-Ash under a £52 million design and build contract. This includes landscaped open spaces, pedestrian routes and a new public square to integrate the category-defying building into its local context. The hotel forms the first phase of the long-awaited regeneration of the 3.6 acre Candleriggs Square site.

The Social Hub is a pan-European investor, developer, owner and operator of a unique, award-winning ‘hybrid' hospitality concept. It combines residential, co-living and co-working with restaurants, bars, gyms, retail outlets and meeting and event space. Driven by its purpose of creating a better society, The Student Hotel (TSH) organisation currently own and operate 15 hotels located in major European cities, including Amsterdam, Florence and Berlin.

The opening of The Social Hub Glasgow marks the return of Candleriggs Square to what it once was as part of the city’s rich commercial history – a bustling market-place full of life, vitality and interest.

Best New Build - South

Sponsored by

Godolphin and Latymer School
SD Samuels with Ash and Lacy and Kingspan

SD Samuels, provided an external facade design accommodating installation and manufacturing tolerances which were more strenuous then a typical external facade project, enabling the external facade to be installed in a continuous and uniform ‘saw tooth’ frontage, producing a façade adopting perforated 'suspended' CF3 panel in alignment to the architectural, while ensuring every panel excluding the bespoke corner panels maintained a142 degree bend, all penetrations including windows and doors maintained adequate fire stopping as per industry and system guidance while ensuring the visual impact of the 'suspended' facade was continuous throughout the elevations, extra though throughout the design was undertaken to ensure the support structure was installed to minimise the visual impact and 'merge' into the Kroc karrier panel acting as the substrate to the façade, ensuring the eye is drawn to the external CF3 panels.

Grange Farm, Great Raveley
DDGL Construction with Mill Works

Our vision for Grange Farm was to create what would appear to be an established farmhouse with a complementary range of barns, offering modern country living whilst paying homage to the former use of the site. We have created three stylish luxury country homes providing nearly 9,000sq ft of well designed living space which blend seamlessly into their rural surroundings, from an scruffy disused farmyard.

Designed and built with sustainability, energy efficiency and adaptability very much in mind, some materials from the former barns were sold on, and others have been re-used in the construction - concrete from the farmyard was crushed and re-used, negating the need to bring hardcore in; feature fireplaces were crafted from brick and timber from the old barns; soil was sceened and re-used on site; slates were sold on.

Use of sustainable timber (Siberian larch cladding and Bereco windows and external doors), ASHPs with fan convectors providing heating and air cooling, and Brise Soleil for sunlight/solar gain management are just some of the latest technologies used within the homes.

The products we used were chosen for their longevity, durability, quality and sustainability, and to achieve our intended design/aesthetic. With the exception of the timber cladding which was grown outside of the UK, all materials have been sourced from locally based UK manufacturers.

The project complies with Part M4 (2) – we chose to design the houses to exceed the requisite Part M.

We achieved a high EPC B rating (87) but we chose not to use renewable energy measures to try and take this up to an A rating, as we felt this would impact on the appearance as well as the cost of the finished houses.

Heathlands School
Gemstone with James Hardie

Heathlands School is the largest deaf school within the UK offering a Total Communication approach to education incorporating British Sign Language, Sign Supported English and spoken English. The school commissioned Gemstone to construct a new timber-frame building, sited in the corner of the campus to deliver much needed additional classroom space. Gemstone chose to use bespoke coloured Hardie® Panel for the envelope of the building in Alexandrite green to represent nature, health, and harmony.

All of the panels were designed individually and fabricated off site to minimise drilling and cutting on site. Not only did this help with health and safety on the school campus but it also sped up the installation process.

Oval Village
Berkeley Homes Group with BTS Fabrications

Oval Village is located in zone 1, Central London, ideally located less than a 10 minute walk away from three tube stations, and surrounded by green space and award winning parks. These stunning 1-3 bedroom apartments are positioned next to the famous Kia Oval Cricket Ground, a short walk from the River Thames and an abundance of trendy shops, bars and restaurants.

A new collection of Manhattan, 1, 2 & 3 bedroom apartments Excellent transport connections via Northern and Victoria lines Residents' facilities including a 24-hour concierge, gym and pool Offering views over the Kia Oval Cricket Ground and London’s iconic skyline

BTS were incredibly proud to partner with Berkeley Homes Group on this amazing development in the heart of central London.

Sawston University Campus
Vertec with Proteus Facades

Unity Campus in Sawston is the dynamic hub for life science and technology innovation!

With cutting-edge laboratory and office spaces meticulously designed to fuel research and development endeavours. The campus boasts unparalleled amenities, including lush green spaces, a serene courtyard overlooking a scenic pond, a fully equipped gym, and more!

Situated within The Cambridge Cluster, one of the UK's premier innovation hubs, Unity Campus offers an environment teeming with research, clinical activities, and a thriving community of pioneering life science businesses.

That’s why we're thrilled to highlight our involvement in the remarkable Sawston Unity Campus project working alongside Morgan Sindall Construction, where we manufactured HR Panels with eye-catching architectural fins coated in a striking Tiger Drylac powder finish. These materials were selected for their ability to mimic the aesthetic of anodized panels while maintaining cost-effectiveness, whilst still aligning with the design vision of Nicholas Hare Architects.

The installation, managed by Vertec Roofing and Cladding, utilised a direct fixing method with continuous channels attached to vertical studs, ensuring structural stability. Mullion support brackets allowed flexible panel placement, enhancing design versatility. The installation process was smooth, with no access difficulties or disruptions to the working environment. The project was completed on time and within budget, meeting the client's satisfaction. The collaboration between Proteus Facades and Vertec, bolstered by comprehensive product training, ensured the efficient and successful installation of the cladding panels.

It's in these meticulous details of that the true essence of craftsmanship shines through, making an extraordinary difference in our work. Witnessing such remarkable progress is truly gratifying. This new build project is expected to significantly contribute to the regeneration and growth of the Cambridge area.

The Stage, London
Far East Facades (UK)

China State Construction Development Holdings Limited (Formerly Known as Far East Global Group Limited) (hereinafter referred to as “CSCD”) was established in Hong Kong in 1969 and re-listed on T\the Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited (stock code: 830). The “Far East Facade” brand of CSCD has become a highly competitive professional company in the world, which, as a facade company, has the longest history, largest business scale and highest market share in Hong Kong. In March 2012, CSCD was successfully acquired by China State Construction International Holdings Limited. Its business scale has grown significantly and CSCD officially became a member of China Overseas Holdings Limited under China State Construction Engineering Corporation Limited. Over the years, based on the business in the Mainland China, Hong Kong and Macao, the company has successfully entered into many overseas markets such as UK, US, Canada, Dubai, Singapore, Japan, Australia and Chile … etc, with businesses in 5 continents, 11 countries and 43 cities. CSCD has involved in more than 900 landmark buildings in total, achieving remarkable results all over the world.

West End Gate
Eden Facades with Proteus Facades

West End Gate, a striking 30-storey mixed-use development located near Marylebone and Little Venice, features 844 apartments, 8 shops, a restaurant, and a new public plaza. Renowned architect Scott Brownrigg designed the new build, with its distinctive façade achieved using Proteus SC Hook-on panels. These 5.0mm aluminium panels, finished with Akzo D2525, were meticulously routed in-house to create a shingle effect, enhancing the development’s aesthetic appeal and durability. The choice of aluminium ensured low maintenance, enhanced safety, fire resistance, and sustainability, making it ideal for the urban environment. The design reflects the historical prestige of the Marylebone and Paddington areas, drawing inspiration from Georgian, Edwardian, and Victorian architecture while offering a modern touch.

The installation utilized the Proteus SC Hook-on system for efficiency and simplicity, accommodating the shingle design with minimal return folds. Panels were routed upside down to hide fixings, maintaining a clean look. Access challenges were managed with scaffolding and cranes, while disruptions were minimized through proactive planning and strong communication with Eden Facades.

Despite the high-rise city centre location, the project was completed on time, within budget, and to the client’s satisfaction. Close collaboration, clear communication, efficient project planning, and temperate weather conditions contributed to this success. Additionally, diligent safety checks and quality control in the factory ensured smooth manufacturing and delivery processes. West End Gate stands as a testament to innovative design, sustainability, and meticulous execution, redefining metropolitan living with luxury and sophistication.

Best refurbishment project

Sponsored by

Ardings & Hobbs
OAG with Proteus Facades

The redevelopment of the Grade-II listed Arding & Hobbs building transformed the old Debenhams department store into a 90,000 sq ft mixed-use scheme, featuring Grade A offices, an expansive roof terrace, and a curated mix of ground-floor retail. To honour the building's rich heritage while infusing modern aesthetics, architects Stiff and Trevillion specified Proteus HR panels in TECU® Brass and Bronze. These materials were chosen for their durability, minimal maintenance, and elegant aging process, which adds a unique patina over time. The bronze and brass panels complement the surrounding architecture, blending traditional and modern elements while maintaining a cohesive style with the stone walls.

The complex installation process, carried out by OAG Ltd, involved crafting 11 different components, including bespoke panel faces for the roof structure. The deep diagrid design rotated 45 degrees allowed the pleated façade to follow the grid's perimeter seamlessly, eliminating the need for a bulky perimeter beam. Despite the logistical challenges of working in central London, careful planning and coordination ensured minimal disruption. Each delivery was meticulously scheduled to fit together on-site, demonstrating a blend of modern innovation and historical preservation.

The project was completed on time, within budget, and to the client's utmost satisfaction, meeting the highest standards of safety, functionality, and aesthetics. The collaborative efforts between Proteus and OAG were pivotal in ensuring timely delivery and precise installation, despite the complexities of the refurbishment. This thoughtful approach not only preserved the building's historical elements but also reimagined it into state-of-the-art offices, creating a dynamic workspace that respects its rich history while embracing contemporary functionality.

BHS Stockport
Cubic Facades with RGB Facades

Our project at BHS Stockport has significantly enhanced the appearance of the high street, modernizing it to align with the surrounding buildings.

We are really proud to have achieved this in such a tight turn around and brought significant cost savings to the client.

Explore - Eton House
SD Samuels with Metsec, Ash and Lacy, and Aquarian

Eton house, was a refurbishment project which required glazing and curtain wall elements to be hung from higher level transfer beams, the external facade was cantilevered of these steels, following discovery on site upstands which maintained the structure of the staircore had to be maintained, SDS provided bespoke fixing methodology of steelwork through cantilevered plates and ladder frames to take the external facade, the external facade was supported of Light steel frame (SFS) adopting wind posts, the detail of the suspended brick piers required secondary supports cantilevered of main steel columns, allowing intricate detailing of the vertical column piers, further to this the glazing bracketry and design of secondary steel enables a continuous weather seal detail while maintaining rigorous deflection limits, the secondary steel design and cantilevered facade design intent also achieved the requirements set by the architect and provided the visual intent on the project aligning with building regulations.

Gary Court
Hamilton (Building Contractors) with Valcan

Gary Court is a nine-storey, mixed tenure, high-rise building that is home to 150 residential apartments and a mix of commercial units in Croydon.

The residential properties are a mix of leaseholders and social housing, managed by the Hyde Group, who are the freeholders for the building. Hyde applied for funding from the Building Safety Fund when it was confirmed that the original building materials were non-compliant with regulations introduced following the Grenfell Tower fire.

Hyde appointed Equans UK & Ireland and Martin Arnold Ltd who then selected Hamilton to deliver the full facade remediation.

Based on a major arterial route and busy high street above a row of shops, and with residents still living there during the works, Gary Court was never going to be an easy job.

The first and most significant challenge was the absence of the ‘as built’ drawings and information. Without this crucial data, the Hamilton team had to carefully measure all external façade substrates and manually calculate and overlay the systems.

Additional complexities included a short timescale for completion and the site itself was extremely tight, which meant just-in-time deliveries were required throughout.

The teams replaced the rendered EWI with Wetherby Building Systems’ fully accredited A2 rated system before removing the traditional brickwork elements of the piers around the façade and applied Wetherby’s Insulated Clay Brick Slip System directly to the concrete frame.

In addition the zinc cladding was remediated with Valcan’s A1 VitraDual cassette system before work on the terracotta areas and the re-fixing the original tiles finished the project.

All insulation and fire barriers were replaced with ROCKWOOL’s non-combustible products and all the sheathing board across the building is now RCM Y-Wall board.

The job was completed with stunning results and the building has since been inspected and received an A1 rating.

Julian Markham House
Topek Southern (TSL) with EH Smith and Alsecco

A busy Purpose-Built Student Accommodation, set in a prime location of the desirable Elephant and Castle, Julian Markham House needed a full fire remediation, and a full aesthetic overhaul.

The project was initiated to address fire remediation concerns for the existing render system, which was constructed using EPS (Polystyrene) and did not adhere to government regulations. The lack of fire breaks or cavity barriers, coupled with non-conforming aluminium cladding, necessitated a comprehensive overhaul. The project aimed not only to rectify these regulatory issues but also to enhance the aesthetic appeal of the structure. This transformation involved replacing the existing system with terracotta tiles, equitone cladding, Sotech aluminium cladding, and Ecomin 300 render. Structural issues discovered during the process necessitated changes to the existing system, including modifications to accommodate deflection and expansion.

The project finished ahead of the scheduled handover date, achieving a striking aesthetic overhaul that places Julian Markham House proudly within its central London surroundings. This project highlighted TSL’s commitment to delivering high standards whilst navigating the complexities of a live environment. This presented unique challenges, from logistical constraints to maintaining progress amidst a bustling student accommodation. TSL’s ability to innovate, particularly in devising solutions for storage and debris control, was crucial to seeing a successful outcome for all.

Meadows Estate
Eden Facades with PermaRock

Properties in the Meadows Estate social housing community in London were in need of an upgrade to improve insulation, aesthetics, carbon performance, and living conditions. With funding secured from the government’s Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund to undertake the necessary modernisation work, Places for People and contractor United Living Group needed an expert and dependable facade company to form part of the project team.

The White House
DW Fascias with Cedral

When Jason and Nikki bought a 19th century clapboard house overlooking a beautiful stretch of the Essex countryside, the property came with planning permission to knock it down and build a new home.

But keen to preserve a piece of history, the couple opted to restore the house instead, choosing Cedral facades to recreate the original clapboard look while benefiting from Cedral’s modern features.

“We wanted the same look as before, to restore the house to how it had looked originally,” says Jason. “We also wanted a property that was as maintenance free as possible.”

Which is why Cedral facades fitted the bill perfectly. Crafted for durability and long life with no need for regular repainting or maintenance, it has a minimum life expectancy of 50 years.

Using Cedral Lap in elegant C01 White, the finished look is a beautiful New England style home that sits at the top of the hill. Finding the right shade of white was important to the couple and here again, Cedral met the requirements perfectly.

“We went for Cedral C01 White because it’s more of a warmer shade, other options we looked at were too bright and cold. It’s a large area of cladding and we didn’t want it to be too blinding when the sun was on it. We also preferred the fact that Cedral offered a thicker board, it had more substance than the others we considered.”

The fact that their builder said he preferred working with Cedral because of its high quality sealed the deal. “He did an amazing job on the installation,” says Jason. “It was all quite painless and everyone who visits comments on the workmanship.”

“We would definitely recommend Cedral,”

York Teaching Hospital façade upgrades
Vital Energi with D&B Facades

Vital Energi and Design Build Facades have helped York General Hospital transform their energy efficiency through a range of upgrades, including upgrades to the building fabric of the 3-storey Ward Block Building, which houses ward and clinical areas. The existing fabric of the Ward Block Building, which was constructed in the 1970s, had poor thermal insulation properties and experienced significant heat loss through both the building fabric and glazing units, which resulted in higher energy consumption.

As well as improving the aesthetics of the building and extending the life of the building for over 60 years, the upgrades to the facade are cutting the carbon footprint of the hospital by 130 tonnes a year, and reducing energy bills by £27,500 a year. Heating energy consumption has been reduced by 70%, and operational carbon emissions reduced by 70% too.

The building fabric upgrades at York, which are helping accelerate the Trust towards their target of net zero by 2040, have been implemented on the west elevation of the building, which has the greatest single external surface of the estate, totalling 2,520m2. The solution reduces heat loss from the building, resulting in reduced heating bills and lower carbon emissions, as well as significantly improving the external aesthetics of the building, allowing patients and staff to benefit from increased natural light and improved ventilation too.

Best use of a brick slip cladding system

Sponsored by

Amber Vista Development, Lakeside, Cardiff
Silver Crescent Developments with Aquarian Cladding Systems in partnership with Ash & Lacy

The Amber Vista project in Cardiff has been, by far, Silver Crescent’s most ambitious project to date. It represents a huge milestone for the business, not just financially but also from a project management perspective, working with over 50 contractors including: Pentan Architects, LRM Planners, Intrado, Consilium, HLD Studio, Quantum, Principality Building Society and, of course, Aquarian Cladding Systems. Everyone is therefore delighted with the successful completion of this stunning landmark project.

Amber Vista is intended to put the Lakeside area of Cyncoed back on the map and the use of the Marziale within the innovative brick cladding solution MechSlip is a perfect example of the changes that can be made to clad buildings of the past, and for the future, authentically and without compromise. Its use has made project management of a scheme on this scale easier and more predictable.

The variety of brick detailing achieved, including stretcher bond in vertical orientation, large brick columns, brick-clad ceilings of walkways and other brick features has made a huge contribution to its high-end kerb appeal.

Without doubt, it would be impossible to achieve brick facades with this range of details, of this quality, and within this budget and programme using conventional brickwork, or indeed any other brick cladding system. The use of MechSlip on Amber Vista is a unique example of what can be achieved with a mixture of product development, imagination and innovation, a lot of careful planning and management, and an abundance of teamwork within the supply chain.

Facades of this quality demonstrate that investing in brick slip technology is essential to meet the increasing demand for a solution that is typically quicker, often more cost effective, usually more attractive, and certainly more sustainable to produce than conventional brickwork (which uses 20% of the raw materials and embodied energy!).

Cortland Broad St.
RG Group with Aliva UK

The facade on this flagship new-build 440 apartment development in Birmingham city centre for BTR operator Cortland includes two parts, a 35 storey and a six storey element.

At 105.5m, it marks the highest brick slip cladding project by Aliva UK.

Aliva’s A1 rated EWI clay brick slip system can be installed without height restriction, making this solution the optimum Modern Method of Construction choice for a building of this height.

The facade installed was Aliva UK’s Termok8 Minerale Modular D clay slip, with a product volume of 11,000sqm.

The slip colourway choice/texture was smooth red, meeting the planning officer’s specification for the project, to complement this part of the city’s industrial heritage and existing traditional red brick aesthetic.

The Aliva system allowed the architect’s design intent to be realised, with repetition and reliability. It created a consistent line and level up the full height of the 35 storey project, any variations would have been highly noticeable.

The product also allowed design flair to be realised, in addition to reliability and repetition. It features a repeating chamfer detailing as the ‘basketweave’ reveal element to the sides of windows running up the entire height of the 35 storey element of the building, as well as a recessed detailing feature to windows of the lower block.

Aliva has A1 accreditation for this system, developed to ensure the highest fire classification has been achieved based on testing to standard EN 13501-1:2019.

Aliva’s EWI and brick slip system was a complement to the project’s sustainability credentials, given the thermal efficiency benefits that the EWI (mineral wool) and brick slips yield.

This award entry demonstrates strong partnership working for client Cortland, with architect Corstorphine & Wright, main contractor RG Group, facade manufacturer Aliva UK and installation contractor PIC Construction Group.

EdCity
Bowmer + Kirkland with Stofix UK

Project overview The Stofix brick slip cladding system was integral to achieving the desired aesthetic for EdCity in White City, London. Its grey rustic bricks perfectly aligned with the architectural vision of tp bennett, while its lightweight and flexible design ensured easy installation with high durability and quality.

Unique prefabricated system Stofix's prefabricated and pre-mortared system, manufactured in a controlled factory environment, reduces on-site pointing requirements, with about 95% completed in the factory. This approach minimises labour time and costs, ensuring a consistent finish and efficient installation.

Product choice and benefits Stofix was chosen for its exceptional quality, efficiency, and fit for EdCity's needs. The lightweight cladding solution starts at just 32kg per sqm, compared to other systems weighing between 51kg and 68kg per sqm. This efficiency was crucial for meeting deadlines and reducing costs. Additionally, Stofix’s flexibility allows for a wide range of genuine brick designs.

Installation process The installation, managed by Caxton Facades, was completed in 20 weeks, ten weeks ahead of schedule. The process included thorough preparation, factory pre-pointing, and systematic application of the brick slip cladding. Special attention was given to the white detail band course to ensure a precise finish. Rigorous quality assurance measures ensured compliance with project specifications.

Challenges and solutions The urban environment of White City posed logistical challenges such as congested roads and limited space. Meticulous planning and a “just-in-time” delivery system helped manage these constraints. The pre-pointed Stofix system enabled quick area completion and maintained high-quality standards.

Project success The project was completed ahead of schedule, under budget, and exceeded the client's expectations. The Stofix system’s adaptability and efficiency were key to its success, harmonising beautifully with the surrounding architecture and enhancing the overall aesthetic appeal.

Explore - Eton House
SD Samuels with Ash and Lacy and Aquarian

SD Samuels provided an intricate external facade adopting extensive secondary support detailing, enabling installation of glazing and cladding elements under limiting structural constraints, while maintaining a high standard of workmanship. Pushing the boundaries on the possibilities of brickslip systems, creating a facade which would not be achievable within the programme constraints of a typical brick and mortar build.

Morriss House
RG Group with Aliva UK