#1 Altrincham Grammar School for Girls - Conlon Construction with Russwood
Altrincham Grammar was one of only two schools in Trafford without a sports hall; the other being another girls’ school. This raised the question of equal opportunities for girls in Trafford who cannot enjoy the same access to suitable sporting facilities as the boys. This scheme addresses this imbalance and provides the hard-working girls with the facility they deserve. We could have proposed a standard sports hall but due to the Conservation area location and the fact that the School have never had a sports hall (only a small gym), we wanted to deliver something special, a building with presence; one that reflected their aspirations; a building that inspires excellence.
The Trafford Sports and Physical Activity Strategy indicates that inactivity costs the Government £7.4 billion a year nationally. At Greater Manchester level this equates to £26.7m and £4.8m in Trafford. Trafford’s strategy is to promote access to activity for all (in line with national and local targets.) The new sports hall supports this wellbeing target for Altrincham.
The sports hall accommodates 4no. badminton courts, netball, volleyball and basketball; offering a broader sporting curriculum. Recreation can now be accommodated throughout the year, in inclement weather and for longer periods in the winter months. It also negates the need for students to travel off site to play these sports as they currently do, (reducing their carbon footprint, saving travel costs and ‘unproductive’ time).
The use of timber and graphics adds an elegant, contemporary edge to traditional building materials within the long-established school’s estate. The building sits proud in the landscape; a sign of the School’s forward thinking and understanding that the external built environment resulting from how we clad our buildings is just as an important as the internal finishes. Delivered on time and budget, we have a very happy client!
Altrincham Grammar was one of only two schools in Trafford without a sports hall; the other being another girls’ school. This raised the question of equal opportunities for girls in Trafford who cannot enjoy the same access to suitable sporting facilities as the boys. This scheme addresses this imbalance and provides the hard-working girls with the facility they deserve. We could have proposed a standard sports hall but due to the Conservation area location and the fact that the School have never had a sports hall (only a small gym), we wanted to deliver something special, a building with presence; one that reflected their aspirations; a building that inspires excellence.
The Trafford Sports and Physical Activity Strategy indicates that inactivity costs the Government £7.4 billion a year nationally. At Greater Manchester level this equates to £26.7m and £4.8m in Trafford. Trafford’s strategy is to promote access to activity for all (in line with national and local targets.) The new sports hall supports this wellbeing target for Altrincham.
The sports hall accommodates 4no. badminton courts, netball, volleyball and basketball; offering a broader sporting curriculum. Recreation can now be accommodated throughout the year, in inclement weather and for longer periods in the winter months. It also negates the need for students to travel off site to play these sports as they currently do, (reducing their carbon footprint, saving travel costs and ‘unproductive’ time).
The use of timber and graphics adds an elegant, contemporary edge to traditional building materials within the long-established school’s estate. The building sits proud in the landscape; a sign of the School’s forward thinking and understanding that the external built environment resulting from how we clad our buildings is just as an important as the internal finishes. Delivered on time and budget, we have a very happy client!
#2 Blacknest - Roles Broderick Roofing with KME
Blacknest, a stunning bespoke contemporary residence and guest house on a unique lakeside site. The buildings are wrapped in a KME TECU Classic copper finish that reflects the notion of a tree canopy and of a conceptual boat hull. All these elements working together with the water and landscape provide a stunning backdrop that showcases what can be achieved with Copper utilising traditional hand techniques. The guest house was designed as a striking stand alone piece of architecture that both complemented the main house in terms of the materials used but installed with a changed design concept delivering a distinctive building in its own right. A word often overused today is "artisan" but this project could truly be the definition of the word.
Blacknest, a stunning bespoke contemporary residence and guest house on a unique lakeside site. The buildings are wrapped in a KME TECU Classic copper finish that reflects the notion of a tree canopy and of a conceptual boat hull. All these elements working together with the water and landscape provide a stunning backdrop that showcases what can be achieved with Copper utilising traditional hand techniques. The guest house was designed as a striking stand alone piece of architecture that both complemented the main house in terms of the materials used but installed with a changed design concept delivering a distinctive building in its own right. A word often overused today is "artisan" but this project could truly be the definition of the word.
#3 Blakes Hotel - Build-Therm Services with Ash & Lacy
The Blakes Hotel chain, synonymous with quality and pure indulgence, ensures its guests enjoy a one-of-a-kind experience every single stay. This experience begins as soon as they feast their eyes on the hotel’s gorgeous exterior – all thanks to the Mechslip system.
It features eye-catching Victorian aesthetics, whilst encompassing a modern twist – this building is like no other in the area. There was clear intent from every member of the project: architects; specifiers; installers – that the property needed to abide by the Hotel chain’s penchant for stunning quality and sensational visuals.
The newly constructed hotel in Shoreditch is a short distance away from what was once known as Whitechapel Street until 1666 – now known as Brick Lane – the year in which the Great Fire of London, instigated a rise in the demand for buildings to be built with brick due to the local kiln installed in its North end.
The Blakes Hotel chain, synonymous with quality and pure indulgence, ensures its guests enjoy a one-of-a-kind experience every single stay. This experience begins as soon as they feast their eyes on the hotel’s gorgeous exterior – all thanks to the Mechslip system.
It features eye-catching Victorian aesthetics, whilst encompassing a modern twist – this building is like no other in the area. There was clear intent from every member of the project: architects; specifiers; installers – that the property needed to abide by the Hotel chain’s penchant for stunning quality and sensational visuals.
The newly constructed hotel in Shoreditch is a short distance away from what was once known as Whitechapel Street until 1666 – now known as Brick Lane – the year in which the Great Fire of London, instigated a rise in the demand for buildings to be built with brick due to the local kiln installed in its North end.
#4 Cambridge Science Park - MTW Architectural with Metalline
Cambridge Science Park wanted to reposition itself as a leading global technology hub and the design of two new buildings that would occupy this land had to reflect that, providing both office and laboratory space, making up a Bio-Hub.
Each building had a curtain walling envelope encompassing high performance double glazed units and PPC aluminium infill panels, configured in a way to maximise light transmission and limit heat loss through the façade. The Ultima insulated panels combined with the interlocking rainscreen panels were chosen to optimise the building's thermal properties, whilst ensuring the structural frame remains dry against any inclement weather changes.
Working with the team at MTW Architectural, Metalline were able to fabricate the fins and panels offsite to the design specifications and deliver them direct to the site for the final phase of installation. The buildings featured a full height colonnade made up of vertical fins and a horizontal fin which sweeps across the front elevations, echoing the curve of the spine road. Each feature fin was designed to a unique angle on plan to follow the curve.
A number of fins were “stand-alone”, supported from vertical steelwork using a bespoke secondary steelwork framework to which the PPC aluminium casings could be fixed. The remaining fins were a 2-part design with a section positioned inside the building, supported off the curtain walling framing and a section positioned outside to give the appearance of the fin penetrating the building's glass structure, supported off cantilevered steelwork supports. Each fin was deadloaded to the base and stacked using horizontal butt joints at locations that matched the storey height positions.
Cambridge Science Park wanted to reposition itself as a leading global technology hub and the design of two new buildings that would occupy this land had to reflect that, providing both office and laboratory space, making up a Bio-Hub.
Each building had a curtain walling envelope encompassing high performance double glazed units and PPC aluminium infill panels, configured in a way to maximise light transmission and limit heat loss through the façade. The Ultima insulated panels combined with the interlocking rainscreen panels were chosen to optimise the building's thermal properties, whilst ensuring the structural frame remains dry against any inclement weather changes.
Working with the team at MTW Architectural, Metalline were able to fabricate the fins and panels offsite to the design specifications and deliver them direct to the site for the final phase of installation. The buildings featured a full height colonnade made up of vertical fins and a horizontal fin which sweeps across the front elevations, echoing the curve of the spine road. Each feature fin was designed to a unique angle on plan to follow the curve.
A number of fins were “stand-alone”, supported from vertical steelwork using a bespoke secondary steelwork framework to which the PPC aluminium casings could be fixed. The remaining fins were a 2-part design with a section positioned inside the building, supported off the curtain walling framing and a section positioned outside to give the appearance of the fin penetrating the building's glass structure, supported off cantilevered steelwork supports. Each fin was deadloaded to the base and stacked using horizontal butt joints at locations that matched the storey height positions.
#5 Dollis Hill - Talina Builders with CUPA PIZARRAS
Located in Dollis Hill, the project’s designers sought to create a family home with a high-end exterior finish that felt like an escape from London, while also working well with the surrounding structures, including an existing slate-clad façade.
Natural slate was identified as a material that could create an attractive contemporary façade around the rear, sides and the upper elevation of the front of the property. It was also crucial that the façade would act as a rainscreen cladding system. As a result, the project team approached CUPA PIZARRAS.
After visiting Taylor Maxwell’s London Bridge showroom, it was established that the CUPACLAD® 201 Vanguard natural slate system was the ideal solution. As well as being fully BBA approved, CUPACLAD® natural slates are classified as A1 non-combustible and offer a lifespan of over 100 years.
The use of CUPACLAD® was kept in mind throughout the design process, meaning that when it came to construction, it was a simple installation process with minimal wastage and resulted in a clean finish. The CUPACLAD® 201 Vanguard system is constructed from horizontal aluminium profiles, mechanically fastened to an aluminium sub frame support. Once fixed in place, the rows of natural slate are clipped on, and in the case of the Dollis Hill property, using visible fixings to create an attractive pinstripe effect.
Ronan Glynn, project coordinator at Talina Builders commented: “Natural slate is a great cladding product. Not only is it easy to install, but, as it’s natural, you don’t have to handle COSHH sheets for working with a dangerous material. We carry out a lot of demolition and see a lot of old building products go to waste; so it is reassuring that slate offers such longevity and when it might eventually be sent to landfill, you know it will not harm the environment.”
Located in Dollis Hill, the project’s designers sought to create a family home with a high-end exterior finish that felt like an escape from London, while also working well with the surrounding structures, including an existing slate-clad façade.
Natural slate was identified as a material that could create an attractive contemporary façade around the rear, sides and the upper elevation of the front of the property. It was also crucial that the façade would act as a rainscreen cladding system. As a result, the project team approached CUPA PIZARRAS.
After visiting Taylor Maxwell’s London Bridge showroom, it was established that the CUPACLAD® 201 Vanguard natural slate system was the ideal solution. As well as being fully BBA approved, CUPACLAD® natural slates are classified as A1 non-combustible and offer a lifespan of over 100 years.
The use of CUPACLAD® was kept in mind throughout the design process, meaning that when it came to construction, it was a simple installation process with minimal wastage and resulted in a clean finish. The CUPACLAD® 201 Vanguard system is constructed from horizontal aluminium profiles, mechanically fastened to an aluminium sub frame support. Once fixed in place, the rows of natural slate are clipped on, and in the case of the Dollis Hill property, using visible fixings to create an attractive pinstripe effect.
Ronan Glynn, project coordinator at Talina Builders commented: “Natural slate is a great cladding product. Not only is it easy to install, but, as it’s natural, you don’t have to handle COSHH sheets for working with a dangerous material. We carry out a lot of demolition and see a lot of old building products go to waste; so it is reassuring that slate offers such longevity and when it might eventually be sent to landfill, you know it will not harm the environment.”
#6 Hotel La Tour, Milton Keynes – Speedclad with CGL Facades
The luxurious Hotel La Tour, on Marlborough Gate in Milton Keynes, will provide 261 bedrooms and 12,900 sq.ft. of conferencing space, plus an impressive 14th floor sky bar and restaurant with panoramic views and a panoramic lift transporting to the 43-metre-high top floor. The roof terrace will be constructed to a high load bearing specification capable of supporting the weight of a car to enhance its use for press-launches and events.
Occupying the highest point in the city, the development will demand attention with an eye-catching design, by pHp Architects, comprising a split tower clad with a stainless-steel mirror finish. A 30-metre diameter brushed stainless-steel circle will dominate the east facing façade. Hotel La Tour is set for completion in 2022.
The luxurious Hotel La Tour, on Marlborough Gate in Milton Keynes, will provide 261 bedrooms and 12,900 sq.ft. of conferencing space, plus an impressive 14th floor sky bar and restaurant with panoramic views and a panoramic lift transporting to the 43-metre-high top floor. The roof terrace will be constructed to a high load bearing specification capable of supporting the weight of a car to enhance its use for press-launches and events.
Occupying the highest point in the city, the development will demand attention with an eye-catching design, by pHp Architects, comprising a split tower clad with a stainless-steel mirror finish. A 30-metre diameter brushed stainless-steel circle will dominate the east facing façade. Hotel La Tour is set for completion in 2022.
#7 Innovation Studio, Arts University Bournemouth - Complete Rendering Systems with Sto
This new state-of-the-art business incubation building in Dorset was completed with the use of an integrated package of Sto thermal insulation and external render and paint products. The company’s StoTherm Vario and StoTherm Classic insulation systems were specified for the new Innovation Studio at the Arts University Bournemouth, along with StoSilco exterior render and StoColor Dryonic façade paint.
This new state-of-the-art business incubation building in Dorset was completed with the use of an integrated package of Sto thermal insulation and external render and paint products. The company’s StoTherm Vario and StoTherm Classic insulation systems were specified for the new Innovation Studio at the Arts University Bournemouth, along with StoSilco exterior render and StoColor Dryonic façade paint.
#8 Kelaty House - Conneely Façade with Sotech
The mixed-use development which includes a towering student accommodation and hotel at Kelaty House on First Way in Wembley, London includes over 9,500sqm of Optima FC+ Anodised Aluminium Rainscreen. The internal courtyard elevations include a captivating tree design created by bespoke individual perforations.
The panels were anodised in Holland in natural matt and gloss finishes.
The perforated panels have been carefully orchestrated to form the highly original tree silhouettes, visible from quite a distance on the project, which is made up of five separate high-rise blocks.
Standing back to view the building, an onlooker can’t help but look up and down the full height of the building, following the shape of the branches.
Sotech manufactured thousands of panels for the scheme on the Salvagnini automatic panel bender, achieving maximum precision.
The project began March 2020 just as covid restrictions were put in place, the duration of the project took 15 months to complete. It as a complicated project to complete, not least because of the logistic co-ordination but also because of the challenges caused by lockdown restrictions both in the UK and on the world’s borders.
It was also a challenge at tender stage to offer something that met both the design intent and budget given the specialist finishes selected.
All teams across the full supply chain worked hand in hand. From material supply and manufacturing through to anodising and installation on site, all parties had to work closely together to follow the guidance, whilst keeping to tight project timescales.
The mixed-use development which includes a towering student accommodation and hotel at Kelaty House on First Way in Wembley, London includes over 9,500sqm of Optima FC+ Anodised Aluminium Rainscreen. The internal courtyard elevations include a captivating tree design created by bespoke individual perforations.
The panels were anodised in Holland in natural matt and gloss finishes.
The perforated panels have been carefully orchestrated to form the highly original tree silhouettes, visible from quite a distance on the project, which is made up of five separate high-rise blocks.
Standing back to view the building, an onlooker can’t help but look up and down the full height of the building, following the shape of the branches.
Sotech manufactured thousands of panels for the scheme on the Salvagnini automatic panel bender, achieving maximum precision.
The project began March 2020 just as covid restrictions were put in place, the duration of the project took 15 months to complete. It as a complicated project to complete, not least because of the logistic co-ordination but also because of the challenges caused by lockdown restrictions both in the UK and on the world’s borders.
It was also a challenge at tender stage to offer something that met both the design intent and budget given the specialist finishes selected.
All teams across the full supply chain worked hand in hand. From material supply and manufacturing through to anodising and installation on site, all parties had to work closely together to follow the guidance, whilst keeping to tight project timescales.
#9 Lords Cricket Ground Edrich and Compton Stand Replacement - Advanced Glass Facades (AGF) with Proteus Facades
As new build projects go, the new stands at Lord’s cricket ground have gained more than their fair share of attention. And deservedly so. With its aluminium clad, elliptically shaped, 24 metre high design, Compton and Edrich create an arresting aesthetic. The new build stands now provide a range of additional seating and hospitality areas, new concourses and circulation areas overlooking the Nursery Ground, public realm and landscaping.
The form of WilkinsonEyre’s new build stands, which appear like ‘an object landed from outer space’, required careful consideration of angles and curves. The contribution from AGF and Proteus was an important part of delivering this overall objective.
Proteus manufactured and supplied its HR panels with a RAL 7040 finish in flat, curved solid and perforated formats. Alongside this, Proteus SC soffits at ground level were in RAL 9003 Matt finish. It was the geometry and shape of this building that made the panels a complex, challenging process. As it turned out on this project, it was Proteus’ and AGF’s experience that helped identify a method of delivering the architects vision, meaning it remained in budget and, despite Covid lockdown, completing on time.
Completed in July 2021, the capacity of both stands at Lords Cricket Ground has increased from 9,000 to 11,600 seats. Many of the original seats were retained and reused on sustainability grounds, so it was fitting that Proteus used aluminium with a high recycled content where it could on this project.
The completion of the Compton and Edrich stands in time for the 2021 season has ensured the future of Lord’s cricket ground as a world class sporting venue.
As new build projects go, the new stands at Lord’s cricket ground have gained more than their fair share of attention. And deservedly so. With its aluminium clad, elliptically shaped, 24 metre high design, Compton and Edrich create an arresting aesthetic. The new build stands now provide a range of additional seating and hospitality areas, new concourses and circulation areas overlooking the Nursery Ground, public realm and landscaping.
The form of WilkinsonEyre’s new build stands, which appear like ‘an object landed from outer space’, required careful consideration of angles and curves. The contribution from AGF and Proteus was an important part of delivering this overall objective.
Proteus manufactured and supplied its HR panels with a RAL 7040 finish in flat, curved solid and perforated formats. Alongside this, Proteus SC soffits at ground level were in RAL 9003 Matt finish. It was the geometry and shape of this building that made the panels a complex, challenging process. As it turned out on this project, it was Proteus’ and AGF’s experience that helped identify a method of delivering the architects vision, meaning it remained in budget and, despite Covid lockdown, completing on time.
Completed in July 2021, the capacity of both stands at Lords Cricket Ground has increased from 9,000 to 11,600 seats. Many of the original seats were retained and reused on sustainability grounds, so it was fitting that Proteus used aluminium with a high recycled content where it could on this project.
The completion of the Compton and Edrich stands in time for the 2021 season has ensured the future of Lord’s cricket ground as a world class sporting venue.
#10 The Digi-Tech Factory - RG Carter& Varla Cladding with Just Facades
The Digi-Tech Factory is a new, contemporary home for City College Norwich’s technology, engineering and design courses in one lucent building. A factory-influenced design shifts from a standard school-like environment, offering a creative and light-filled atmosphere to energise its users. The building comprises teaching, learning and social space for nearly 500 students, and includes speciality spaces such as robotics labs, digital studios and e-labs alongside general classrooms and support areas. Outside, Digi-Tech Factory features an oversized mesh-like canopy to draw in students and staff for social interaction under the threshold and to provide protection on rainy days.
Importantly, The Digi-Tech Factory looks and feels like the spaces these students will work upon graduation. In the spirit of industrial design, the envelope is comprised from off-shelf components, incorporating an exposed steel frame grid and a thermal envelope of lightweight composite panels and glass. With its external screen of white powder-coated aluminium mesh or corrugated aluminium unifying the building form and modulating the interior and exterior environments, this is a legible building of lightness and air.
The perforated envelope extends to screen an external student plaza, improving physical and visual connections between campus and landscape. This also brings a tactile relationship with the building and its components. The screen provides additional environmental control whilst perforations maintain views in and out of learning spaces and varied effects of depth and shadow across the façade as the light changes throughout the day.
The Digi-Tech Factory is a new, contemporary home for City College Norwich’s technology, engineering and design courses in one lucent building. A factory-influenced design shifts from a standard school-like environment, offering a creative and light-filled atmosphere to energise its users. The building comprises teaching, learning and social space for nearly 500 students, and includes speciality spaces such as robotics labs, digital studios and e-labs alongside general classrooms and support areas. Outside, Digi-Tech Factory features an oversized mesh-like canopy to draw in students and staff for social interaction under the threshold and to provide protection on rainy days.
Importantly, The Digi-Tech Factory looks and feels like the spaces these students will work upon graduation. In the spirit of industrial design, the envelope is comprised from off-shelf components, incorporating an exposed steel frame grid and a thermal envelope of lightweight composite panels and glass. With its external screen of white powder-coated aluminium mesh or corrugated aluminium unifying the building form and modulating the interior and exterior environments, this is a legible building of lightness and air.
The perforated envelope extends to screen an external student plaza, improving physical and visual connections between campus and landscape. This also brings a tactile relationship with the building and its components. The screen provides additional environmental control whilst perforations maintain views in and out of learning spaces and varied effects of depth and shadow across the façade as the light changes throughout the day.