Fortress Works

Fortress Works

Sector:
Commercial
System:
Proteus HR
Architect:
Buckley Gray Yeoman

Fortress Works is an exemplar of how a historic warehouse can be reimagined and reworked to create a fresh, new and inspiring space in London’s Kentish Town.

Designed to appeal to progressive small-medium enterprises, the building is arranged over three levels, with a contemporary two storey extension that features Proteus HR 1.5mm Corten steel cladding.

Proteus HR Corten panels were specified because it enabled the architects, Buckley Grey Yeoman, to achieve the maximum panel size to closely follow the glazing module of 1500mm.  Proteus Facades precision fabrication abilities and the unique panel configurations allow for relatively small return folds to the panel edges. This allowed panels with a  1475mm face panel and 1490mm module, maximising the Corten sheet width of 1500mm.

This inspiring building with its large Corten cladding panels now creates a striking backdrop to the muted tones of the London Buff bricks on the main structure. In doing so it demonstrates how old and new architectural styles can sit together in a historic setting. The results have been outstanding, creating a modern interpretation of a traditional workspace that has successfully preserved the original building while bringing something fresh, new, and inspiring.

Characterised by their reddish-brown finish, the Proteus HR Corten material is continued around the glazed areas creating a homogenous aesthetic across the new extension. The cladding is offset slightly to the glazing line around these areas, which varies across different elevations. 120mm deep Corten fins span in front of the curtain walling and interface with the off-set capping to provide a clean, considered aesthetic.

Proteus manufactured these fins so that they are independent of the glazing by cantilevering them from base to head. They consist of 2 C shaped Corten profiles that are fixed together to form the 120mm x 50mm RHS box profile. Critical to the success of this support structure was integration and close working throughout the project between Proteus Facades and the glazing contractor.

The weathering steel Corten façade now offers superior resistance to atmospheric corrosion because of its protective layer, which develops and regenerates continuously as the material weathers over time, providing Fortress Works with a long term low maintenance façade.

Bringing this design to life was main contractor West 1 Contracts Ltd, which specialises in fit-out and refurbishments in a range of sectors. The Proteus HR Corten panels and fins were installed by Portsmouth-based Premier Seal.

Proteus HR is an integrated modular rainscreen panel system that has an aluminium honeycomb core, structurally bonded between two thin gauges of lightweight metal skin. This creates a lightweight, strong and optically flat panel that satisfy demanding architectural sightlines.

All Proteus cladding and façade systems are manufactured to internationally recognised quality standards, using the highest quality materials, in accordance with its BSI ISO accredited Business Management System for Quality, Environmental and Health & Safety.

Proteus HR is tested to EN13501, achieving A2-s1,d0 or A2-s2-d0 subject to the metal finish.

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  • Corten Fins
  • Weathering Steel Facades
  • Weathering Steel Fins