The £10 million Community Hub, commissioned by housing association Curo and designed by architects BDP, sits at the heart of Mulberry Park, the renovation of the former Ministry of Defence site on Fox Hill in the village of Combe Down on the southern fringes of Bath.

The eye-catching building features Proteus SC perforated TECU Gold panels with a PPC coated aluminium support frame on the school hall and the third floor cantilevered above the main entrance and Public Square. This section, installed by Cladanco, acts as an enterprise space and was inspired by the temporary floating Mulberry Harbours once used for the Allied invasion of Normandy during the Second World War.

Proteus SC is an engineered panel system that is offered in either solid, perforated or mesh panel formats. By utilising an extensive range of metals, colours, textures and forms it can add another dimension to any façade cladding project.

The perforated pattern of the Proteus SC panels at Mulberry Park is derived from historic aerial photographs of the harbours and was developed in conjunction with the supporting frame, which was required due to limitations in material thickness. Using Proteus SC and the company’s unique framing system meant that a thinner perforated skin could be used on the face of the panel without resulting in deflection or distortion, helping the striking façade remain within budget requirements.

Complementary Proteus HR solid TECU Gold rainscreen cladding panels feature at ground floor level, adding structure and providing an aesthetically pleasing, hardwearing layer that protects the building from the elements.

The Proteus HR honeycomb core of the rainscreen cladding system involves structurally bonded two thin gauges of lightweight metal skin such as copper alloy to the honeycomb core. Each panel is supported by the unique Proteus system of aluminium carriers and ancillary components, which can be installed on to any type of wall construction.

Proteus TECU Gold is a mix of copper and aluminium and offers outstanding mechanical abrasion and is highly corrosion resistant and durable. The initial bright gold appearance of the façade will gradually oxidise following installation, forming an enchanting warm golden surface.

Buildings featuring cladding systems made from copper alloy materials, like the Mulberry Park Community Hub, provide a vast scope of opportunities for architectural creativity. The striking natural, ever-changing surface creates unique, one-off designs that simply aren’t possible with some other cladding materials

This is one of the reasons the Mulberry Park Community Hub was recently crowned the winner of the South West Community Benefit category at the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) Awards 2019. The award recognises outstanding achievement in providing a facility that directly benefits the local community and can demonstrate its success through local community feedback.

RICS judges commended the project team — BDP Architects, housing association and housebuilder Curo, Rydon Construction and surveyors Ridge & Partners — “for creating an exemplary community hub that is a trailblazer for future community buildings.”

With a distinctive design, it is no doubt that the Mulberry Park Community Hub will be valued by the people of Fox Hill, Combe Down and Mulberry Park and shine bright as a beacon of the local community for future generations – thanks in part to its aesthetically pleasing, gold facade.

Mulberry Park supports a contemporary development of 700 high quality homes and open spaces. Within easy reach for local residents, the community building, fronting on to a new public square, accommodates a 210-place primary school, a 70-place nursery and public use facilities including a café, clinic, a fitness suite and business enterprise and flexible spaces for hire.

Proteus Facades Ltd offers a wide ranges of TECU copper and copper alloys in the UK. This includes TECU Copper, TECU Bronze, TECU Brass, TECU Gold, and TECU Zinn. Some of these materials are also available pre-patinated, which bypasses the gradual weathering process, so that the cladding panels take on the beautiful earth tones from the day the façade is installed.

The University of Central Lancashire (UCLan) commissioned ‘social spaces’ with the aim of encouraging students to stay longer on its Preston campus.

Architecture and building consultancy practice, AHR, sought to design and create a striking space that engaged with students. Key design features include a projecting entrance canopy, glass roofs and an indoor hidden garden, as well as moveable furniture so students can reconfigure the space to suit their needs.

Part of a £200m campus masterplan, the development comprises the Foster Building and Harrington Building

Proteus Facades’ supplied its Rimex ColourTex Pyramid Black stainless steel cladding for the front low level aspects of both buildings because it creates a tough, impact resistant surface – the pyramid patterned finish hides scratches, dents and other impact damage, making it ideal for a high traffic student area

Aside from its physical robustness, the three-dimensional pyramid pattern gives the black added depths and texture, creating a lively and reflective facade.

Pre-coated aluminium Euromax AnoMax Ultra Matt Grey Black finish was then used to clad the high level canopy fascia, again on both buildings. The anodised-effect of the AnoMax creates a subtle contrast to the pyramid patterned ColourTex, establishing a fusion of textures and colours.

The primary reason for specifying Euromax AnoMax cladding material was because it offers excellent colour consistency due to the coil painting process. This helped accentuate the clean crisp lines of the Proteus cladding panels which feature a tight radii at the edges that visually elongate the linear sightlines characteristic of good design.

“The guidance from Proteus enabled us to identify a cladding solution for UCLan that met the strict aesthetic and physical performance requirements of the ‘social spaces’ buildings,” said Steven Leung from AHR. “The quality of this development reflects the uncompromising approach of all the project partners and we certainly valued the knowledge and expertise of the Proteus team in proposing appropriate cladding solutions.”

Both the ColourTex and AnoMax materials were specified on the Proteus HR honeycomb panel system. This is a sandwich cladding panel that features a linked geometric honeycomb core. This was structurally bonded to the ColourTex and AnoMax outer skins at UCLan. The result was a cladding panel with high bending stiffness and overall low density.

This allowed the designers to minimize the amount of material used, reducing weight loadings on the structure and delivering a more cost effective outcome due to the honeycomb core allowing thinner outer skin thicknesses whilst still retaining an optically flat panel.  The Proteus HR honeycomb core also reduced weight loadings on the 5m overhanging canopy that announces the point of arrival for students, avoiding the need for overly obtrusive support columns.

Main contractor at UCLan was Conlon Construction Ltd and the façade was installed by Preston-based Architectural Glazing & Facades. The development is part of UCLan’s £200million Masterplan that is being rolled out over the next five years. The new social spaces were complete earlier in 2018.

Proteus Facades offer a wide range of Rimex ColourTex materials, including up to 20 different surface patterns, along with Pyramid. AnoMax from Proteus is a range of pre-coated aluminium that creates the anodizing-look, whilst offering greater scope to incorporate shapes and forms within the façade.

Photography by Charlie Birchmore c/o RIMEX

The £56.5m Life Sciences Building features a radical, undulating façade executed in Proteus HR solid and SC perforated free-form concave and convex panels with half-circle radii geometry.

The visual impact of Sheppard Robson’s design has been a beacon for the department, and the university reported a 40% rise in admissions in the two years following its completion.

The entire western block of Bristol Life Sciences is sheathed behind a striking combination of Proteus HR and Proteus SC solid and perforated, curved and flat aluminium panels that wrap, ripple and sheer across the facade.

Distinctly different in form, it is this west-facing wing with its gently snaking façade that defines this building. The striking geometry of the Proteus HR and SC façade establishes a new landmark on the Bristol skyline.

Proteus HR and SC are versatile and flexible solutions that provide aesthetic screening to building facades. Proteus SC is a single-skin metal panel system that can be specified as solid, perforated or mesh formats. Proteus HR panels have a honeycomb core to achieve a lightweight, perfectly flat surface, creating a powerful contrast to the curved panels below.

In a radical move by the architects, the large 1.5 m diameter ducts that provide services to the environmentally-controlled laboratories are located outside the building insulation line. These are expressed as bulbous shafts ribbed across the façade and shrouded by Proteus HR solid, curved aluminium panels.

Interwoven between these are three bands of window openings. In order to manage natural light levels inside the laboratories, the windows are set back deep within recesses and semi-obscured by the Proteus SC perforated panels that appear as bulbous, puffed-out, skeletonised versions of the curved HR panels around the service ducts.

The solar shade provided by the perforated panels reduce cooling loads within the teaching half of the building by enabling the use of exposed slabs with active chilled beams. This minimised floor to ceiling heights and that in turn enabled an entire floor height to be saved, which helped in planning and conservation terms.

Repositioning the service ducts to the outside of the also building had practical benefits because it enabled reconfiguration of the internal modular laboratory spaces in order to adapt to future requirements.

The overall appearance of the west-wing is staggering, with a beguiling industrial and machine-like appearance that is a perfect representation of the complex scientific activities that take place within.

Sitting above this sinuous, façade is a counter-balanced pod that features Proteus HR solid cladding panels in a tall, elongated arrangement. The optically flat, sheer face of the Proteus HR panels transition from the wrapped and rippled facade below with the help of swept curves around the edges of the overhanging pod.

A spokesperson from Sheppard Robson architects said: “Our goal on this project was to create a building that respects the neighbouring listed buildings and surrounding conservation area whilst also adding a confident piece of contemporary design to Bristol. The cladding panels have created a sinuous organic aesthetic that reflects the nature of the activities inside.”

The Life Sciences Building now has one of the largest learning labs in the country, capable of teaching 200 students at once. There are multiple screens to ensure all students can see close-up what the lecturer is doing and moveable walls can change the size of the space.

Bristol Life Sciences Building was shortlisted in the RIBA Awards and Education Estates Awards. It was designed by the architects Sheppard Robson and built by VINCI Construction UK.

The east side of the striking 10,000m² building, which expands the university’s library provision, now features the beautiful brown-red to brown-grey and ochre tones of Proteus HR’s TECU Bronze cladding panels.

The scheme, designed by Associated Architects, features Proteus HR panels which consist of an aluminium honeycomb core for strength and rigidity, structurally bonded between two thin gauges of TECU Bronze material, to create an optically flat face with tight radii. The Proteus HR cladding is fixed to composite panels that incorporate high levels of insulation.

The Emily Wilding Davison Building is a striking design yet one that sits harmoniously in a site steeped in history, flanked on one side by the Grade I listed Gothic revival building and surrounded by one of the most beautiful natural campus landscapes of any university in the world.

Proteus HR TECU Bronze was selected by Associated Architects because the ochre’s, browns and reds resulting from the natural weathering of the material was considered to harmonise with the colour of the brick and clay roof tiles of the Grade I structure beyond.

The size and shape of the TECU Bronze cladding panels featured heavily during the design stage, with a decision taken to go with elongated portrait format panels with horizontal joints that aligned with projecting feature ‘tree-house’ meeting pods.

The sensitive design response came out of a number of constraints imposed by topological aspects of the site, with one principal factor being a need to limit the height of the new building so that it remained clearly subservient to the Gothic Revival Grade I Listed Founders Building.

In response, the Emily Wilding Building doesn’t exceed three storeys above ground, whilst use of the vertical module TECU Bronze cladding panels avoids the façade appearing squat. A basement floor was excavated into the sloping site, maximising the useable space.

Proteus Façade’s TECU Bronze, which is an alloy of copper and zinc, provides the façade with outstanding mechanical abrasion and corrosion resistant properties as well as being maintenance free.

The main contractor was Osborne, one of the leading construction businesses in the UK. The Proteus HR TECU Bronze cladding panels were installed by Colorminium, who were involved in all aspect of the façade from two years prior to commencement of the build, working with Associated Architects and Proteus Facades during the process and undertaking the design in a full 3D BIM Revit format.

Proteus offers one of the widest ranges of TECU copper and copper alloys in the UK. This includes TECU Copper, TECU Bronze, TECU Brass, TECU Gold, TECU Zinn, a tin-plated copper that offers all the advantages of copper but weathers from silver to subtle grey tones.

The materials are also available pre-patinated, which bypasses the gradual weathering process, so that the cladding panels take on the beautiful earth tones from the day the façade is installed.

The TECU Bronze cladding fitted on the Emily Wilding Davison Building was supplied in its natural warm, reddish brown state, which will develop in a manner characteristic for bronze through the effects of weathering.

Photography by Simon West Photography

Further visual interest was added to this project by the juxtaposition between the Proteus SC perforated panels specified for the flue stack and Proteus HR solid cladding panels used to create the unusual vertical saw-tooth façade design on the Energy Centre’s main building.

This was a challenging project for MCW architects because the designers had to work around the constraints imposed by the requirement for a large ‘box’ like structure to house a 1MW biomass boiler, four 4MW gas boilers and a 120m³ thermal store.

Proteus HR solid metal skin with honeycomb core was used around the thermal envelope of the building combined with polycarbonate cladding in a striking internally lit vertical “saw-tooth” arrangement. The lightweight, exceptional flatness, strength and rigidity of Proteus HR panels allowed the architects to develop a large modular cassette system (2500x1000mm), which was replicated around the building providing uniformity across different façade elements.

An equally engaging aesthetic was achieved on the 26m high stack by wrapping it in the Proteus SC perforated ‘skin’, creating a sense of weightlessness in what would, at the height of three London buses, have been quite an imposing structure. The back-lit random perforations now appear as though they are pixels being projected outwards from the 12m LCD screen, whilst the elongated landscape perforated panels play with the eye to visually truncate the stack’s overall height.

The screen itself provides the university with a useful information bulletin that showcases courses and events as well as being an advertising medium, both of which have the potential to generate a useful secondary income stream.

In order to achieve the ‘random’ pattern for the perforations, each of the Proteus SC panels on the flue stack had to be manufactured to a specific drawing reference and to millimetre tolerances. This involved changing the location, number and layout of the perforations on each panel. The pitch of each hole had to be calculated so that they passed seamlessly over panel joints.

Proteus also addressed the aim of establishing a seamless link between its perforated panels on the stack and the 12m high LED screen. This was done by working with the architects, screen suppliers and façade installers, Deane Roofing and Cladding, to create a bespoke tray system allowing the screen to be recessed and the perforated panels butted up flush with the edges.

“While the building function is essentially utilitarian and technical, the external envelope has been developed to create a visually strong elevation to the campus celebrating the University’s commitment to sustainability.” said MCW architects. .”

Both the Proteus SC perforated and Proteus HR solid cladding panels are executed in polyester powder coated aluminium in RAL 7044 Silky grey, creating visual integration between the stack and main building below.

The new Energy Centre forms part of the £330m Waterside Campus Development at the University of Northampton. It will provide sustainable heating and hot water for all the buildings and student residencies on the 58 acre site, whilst saving over 1,000 tons of CO₂ in the short term, rising to 2,200 tons a year following the introduction of a Combined Heat & Power Engine.

Whilst the spirit of the original 1960s building is still there, Freeland Rees Roberts Architects updated Goodhart using Proteus cladding for the window pods, top floor extension and roof soffits.

Executed in Rimex stainless steel in a Proteus HR format, the projecting window pods, made from multiple panels, are manufactured from Colourtex Granex in Bronze effect.

The roof soffits, which jut out from the building in a repeating diagonal pattern were again manufactured using the Proteus HR in Colourtex Granex Champagne colour, to complement the Bronze window pods, but allows more light to bounce off the soffits.

The subtle contrast between the Bronze and Champagne preserve the character of the existing building and form part of a colour scheme that keeps the refurbished building sympathetic with the surrounding heritage assets.

Proteus HR’s honeycomb core delivers maximum compression and shear resistance with minimal material requirement. Aside from keeping costs down, this made it the ideal choice for the projecting window pods, roof extension and overhanging soffits because it reduced the load transferred to the main building structure.

The Proteus HR panels specified for the windows were fitted to vertical mullions anchored to the backing wall. This system provided sufficient adjustment to enable the shadow gaps between the multiple panels to achieve millimetre tolerances. This, combined with the exceptional flatness and tight edge radii of each honeycomb panel, created perfectly harmonious sightlines between the eight separate elements that make up each window pod.

Tania Gomez-Duran, Associate at Freeland Rees Roberts Architects, who lead the project to retrofit the Goodhart Building student accommodation, said: “The Proteus HR cladding system provided us with an effective method of retaining the original window aesthetics. The subtle granular surface of the panels complement the sheer smooth glass elements of the window.”

She added: “The combination of projecting window elements and overhanging roofline has the effect of breaking up the façade but maintaining the rhythm of the existing. We felt that this avoided having large plain areas that would clash with the intricate architectural detailing on assets nearby.”

The Goodhart Building has been fully refurbished and extended to provide accommodation for 57 students. Originally opened in 1962 to provide accommodation for undergraduates in the heart of the college, the refurbishment was carried out to improve the buildings energy efficiency and quality. It now uses 40 percent less energy than the original building.

A spokesperson from Oxford University said: “The refurbishment has completely transformed the quality and energy performance of Goodhart, providing University College with a light, bright, comfortable student residence with a significantly reduced carbon footprint. The cladding around the window and roofline retain a spiritual link with the original design.”

The Granex finish involves the controlled bead blasting of sheet and coil stainless steel and other metals with various media to produce a range of matt finishes in different coarseness. The surface finish is more reliably consistent and of a superior quality compared to other methods of creating a granular finish.

Cladanco installed the cladding and the main contractor was Beard Construction.

Photography courtesy of Charles Birchmore Photography

The Proteus HR TECU Brass and TECU Bronze materials were used for the external envelope of the new performance hub.

Being manufactured from copper alloys means that the TECU materials from Proteus will weather over time, subtly changing the façade’s appearance as it develops a tough, maintenance-free and beautiful patina.

1532 Performing Arts Centre, the year being when the school received its royal charter, comprises a new build auditorium and associated facilities that are linked to the school’s existing Elton Road Block.

The architects specified Proteus HR TECU Brass and TECU Bronze materials for the rainscreen panels on the performance hub because its honeycomb core creates a lightweight façade, minimising weight loadings on the underlying structure, whilst helping the panels achieve near perfect optical flatness.

These lightweight, strong properties of the Proteus rainscreen cladding panels provided an effective way of created the counterbalanced visual on this development where the hub appears to be cantilevered from the main building. This elegant, and at first impressions, gravity-defying design is supported by only two discreet columns.

The management team at Bristol Grammar School also liked that fact that the subtle weathering of the TECU Brass and Bronze materials would complement the same natural process that occurs on the local stone used on nearby buildings on campus.

This subtle matt surface on the rainscreen cladding panels will gradually develop an oxide layer that will protect the building from rain, frost, wind, UV rays and other external elements. The process brings with it striking colour variations through an entire range of brown, green and brown-violet tones that change depending on the level of natural light and time of year.

Ultimately, the TECU materials will develop a robust patina that will accentuate its distinctive character and outwardly project the aim of the school to improve and develop its performing arts facilities. The Proteus carrier system was used to support the vertically arranged, elongated cladding panels.

Proteus HR rainscreen cladding systems are available in a wide range of alternative materials and finishes including steel, aluminium, zinc and stainless steel. The rich diversity of the TECU range of copper and copper-alloy materials allows unparalleled variety and high-quality aesthetics for architecture. The company’s ability to manufacture perfectly matching roofline, window reveals and soffits accentuate the striking, naturally-weathered aesthetic.

The main contractor at the new 1532 Performing Arts Centre was able to overcome the challenges presented by the building being located in the midst of the school campus and with limited access. Scheduling work around term times to minimise disruption to the school, Cladanco, the façade installer, utilised its convenient Bristol base and local workforce to assist in this process.

The shimmering, iridescent effect of the elZinc Rainbow Gold panels work perfectly against a backdrop of grey rainscreen façade, creating powerful, accented focal points.

Blackdale student residences at UEA provide 514 beds and were designed by LSI Architects using Proteus HR elZinc Rainbow Gold to accent the façade on key views.

The first floor of a central building situated between Hickling and Barton House is clad entirely in Proteus HR eIZinc Rainbow Gold panels at first floor level. The iridescent gold finish reflects the light, illuminating the adjacent houses to add to the overall dramatic effect.

LSI Architects set out to create a design for the two new student accommodation buildings that would relate directly to the original campus designed by visionary architect Denys Lasdun, as well as the local environment.

Lasdun’s original 1960s Teaching Wall had a distinctive stepped appearance, created by each successive storey being set back from the one below. This iconic ‘ziggurat’ – a rectangular stepped tower – remains as striking as ever and provided the inspiration for the new student accommodation buildings that feature the Proteus cladding.

The Proteus HR elZinc Rainbow Gold cladding panels gave LSI more design scope to replicate the most striking element of Lasdun’s creation – a modern interpretation of the stepped ziggurat design was created by projecting the accent cladding outwardly from the grey facade.

Proteus HR is an integrated modular rainscreen cladding system that consists of an aluminium honeycomb core, structurally bonded between two thin gauges of metal skin. The lightweight yet strong panels are available in a wide range of colours and materials including steel, aluminium, zinc, stainless steel and copper alloys.

The Proteus HR elZinc Rainbow Gold panels were made from rolled titanium zinc, which forms an attractive and durable finish. The elZinc Rainbow range is available from Proteus in a range of graded colours. It is made by applying mineral pigments to create an organic, iridescent coating that provides additional protection against corrosion.

“Proteus HR accent cladding in elZinc Rainbow Gold delivered an aesthetic that lifts the whole development in a similar way to Lasdun’s striking stepped ziggurat,” said James Lake, Architect at LSI. “The elZinc provides a beautiful contrast to the other façade materials and has the effect of transforming the whole aesthetic. It complements Lasdun’s original design, whilst the iridescence gold finish gives a nod to modernity.”

Each panel at UEA is supported by the unique Proteus system of aluminium carriers and ancillary components, which can be installed on to any type of wall construction. Main contractor on this project was RG Carter, with the Proteus rainscreen cladding being installed by Deane Roofing & Cladding.

Having a honeycomb core means that the Proteus HR panels deliver maximum compression and shear resistance with minimal material. This helped the development at UEA minimise the load transferred to the main structure, significantly reducing overall material requirements compared to the original concrete structure.

The project achieves a BREEAM Excellent rating and both new buildings have been delivered to BIM Level 2 including the delivery of an Asset Information Model.

The concrete façade, combined with the perforated cladding and triple glazed curtain walling on the Hub fuse together to outwardly portray what this innovative research facilities does on the inside.

Aukett Swanke chose Capisco’s CAP 55 finish for the Proteus SC perforated panels early in the design process because they were looking to complement the flat bare concrete façade and glazed elements.

The CAP 55 effect was hand applied by patination specialist Capisco, which gave the Proteus SC TECU Brass perforated panels an enhanced flow, feel and texture. The appearance of the perforated and patinated panels now changes depending on the level of sunlight and the angle at which they are viewed from. The end result is a strikingly beautifully aesthetic that appears to move and shimmer across the visually flat façade beneath.

The perforated panels seamlessly transition through the entrance glazing to form a striking feature within the atrium entrance. This creates an impressive solar composition, accentuated by spotlights, when visitors cast their eyes upwards.

“The contrast between the concrete, glass and patinated brass couldn’t be more complementary and, with it, pleasing to the eye,” said Elias Niazi, Design Principal at Aukett Swanke. “The visual outcomes on this project have exceeded expectations. The perforated patterns on the brass panels with artistic patinations add a sense of mystery and mirror the innovative research works carried out inside the building.

Elias Niazi, Design Principal explained: “We specified Proteus SC because we liked the wide panels of its TECU Brass perforated system, as well as the company’s ability to work with Capisco on what is a completely bespoke cladding solution.”

Proteus Facades, again working with Capisco to create a matching patinated finish, manufactured the window flashings for the Hub. Initially conceived as a simple window flashing, Proteus had to overcome a real technical challenge – the profile of the window reveal is a narrow box that tapers across the width to make it appear as though the window blends into the concrete.

The maximum depth of the window reveal was too large for traditional manufacturing processes and so a multi piece flashing design was developed which could be stud welded and bolted together. This avoided any distortions that would have resulted from traditional welding processes, whilst creating a bespoke element that could be easily installed on site.

Proteus Facades is able to supply the CAP 55 finish in either Brass or Bronze materials. The TECU Brass Proteus SC perforated panels were developed in conjunction with the supporting composite panel behind. These had a maximum capacity to support the perforated panels, with the required cavity zone, at 750mm centres. Proteus SC perforated hock on panel system was used, set off from the company’s 125x50mm mullion.

The perforated panels encompass a PPC black stainless steel bird mesh, carefully integrated into the back to ensure there was no visual impact to the panel face.

The Molecular Sciences Research Hub encompasses technical and laboratory areas clustered around a full height atrium. The striking new hub forms the centre piece of the Imperial West campus. Laing O’Rourke commenced construction works at the end of 2014 with completion in 2016. The façade was installed by its in-house team, Laing Facades.

The architects specified Proteus SC Tray Panel system for the single skin perforated panels that form bold, sweeping diagonal patterns across the façade.

Wrapped around the entire building, the perforated ‘skin’ on West Yorkshire History Centre delivers an aesthetic like no other. Executed in polyester powder coated aluminium, the perforations give the panels various degrees of opaqueness, with back lighting in the evening accentuate the effect, forging a dramatic, changing façade.

During the day, the cladding plays with natural light, creating a sense of weightlessness that avoids the issue on some structures where a solid facade overly-dominates its surroundings.

The overall effect is one where the facade appears to ‘float’ over the underlying structure, with the diagonally-swept perforations creating a 20 metre high building that signals a modern new outlook for West Yorkshire History Centre.

In order to achieve the design requirements, each of the perforated panels had to be manufactured to a specific drawing reference and to millimetre tolerances by Proteus Facades. This involved changing the location, number and layout of the perforations on each panel. The pitch of the holes also had to vary to ensure the centres passed seamlessly over panel joints.

“Our initial design concept for this project was one that had a perforated façade to create a striking visual effect during that day and at night,” said Joanna Cebrat from Broadway Malyan. “We choose to work with Proteus because they demonstrated an ability to manufacture the panels to exacting tolerances and that was critical to creating this stunning, geometric form.”

Proteus SC is an engineered panel system that is available in either solid, perforated or expanded mesh formats, and in an extensive range of metals, colours, textures and forms. The single skin perforated panels at West Yorkshire History Centre were manufactured from 4mm aluminium sheet metal with an Alesta February 4 powder coated paint finish.

Each perforated panel was supported by the Proteus aluminium carrier system and ancillary components anchored to the underlying masonry structure. These allowed the panels to be hooked-on, accentuating the sheer, smooth façade interrupted only by the perforated design.

The rail system supplied by Proteus comprises a 125 x 50mm mullion, which was designed to span floor to floor with large cantilevers fixed from the first floor slab and connected to the bespoke designed steel work at roof level to allow the building to form the profile required.

The hanging system to support the panels at the arrow head of the building again required a bespoke design from Proteus in order to achieve the visual requirements set by the designers as well as creating a robust roofline in this elevated, exposed position.

The cladding contractor in this project was Longworth Building Envelope Services and Bardsley Construction acting as main contractor.

Proteus engineered the panels around specific budget requirements to achieve the best possible outcome for the client and the architects. The £6.4m development was jointly funded by the five West Yorkshire Councils, West Yorkshire Joint Services and with a £3.9m grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF).

West Yorkshire History Centre now houses over 10 million historical records in an environment where there are strict controls over levels of natural light and temperature inside the building.