In recent years the school has experienced a consistently increasing take-up of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) related subjects by pupils. However, it was found that there was a lack of existing, fit-for-purpose space to house and support the growth and teaching of these subjects at the school.

The new Corfield Building at St Albans School replaces a now demolished wooden cabin-like structure to address this need. Designed by PHP Architects and developed by Borras Construction, it includes a bespoke two storey maths facility on the upper ground and first floors along with a Combined Cadet Force (CCF) shooting range and office space within the lower ground floor.

A key requirement for the design of the new structure was to ensure that the outside aesthetics showcased the state-of-the-art facilities within and the leading reputation that the school has for its STEM programme.

To achieve the required aesthetic and taking inspiration from the old black boards and white chalk used in schools many years ago, PHP Architects specified bespoke Proteus GL 4mm back-painted glass cladding panels with a unique, screen-printed monochrome mathematical design.

Using state-of-the-art glass processing facilities, the glass was fabricated with a two layer digital screen-print effect. An initial white application was applied, and CNC control printed with the mathematical symbols. A solid secondary black back-painted layer was then added to create the black board effect. The featured arrangement of mathematical and geometrical symbols, shapes and equations represent those used within theories and formulas covered as part of the core subject.

While the principal of designing a blackboard for the external elevation sounds simple, it creates a number of challenges. The most prudent is developing a product that can both achieve the required aesthetics and have the strength and durability to withstand external environmental conditions such as harsh weather.

As glass is a completely inert material, Proteus GL was the ideal choice as it provides a virtually unlimited lifespan because it is rust and corrosion free. In addition, as the system is available in almost any RAL colour or bespoke digitally screen printed options, the material offers architects a wealth of design options while providing a product that is colourfast, resistant to UV rays and fully tested and compliant with CWCT Standards.

Proteus GL is an integrated modular rainscreen cladding system with an aluminium honeycomb core structurally bonded between a toughened back painted glass face and a lightweight metal rear skin. The system has been tested to EN13501 and achieves an A2 fire rating. It is also lightweight, being up to 33 percent lighter than the closest glass rainscreen system.

Each panel, installed by Craft Interiors, is supported by the unique Proteus system of aluminium carriers and ancillary components, which can be installed on to any type of wall construction, with no visible fixings, creating a sheer, smooth façade.

Commenting on the design and development of the new structure at St Albans School, (which received full funding from Nick Corfield OA) a representative of the School said: “As well as significantly improving the home of our ever-popular CCF unit, this development provides our Maths Department with a new building worthy inside and out of its outstanding results.”

Designed by Simpson Haugh Architects and developed by Downing Construction, River Street Tower offers high quality, affordable student accommodation that comprises of three distinct structures. The largest reaches a colossal 32 storeys and sits alongside a second ten storey structure and a smaller five storey building.

Based in Manchester City Centre, River Street Tower is the latest in Downing’s portfolio of student accommodation properties and is situated in the First Street Neighbourhood, between River Street and Garwood Street, next to the Mancunian Way.

The development, which has successfully regenerated a dilapidated brownfield site that was previously considered to be a city eyesore, features Proteus GL 5mm glass panels with a RAL 5004 Dark-Blue finish. Installed on the external façade of the 32-storey building and across the inner courtyards, the panels were chosen as the dark-blue finish dances in the natural light, but without creating glare for nearby traffic and passers-by.

Architects Simpson Haugh also specified the Proteus GL panels as they have a EN13501 certified to A2-s1,d0 fire rating, which is in line with Downing Construction’s strict safety guidelines in all aspects of design and build – a key requirement for all buildings developed by the student accommodation specialist.

Sitting alongside other buildings in the development, the glass panels also provide a sleek contrast against Corten weathered steel rainscreen cladding which features on the external facing elevations of the connecting ten and five storey structures. These steel alloy panels, which forms a rust-like appearance over time, were chosen to provide a contextual connection with the copper shades featured on other buildings in the surrounding area.

Proteus Facades also fabricated Proteus SC 3mm aluminium profiled panels in a matching RAL 5004 Dark-Blue gloss finish for installation alongside the building’s windows. These panels incorporate hidden vents that provide a clever design-led way of improving air circulation within the building but without interrupting the quality aesthetics of the external façade.

The combination of matching dark-blue metal and glass cladding creates a layered, reflective sequence of surfaces that has been known to catch the eye of passers-by, who stop to admire the playful finish of the building’s surface. This blue, reflective finish also helps the building to blend in with the skyline too, reducing the monolithic appearance of the tower.

River Street Tower comprises of 791 student bed spaces that includes a mix of studios, clusters bedrooms and apartments as well as resident amenity space. It also features state-of-the-art onsite amenities such as a cinema room, private dining area, gym and gaming zone.

At ground level, where the student amenity spaces and associated plant and back of house spaces reside, Proteus HR natural anodised aluminium cladding panels feature on the base of the building forming an external inset wall and soffit. These panels were chosen to illuminate the walk-way leading onto the courtyards and off-street entrances and provide a lighter finish against the dark blue façade.

Installed by Alumet, each Proteus GL, SC and HR cladding panel is fixed to the Tower using a unique system of aluminium carriers and ancillary components, also manufactured by Proteus Facades. The system can be installed on to any type of wall construction and enables the panels to be easily hooked in place. This useful feature also means that individual panels can be removed to allow access for service and maintenance if ever required once the development is complete.

Pound Field student accommodation developed by Downing Construction, is situated on Lambeth Road in the heart of the historic Lambeth Palace Conservation Area (Zone 1) of central London.

Designed by KKA Architecture, the building features a mix of Proteus GL rainscreen cladding panels in Iron grey (RAL 7011) and Anthracite grey (RAL 7016), alongside Proteus CX porcelain ceramic rainscreen cladding panels in a Road, slate style finish.

The combination of glass and ceramic in the varying shades of grey and reflectivity, which have been described as sleek and aesthetically pleasing by local residents and passers-by, were chosen to complement the historic surroundings of the local area. At the same time, it provides a subtle contrast against the golden brickwork exterior on the building’s lower levels.

Proteus GL and Proteus CX are integrated modular rainscreen cladding systems with an aluminium honeycomb core and a lightweight metal rear skin. Proteus GL is structurally bonded between a toughened back painted glass face, whereas, Proteus CX has an ultrathin 3mm porcelain ceramic facing.

The glass panels were specified due to the materials inert properties and because it provides a virtually unlimited lifespan and is completely impervious to rust and corrosion. It is also lightweight, being up to 40 percent lighter than a typical glass structural screen, colourfast and resists UV rays.

With the advanced production technique of honeycomb bonding, Proteus CX was also chosen as it creates greater flexibility for architects to apply large format and lightweight ceramic finishes, as was the case on this development.

The use of porcelain ceramic is also more environmentally friendly, with the manufacturing process emitting 20 times less gas and dust emissions and 1000 times less CO2 emissions compared to a traditional ceramic production process.

Installed by Clarke Facades, each Proteus GL and Proteus CX panel is supported by Proteus Facades’ unique system of aluminium carriers and ancillary components, which can be installed on to any type of wall construction, with no visible fixings, creating a sheer, smooth finish. Both systems are also fully tested and compliant with CWCT Standards.

Adding further elements to the façade, Proteus also worked closely with Downing Construction, KKA Architecture and Clarke Façades to fabricate a new and bespoke range of complementary glass and ceramic Proteus SP spandrel panels.

Each spandrel panel, which features a Rockfibre core and pre coated steel rear skin, is fixed into glazed sections, improving the building’s energy efficiency by reducing the level of heat lost through the windows. The spandrel panels establish an integrated appearance around the windows and give an indication of the high specification of build and attention to detail inside the building.

Backing onto Archbishop’s Park and located close to London’s leading higher education institutions, Pound Field, is the latest in Downing’s portfolio of student accommodation properties.

The building provides 133 high-quality, sustainable, self-contained studio apartments. It also features commercial office space for local businesses, as well a residential courtyard, garden and outdoor terrace looking onto views of Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament.

Owned by Whitbread, the new 89-bedroom hotel based in West Brompton is a landmark opening for the company, which is currently working to expand its Hub portfolio, a new generation of compact, city centre hotels with contemporary room design.

Designers, Axiom Architects, specified EN13501 certified to A2-s1,d0 fire rated Proteus GL rainscreen cladding panels for the Hub by Premier Inn because of Whitbread’s uncompromising approach to safety in all aspects of the design. Whitbread’s policy is that all materials specified for its projects must achieve at least an A2, s1-d0 fire rating.

The façade panels were installed by Alu-fix (UK) Ltd and feature on the upper elements of the building and alongside glazed sections in an AGC Lacobel Cool White finish, which complements the crisp, contemporary design of the rooms within. The panels provide a contrasting finish against a light and dark grey brickwork exterior, which together creates a striking and aesthetically pleasing facade.

Proteus GL is an integrated modular rainscreen cladding system with an aluminium honeycomb core structurally bonded between a toughened back painted glass face and a lightweight metal rear skin. 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, with no visible fixings, creating a sheer, smooth façade.

During the design process, Proteus Facades worked closely with Axiom Architects and main contractor Gilbert Ash Construction in a collaborative approach to identify the most suitable cladding system that met the client’s requirements.

With fire safety being an important factor, it was significant to the project team that Proteus GL, was certified to EN13501 A2, s1-d0. At the same time, aesthetics featured highly in the selection process, with AGC’s Lacobel glass again being the preferred choice due to the crisp white finish.

Large Proteus GL cladding panels were specified for the upper elements of the building to accentuate the clean, contemporary design, creating a façade that wraps around the top storey. At 3400mm x 1450mm these panels, along with the 1590mm x 2140mm window panels (the widest that can be specified), push the limits of architectural possibilities. Utilising the expertise of the inhouse technical and fabrication teams Proteus Facades devised an ingenious method of being able to fulfil this important design requirement.

Ongoing maintenance was an additional factor considered by the client’s facilities team, with the designers ultimately specifying Proteus GL because glass is a completely inert material that provides a virtually unlimited lifespan with minimal maintenance. Proteus GL facades are also lightweight, being up to 40 percent lighter than a typical glass structural screen, ideal for reducing weight loadings on the overall structure and creating a development with a lower carbon footprint.

Proteus GL is available in any RAL colour or can be digitally or screen printed to create a bespoke finish, offering architects a wealth of design options. It is colourfast, resists UV rays and fully tested and compliant with CWCT Standards. The glass is painted on the reverse, so wont flake or scratch.

Situated on Lillie Road, opposite the Earls Court development site, and with access to the District Underground Line and the London Overground Line, the Hub by Premier Inn West Brompton joins a number of new Hub developments in central London, providing an ideal place for a layover when staying in the city on business or for pleasure.

Photography by Michael Whitestone Photography

Located in the Mayor of London’s Old Oak & Park Royal Opportunity Area, Holbrook House, designed by award-winning architects SimpsonHaugh and Partners, is part of the Downing Students portfolio of properties.

The £80 million development contributes to the Greater London Authority’s (GLA) ambitious plan to completely redevelop the area by creating thousands of new homes and jobs over the next 30 years. It is also the first student accommodation scheme in London that meets the new GLA Supplementary Planning Guidance (SPG) on affordable rents for student accommodation.

Constructed by Downing Construction and subcontractor Dane Architectural, Holbrook House is divided into three sections. The taller and more monolithic of the three multi-storey buildings features A2 rated, Proteus GL rainscreen cladding panels in five different shades (RAL5003, RAL5004, RAL5007, RAL5023 and RAL240 70 15) which graduate from a dark blue/grey to light blue/white.

Arranged floor to floor in a thin vertical format, the ombre-style finish of the panels helps minimise the visual impact of the structure, enabling it to carefully blend in with and reflect the city skyline and its surroundings, whilst acting as a standalone marker for the nearby junction of Victoria Road and Wales Farm Road.

The smaller of the three blocks at Holbrook House features natural terracotta tiles, with a cruciform pattern applied expressing the internal functionality, while the second, central section features bright reflective metal panels. All of which, along with the Proteus GL rainscreen cladding panels, were chosen to complement one another whilst providing a robust façade that offers some protection against the elements.

Proteus GL is an integrated modular rainscreen cladding system with an aluminium honeycomb core structurally bonded between a toughened back painted glass face and a lightweight metal rear skin. 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, with no visible fixings, creating a sheer, smooth façade.

As glass is a completely inert material, Proteus GL provides a virtually unlimited lifespan because it is rust and corrosion free. It is also lightweight, being up to 33 percent lighter than the closest glass rainscreen system.

In addition, as the system is available in any RAL colour or can be digitally or screen printed to create a bespoke finish, Proteus GL offers architects a wealth of design options, is colourfast, resists UV rays and fully tested and compliant with CWCT Standards.

Holbrook House features 497 contemporary, affordable student residencies ranging from three bedroom, two bathroom shared flats to self-contained studio apartments. The building also includes a range of community facilities including a gym, common room, and games area. Landscaped roof terraces provide students with an outside space to relax, whilst retail space is provided at ground level adjacent to the London underground station entrance.

The new development is the second Downing Students building in North Acton, alongside ‘The Lyra’ on Portal Way, which offers 209 studio apartments for students studying at local institutions.

Showcasing the façade is a combination of new Proteus GL Back Painted Glass and Proteus HR Rimex Stainless Steel Cladding in Granex M1A.

Lewisham Southwark College (Phase 1) was announced winner of the AJ Retrofit Awards – Higher Education category and shortlisted in the RICS ‘Design Through Innovation’ Awards.

Proteus GL and Proteus HR were specified by Richard Hopkinson Architects in collaboration with Platform 5 Architects for the entrance surround, rear elevation and stair well cladding on the £40m redevelopment project.

The Proteus cladding now announces a new point of arrival at what was an existing 2,795m² ‘run-down’ college building. Whilst outwardly transforming the college, the Proteus cladding also gives a nod to the innovative and vibrant learning spaces inside.

This is achieved by a striking saw-tooth façade design on the larger, rear elevation that utilizes a combination of the Proteus HR Rimex stainless steel cladding and Proteus GL back painted glass in RAL 9010

Proteus GL accentuates the saw tooth design on the return face of each saw tooth by embellishing the subtly muted tones characteristic of the highly polished, reflective glass surface.

The Proteus HR stainless steel cladding also serves a practical purpose by creating a brise soleil around the window pods, offering a distinctly different and attractive silvery, granular surface that accentuates the back painted glass and other glazed areas at Lewisham Southwark College Waterloo Campus.

Further intrigue to the saw tooth design was added by a glass fin cantilevering off the SIPs panel on the nosing of each crank. Proteus worked with the design team at Platform 5 Architects and the fin manufacturer to ensure that all the separate elements integrated during installation.

Marcus Todd from Platform 5 Architects, said: “The back painted glass from Proteus adds another element of intrigue to the façade, projecting muted tones in a modern interpretation of a saw-tooth design. It worked extremely well with the stainless steel cladding.”

He added: “The technical knowledge of the Proteus team meant we were confident that we could deliver our vision for this project as a workable, cost effective solution on site for the client.”

Main contractor at Lewisham Southwark College was Balfour Beatty and the Proteus cladding was installed by DCP Ltd.

Proteus GL is an integrated modular back painted glass rainscreen cladding system that is offered in any RAL colour. Alternatively, it can be digitally or screen printed in contemporary design options. Proteus GL has no visible fixings, creating a sheer, smooth façade. It is colourfast, resists UV rays and fully tested and compliant with CWCT Standards

Lewisham Southwark College Waterloo Campus provides specialist teaching spaces, recording studios, music rehearsal rooms and a suite of dance studios.