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.