Archetech Issue 24 2016 | Page 101

Architects: Lemay Exterior cladding: Ceragres Photo credits: Stéphane Groleau www.ceragres.ca/en/ www.lemayonline.com/en/ Dirt does not stick to the cladding, so it can be easily cleaned with water. Therefore, rain works as a natural cleaner, allowing owners to significantly save on energy and maintenance costs. An Environmentally Friendly Cladding The use of ventilated cladding for a transport centre is even more interesting when the material contributes to the improvement of surrounding air quality. When exposed to light, a catalyst featured in the enamel gets activated and cleans the surrounding air. Polluting molecules such as nitrous oxide emanating from the buses naturally deposit on the ceramic surface. Activated by sunlight, the catalyst uses surrounding oxygen to transform these polluting elements into harmless components such as mineral salts, which will then be released into the air. This is the result of HT Technology, technology that cleans and deodorizes air simultaneously. This action is the equivalent of planting trees around the building. The Stinson Transport Centre received LEED Gold certification for its contribution to the highest standards of sustainability. Page 101 - Archetech The manufacturing and elements of ceramic cladding make it perfectly suited for harsh Quebec winters. The ceramic panels used for the exterior cladding go through a hydrophilic treatment that provides surprising self-cleaning and antibacterial properties.