As a listed building protected by English Heritage, it was essential
that the redesign by ADP architects retained as many of the
building’s original features as possible, including the copper
Terpsichorean female figures or ‘dancing ladies’, which were
restored and positioned on top of two redeveloped Cupolas.
Alongside this was the addition of a bold extension featuring
Proteus SC perforated TECU Patina, which was applauded by the
judges when ADP’s vision for Spanish city secured a RIBA North
East Award 2019.
ADP Architects specified TECU Patina for Spanish City, a copper
material that features the natural green patina from the outset, as
it created a beautifully aged aesthetic that complements the ‘old’
copper finish of the dancing ladies.
The homogenous pattern featured on the Proteus SC perforated
cladding covers the entirety of the new extension at Spanish City,
making it difficult to discern the position of the different floors and
giving the structure a monolithic presence that is able hold its own
against the imposing dome on the original building.
Choosing round perforations or ‘holes’ was no accident, it creates
a contrast with the right angles of the surrounding cityscape, but
mirrors the internal layout. A defining feature of the building is
its extremely complex geometry, in fact only four rooms have
walls in a square format, every other space is curved or a polygon,
including the impressive rotunda which the panels were designed
to meet.
The Proteus SC TECU Patina perforated copper cladding panels
were fixed over extensive glazed areas at Spanish City, so both
sides were visible by people inside the building and from those
outside. This presented an engineering challenge because the
architects envisaged large perforated panels due to the sheer size
of the façade (larger cladding panels on large facades can look
more visually striking), which can require thicker gauge metal.
Working with ADP architects Proteus devised a rear supporting
aluminium PPC framing system that was discrete and avoided
having to increase the thickness - and cost - of the copper material.
The outcome was that it enabled the panels to be designed to
meet the maximum optimisation of material, whilst meeting the
challenging geometry of the project.
THE HOMOGENOUS PATTERN FEATURED ON THE
PROTEUS SC PERFORATED CLADDING COVERS THE
ENTIRETY OF THE NEW EXTENSION AT SPANISH CITY.