Archetech Issue 45 2019 | Page 98

PROTEUS CLADDING HITS THE HIGH NOTES AT CHESIL LODGE PROTEUS An innovatively designed new retirement complex in Winchester has become the latest state-of-the-art development to feature bronze rainscreen cladding from Proteus Façades. with local architect’s Design Engine, where it was envisaged that the building should be developed to be as sympathetic to its surroundings as possible. Chesil Lodge is a £16 million Extra Care facility that provides contemporary style homes for local residents of Winchester aged 55 and over. Proteus HR TECU Bronze was specified because the material’s ochre, brown and red tones perfectly complement the brickwork colour to create an aesthetically pleasing yet unobtrusive façade. Working alongside Main Contractor Galliford Try, Proteus Facades fabricated the panels, which have a lightweight aluminium honeycomb core structurally bonded between two thin gauges of metal, with the outer veneer in this case being the specified TECU Bronze material. This rainscreen system minimises weight loadings on the underlying structure whilst helping the panels achieve near perfect optical flatness, strength and rigidity. The cladding panels were installed by MK Facades. The development, commissioned by Winchester City and Hampshire County Council, features striking Proteus’ HR TECU Bronze rainscreen panels on the upper levels and traditional Winchester red brick on other elements. During the design stages a series of workshops were held between Winchester Council and designers PDP Architecture in conjunction