Refurbishment and Restore Issue 16 2019 | Page 63

ROOFING & CLADDING Aluprof Unitised Systems Transforms Existing Belfast Building Unitised curtain wall is normally associated with new high rise building, but in Belfast, Aluprof systems are being used to help transform an existing office block with a completely new building envelope. Located at Wellington Place in the heart of Belfast, the Merchant Square Office Development will offer over 200,000 sq.ft. of Grade A office accommodation. The existing seven storey office block was designed by McAlister Armstrong & Partners and completed in 1975. The new £18.5 million redevelopment will add two further floors and will consist of a new Corten steel and aluminium high performance facade. The external envelope was originally specified in traditional stick construction curtain wall, but Clarke Facades worked with Aluprof to put forward a superior offer using a unitised option. Crucial to this specification change with Like Architects of Belfast and their client, the Oakland Group, is that the proposal had to fall within the original facade budget. This was achieved using Aluprof’s MB-SE75 Capped Unitised Curtain Wall system. With the rise in use of unitised curtain wall systems in medium sized projects, the option of unitised systems is becoming a real alternative to a traditional curtain wall, especially as costs are becoming much more competitive. www.aluprof.co.uk Formica Group brings pre-packed Scandi-style cladding to UK shelves Formica Group, a leading global manufacturer of surfacing products continues its innovative approach to rainscreen cladding, with the introduction of new VIVIX® Lap high performance exterior weatherboard cladding. VIVIX Lap is a modern alternative to wood and fibre cement plank cladding, providing great looks, quick and simple installation and requiring little ongoing maintenance. Aimed at residential and commercial audiences, including installers and self-builders, VIVIX Lap planks can be applied to everything from new build housing and renovation projects, garden offices, sheds and garages, to commercial business parks and retail outlets. Pre-cut VIVIX Lap planks are applied in an overlap arrangement, providing a classic cladding style, with a modern twist. Website: www.formica.com Email: [email protected] Tel: +44 191 259 3512 VIVIX Lap is a complete weatherboard cladding system. ABANDONED HOSPITAL GIVEN LUXURIOUS LEASE OF LIFE A former 19th century hospital in Stafford has been restored to become a collection of luxurious apartments. Previously “St George’s County Asylum”, the grade II listed building on Cooperation Street opened in 1818 and housed 1,000 patients before finally closing in 1995. Following 20 years of neglect, the building was in disrepair with crumbling floors and walls, until work started in 2015. The building has now been transformed by Shropshire Homes, into a collection of one, two and three-bedroom apartments and renamed St George’s Mansions. The house builder was keen to preserve the history of the hospital and maintain the Georgian architecture. To ensure this, they worked closely with leading roof tile manufacturer Russell Roof Tiles, who has extensive experience in restoration projects. The manufacturer supplied 20,000 of its Lothian tiles in Slate Grey to re-roof the building. The modern material replicated the look of the building’s original natural slate tiles, whilst providing the sustainable benefits of concrete. The Lothian tiles form part of Russell Roof Tiles’ Natural Range - an expanding selection of thinner leading edge interlocking concrete tiles. When laid, the tile gives the appearance of a small format tile with the commercial benefit of a larger format tile. The technical team at Russell Roof Tiles has spent many years creating an authentic collection of roof tiles which replicate original tiles, but with all the properties that you would expect from modern materials. Russell Roof Tiles is a leading independent roof tile manufacturer providing products for leading UK house builders and high-profile social housing and commercial projects, where sustainability and eco-credentials are the utmost priority. www.russellrooftiles.com Telephone: 01283 517070 @russellrooftile www.refurbandrestore.co.uk - 63