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Rockpanel has been chosen for the exterior cladding at the new three storey Houstone School which forms part of the Kingsland Campus in Houghton Regis, Bedfordshire, UK. The school will cater for up to 200 pupils and is managed by Advantage Schools Trust which also operates three other schools in the area.
Completion of the building works had been delayed in part due to the remarkable discovery of Roman, Neolithic and Bronze Age settlement activity at the site. The resulting archaeological finds and records will become part of the collection at a local museum.
The perfect match
Concertus Design and Property Consultants were architects for Houstone School. Like many other specifiers, the Ipswich-based practice has chosen Rockpanel for multiple projects. It is preferred for its fire-safe versatility and performance characteristics plus the fact that it can be matched to almost any colour, which for refurbishments often means non-conforming panels can be replaced with a matching Rockpanel design, simplifying, and speeding up the planning process.
RG Carter were the main contractor for the project with leading roofing and cladding specialist Vertec responsible for the installation of the facades. Vertec’s Contracts Manager Steve Shurrock spoke about the project, “The panels were supplied pre-cut, optimsed for maximum efficiency, and were fixed with self-coloured rivets to a Plasterstrip Fastframe Helping Hand brackets and rails system. We’re very pleased with the finished result, which looks incredible.”
At Houstone the facade incorporates 160mm ROCKWOOL Duo slab insulation. Used in conjunction the correct substrate including vertical and horizontal fire breaks, the Rockpanel / ROCKWOOL combination can form a robust A1 fire classification rated installation.
Elevating and accentuating
The ground floor at the school is faced in deep warm grey brick with large minimalist dark grey framed windows which line through in vertical columns with those on the upper floors. Euroclass A2 Rockpanel external cladding is installed to the upper elevations of the three-storey block in alternating layers of slim and deeper rectangular shapes arranged brick on brick style, which accentuates the structure’s horizonal lines, serving to enhance its shape and setting within the landscape. Three surface deigns were chosen: White Aluminium from the Metals collection, RAL Grey White 9002 and a selection from the Chameleon range.
Chameleon is a unique product which seamlessly changes hue depending on how light hits it and from which angle it is viewed. This phenomenon is made possible by a special crystal effect layer which will last throughout the product’s life. At Houstone School the colour spectrum changes from brown through green, but other colour variations are also available. The range is available in gloss and a matt finish.
Many reasons to choose Rockpanel
Rockpanel’s Darren Gormer, “Concertus really liked the transforming quality and vibrancy offered by Chameleon. In addition to its aesthetic qualities, a ventilated facade can have several advantages over other building techniques. Obviously, they look great but the constant air flow also helps create a healthy indoor climate by insulating against solar heat while also reducing the impact of exterior noise. Clearly, they are lighter than many alternative building materials, resulting in reduced construction costs.”
The breadth of design options available across the Rockpanel ranges allow designers and specifiers complete creative freedom. The panels derive their unique properties from the stone wool used in the manufacturing process. Bonded with an organic binder it delivers a non-combustible facade which is virtually maintenance-free and insensitive to moisture and temperature changes. Rockpanel’s ProtectPlus coating further protect against the elements and ensures the facade as good as the day it was installed for decades to come.
Project information
Project name: Houstone School, part of the Kingsland Campus
Location: Houghton Regis, Bedfordshire
Architect: Concertus Design and Property Consultants
Products: Rockpanel Metals (White Aluminium), Rockpanel Colours (RAL 9002), Rockpanel Chameleon.
