Refurb Projects August 2017

SCHOOL BUILDING
Great performance at Bristol Grammar
Proteus HR cladding in TECU
Brass and TECU Bronze
materials have created a
striking, expressive façade at
Bristol Grammar School’s new 1532
Performing Arts Centre.
The Proteus HR TECU Brass and
TECU Bronze materials were used for
the external envelope of the new
performance hub.
Being manufactured from copper
alloys means that the TECU materials
from Proteus will weather over time,
subtly changing the façade’s
appearance as it develops a tough,
maintenance-free and beautiful
patina.
1532 Performing Arts Centre, the
year being when the school received
its royal charter, comprises a new
build auditorium and associated
facilities that are linked to the
school’s existing Elton Road Block.
The architects specified Proteus
HR TECU Brass and TECU Bronze
materials for the rainscreen panels
on the performance hub because its
honeycomb core creates a
lightweight façade, minimising
weight loadings on the underlying
structure, whilst helping the panels
achieve near perfect optical flatness.
These lightweight, strong
properties of the Proteus rainscreen
cladding panels provided an
effective way of created the
counterbalanced visual on this
development where the hub appears
to be cantilevered from the main
building. This elegant, and at first
impressions, gravity-defying design
is supported by only two discreet
columns.
The management team at Bristol
Grammar School also liked that fact
that the subtle weathering of the
TECU Brass and Bronze materials
would complement the same natural
process that occurs on the local
stone used on nearby buildings on
campus.
This subtle matt surface on the
rainscreen cladding panels will
gradually develop an oxide layer
that will protect the building from
rain, frost, wind, UV rays and other
external elements. The process brings
with it striking colour variations
through an entire range of brown,
green and brown-violet tones that
change depending on the level of
natural light and time of year.
Ultimately, the TECU materials
will develop a robust patina that will
accentuate its distinctive character
and outwardly project the aim of
the school to improve and develop
its performing arts facilities. The
Proteus carrier system was used to
support the vertically arranged,
elongated cladding panels.
Proteus HR rainscreen cladding
systems are available in a wide range
of alternative materials and finishes
including steel, aluminium, zinc and
stainless steel. The rich diversity of
the TECU range of copper and
copper-alloy materials allows
unparalleled variety and highquality
aesthetics for architecture.
The company’s ability to
manufacture perfectly matching
roofline, window reveals and soffits
accentuate the striking, naturallyweathered
aesthetic.
The main contractor at the new
1532 Performing Arts Centre was
able to overcome the challenges
presented by the building being
located in the midst of the school
campus and with limited access.
Scheduling work around term times
to minimise disruption to the school,
Cladanco, the façade installer,
utilised its convenient Bristol base
and local workforce to assist in this
process.
To find out more about Proteus HR
rainscreen cladding panels and
other TECU materials, visit:
www.proteusfacades.com or call:
0151 545 5075
24 AUGUST 2017, REFURBISHMENT PROJECTS