250 City Road, London - Sotech Optima

16,000m² of Sotech’s Optima FC+ Hook-on Rainscreen System and bespoke façade detailing, fabricated from Alpolic A2 aluminium composite material, have been installed across two landmark residential towers at 250 City Road in London.

Designed by Foster + Partners and developed by Berkeley Homes, 250 City Road is a prestigious mixed-use development that redefines contemporary urban living. The two towers – known as Blocks 6 and 7 – form part of a wider regeneration project, combining striking architectural form with cutting-edge façade engineering.

Sotech’s Optima FC+ system was selected for its flexibility, precision, and proven compliance on complex high-rise projects. Tested to BS 8414-2:2015 and classified under BR135, the system provides assured fire performance and is fully compliant with current UK regulations.

The project also incorporated bespoke façade components, developed by Sotech’s in-house engineering team to achieve the architect’s distinctive stepped geometry and refined joint lines. The system’s mechanical fixing method, hook-on design, and drained-and-ventilated cavity provided the ideal foundation for the premium finish specified.

Panels were fabricated from Alpolic A2, a non-combustible aluminium composite material offering exceptional rigidity, flatness, and long-term durability. Its mineral core provides enhanced fire resistance while maintaining the smooth, architectural finish sought by designers and developers alike.

The chosen material and coating combination ensured consistency across the full 16,000m² façade, meeting both aesthetic and performance expectations in one of London’s most demanding building environments.

Having previously collaborated with both Berkeley Homes on other large-scale developments, Sotech’s project team entered the scheme with established trust and open communication channels – key factors in the project’s overall success.

Despite shifting site priorities during construction, Sotech’s design, production, and technical departments worked in close coordination with Berkeley Homes to maintain programme alignment and deliver the façade on time and to specification.

The project’s scale and design intricacies required detailed engineering and precise sequencing across two independent towers. Working in tandem with the façade contractor, Sotech ensured accurate interface detailing, minimised material waste through optimised panel layouts, and provided responsive technical support at every stage.

The adaptability of the Optima FC+ system enabled seamless integration across multiple façade zones, accommodating variations in geometry without compromising fire safety, ventilation, or aesthetic intent.

Testimonials:

“Having previously worked with the Berkeley Homes team on other projects helped immensely. Knowing these guys were involved in such an important project with a great team ensured that the project in the whole went smoothly.”