2000sqm Optima FC Concave Panels in PPC Aluminium has been used on the brand new Carnegie School of Sport, along with 600sqm of flat Optima FC in PPC Aluminium and 1200sqm Optima FC in Anodised red etched panels.
Optima FC concave rainscreen panels were designed to suite the architect’s vision – something unique and something far from a flat facade. To assist in the decision making process, a mock-up of the panels were manufactured with three different gloss levels and positioned outside of Sotech’s training showroom to show the reflectivity.
The main feature of the striking new sport’s building is the 60m indoor running track viewing box, encased in United Anodisers red anodised Optima FC panels. The anodised red on red etched panels are contrasting tones to replicate muscle fibres under the microscope. The five red anodised patterns were chosen to replicate a section of muscle under a telescope.
In addition to the unique patterns chosen for the anodised area, the PPC concave panels had their own challenges. The panel faces were rolled to create the concave feature, and deep folded side returns added to give the panels a square back. This meant a straight lined and levelled rail system could be used to hook the panels on, and resulted in no additional fixing time compared to a traditional flat panel system.
Providing a brand and iconic home for the Carnegie School of Sport, the £45m project provide a focus for the School’s undergraduate, postgraduate and research and enterprise programmes, and will also act as a hub for elite athletes, sports and industry partners. The project has also been awarded BREEAM Excellent Rating.
The new and improved Optima FC+ system has just been launched, after successful fire testing to BS8414 and BR135 Classification, Optima FC+ is safe to use on high rise buildings in conjunction with Euroclass A1 and A2 – s1, d0 fire rated materials.
Sotech has always been at the forefront of testing in the rainscreen facade industry, fire testing since 2006. For more information on how Sotech can help with large scale fire tests click here.
Sotech Specification Manager Charlie McLaughlin ‘I have been involved with this project from early design stage. It is a credit to everyone within Sotech that we were able to embrace all the aspects of a complex design, work through and rationalise them, without compromising the end result. This was a great team effort from all parties, resulting in a spectacular building we can all be proud of’.
Project name: Leeds Beckett University, Carnegie School of Sport Location: Leeds Sector: Education Installer: Sheppard Robson Main Contractor: Galliford Try Architect: Sheppard Robson Finish: United Anodisers, Red
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