STUDENTS at a new accommodation complex have been given a lesson in rainscreen and tailor-made architectural fabrications.
Manufacturer Sotech supplied a range of its products to the £42m development Chettles Yard student accommodation in Nottingham developed by Opal Properties. Designed by Lewis & Hickey Architects, the building incorporates a number of ‘green’ features in both colour and design, including biomass boilers and rainwater harvesting.
Overseen by main contractor Ocon, Sotech provided its Optima TFC system in Alucobond 500 silver and Anthracite grey for external application. The TFC system comprises individual panels that are easily demountable for replacement or inspection, an important factor in robust student life.
The three-phase construction programme lasted 162 weeks with Sotech providing products over all three. The building has 1,063 accommodation units across seven blocks, 19,000 ft2 of retail space in six units, a 15,000ft2 store and seven further light industrial/retail units on a 10-acre site.
Optima TFC was developed as an economical alternative to a complete secret fix rainscreen. The manufacturer claims that while it is “the most economical rainscreen solution”, requiring discreet fixings in the vertical panel recess, the engineering of the system retains the benefits of a drained and ventilated façade.
Manufacturing techniques ensure there is no build-up of metal thicknesses at the cruciform joint. TFC is engineered to integrate with all other building façade elements such as windows, doors and louvres and all fixings are stainless steel.
Managing director John Egginton said: “This extensive project saw Sotech return for three separate phases of construction and at each point our independently tested products were more than up to the job.”
