The Elements, Almondvale Shopping Centre, Livingstone

Architect: BDP Architects
Main contractor: Miller Construction
Cladding contractor: (External) Lakesmere (Internal) Grainger Building Systems
Type of works: supply and installation of Sotech Optima MAS extruded aluminium baguette rainscreen cladding system.

Sotech has proved to be just the ticket for a recent car park development in Scotland after the leading manufacturer created a bespoke extruded aluminium baguette system that would successfully replicate the appearance of traditional terracotta.

Clad in terracotta tiles, the new multi-storey car park at Almondvale Shopping Centre boasts baguette screens between each floor to provide natural ventilation and daylight. To help reduce cost, installation time and the structural load of the building, Sotech worked closely with contractors Lakesmere to create the Optima MAS baguette sunscreen system which, constructed from lightweight aluminium, boasts a unique five-component textured PPC finish that gives the look and feel of terracotta.

As well as being more cost-effective, Sotech’s Optima MAS baguette sunscreen is also fully recyclable and can, with a module measuring 2.7 by 1.8m and weighing just 40kg, be factory assembled for faster fitting on site.

The highly flexible Optima MAS baguette system is available in three textured paint finishes, from dark and light shades of traditional Terracotta to Anthracite Grey and can be assembled to meet most specific design requirements. All conventional RAL finishes are also available.