Architect: Arora Developments, West Drayton
Installer: Siac, Stonehouse
Type of work: Supply of QuadroClad Glass architectural rainscreen façade system

Arora International was the first company in the UK to benefit from a new type of rainscreen panelling system. Hunter Douglas’ QuadroClad Glass system has been specifically developed to provide architects with greater design flexibility, whilst dramatically reducing overheads.

Developed by Hunter Douglas Sun Control and Facades, QuadroClad Glass combines Hunter Douglas’ highly successful aluminium honey-comb rainscreen technology within a unique window frame system. QuadroClad Glass allows almost any type of material to feature within the design of a panel, helping to offer architects greater choice when it comes to adding the finishing touch to a building project.

The first building to benefit from the groundbreaking technology was the 120-bedroom extension to Arora’s existing hotel at Gatwick Airport. Hunter Douglas was chosen to complement the original building and, through the use of QuadroClad Glass, architects were able to incorporate Hunter Douglas aluminium panels alongside specially designed flush-fitted, single-glazed sections, to create a seamless finish to the building.

Single-glazed QuadroClad Glass panels were placed in front of the building’s solid concrete walls and interspersed with traditional thermally broken windows and double-glazing, helping to create a continuous ribbon run of glass around the perimeter of the building.

The combination of glass and aluminium panels, integrated through QuadroClad Glass, meant that the thermal insulation properties of the system were retained, whilst helping to enhance the proportions of the building.

Andrew Lee, General Manager of Hunter Douglas Sun Control and Facades said: “For buildings like the Arora International Hotel, the decision to feature QuadroClad Glass demonstrates how Hunter Douglas products can now be used to create a powerful aesthetic effect, without compromising the architect’s original vision. There is a growing demand, throughout the construction industry, to use a variety of materials across the finish of a development and through the launch of QuadroClad Glass, we have succeeded in creating a system that is limited only by the architect’s imagination.”

He added: “The success achieved at the Arora marks a radical shift in the evolution of rainscreen solutions, and I’m confident that many more developments across the UK will adopt this highly innovative system.”

Stephen Williams, Architect, Arora International Hotels, said: “We chose Hunter Douglas for the original building at Gatwick, and we’re very pleased with the high quality finish that the system offered. When it came to extending the development, we wanted to ensure that the materials we used could not only complement, but also enhance the existing building.”

“The real strength of the Hunter Douglas system is the ability to integrate different materials, without losing either the overall impact or thermal performance of a building. On our Gatwick hotel, single pane glass panels were used to provide a more cost-effective way to cover the concrete walls, but crucially, the thermal performance of the adjacent double-glazed windows were unaffected. I am delighted with the results and with the added flexibility that the package offers; architects across the UK will benefit from the almost unlimited opportunities to stamp their own personal mark on a development.”