A stunning mirror-finish skin of stainless steel is helping to protect the corporate archive of one of the biggest names on the British High Street. The new purpose-built home of the M&S Company Archive at the University of Leeds features extensive use of Proteus Engineered Facades’ HR rainscreen cladding system which combines all the benefits of a Modern Method of Construction with the beauty of “bronze”.
The £6million Michael Marks Building on the university’s Western Campus follows the golden rule of architectural design “Form follows function”, combining within the façade the high strength, low maintenance and excellent corrosion resistance of stainless steel with a visually contemporary finish. Broadway Malyan were looking for an envelope system that would give the variety of panel sizes required for their design as well as flatness, a mirror finish and long-lasting aesthetics, with Proteus HR’s lightweight aluminium honeycomb core providing a perfectly flat finish coupled with very large panel sizes and recessed joints.
Marks and Spencer “shadow” architects Darnton EGS said: “The project uses various innovative measures to achieve its BREEAM and sustainable status. However, the rainscreen façade system is a unique feature. The architects worked closely with Proteus Engineered Facades to develop a way of using the cladding systems in such a 3D manner. “The panels are very robust but lightweight, thanks to the aluminium honeycomb core structurally bonded to the lightweight metal skin. The façade consists mainly of two modular size panels, with dimensions carefully designed to suit metal sheet sizes.” A stunning mirror-finish skin of stainless steel is helping to protect the corporate archive of one of the biggest names on the British High Street.