Sandtoft’s 20/20 interlocking clay plain roof tiles are adorning Hadlow Agricultural College’s new animal management unit at Faulkner’s Farm in Tonbridge, Kent. Specified by architects, Nightingale Associates, the tiles were selected to complement the surrounding countryside and its architecture which includes Kentish Red bricks and clay plain tiles.

Building work was undertaken to consolidate the farm accommodation, bringing the existing teaching accommodation on the site up-to-date and providing additional teaching accommodation to allow for future growth. The overall project provides a modern teaching facility for Hadlow College which sits comfortably in the context of the older surrounding buildings on the fully-functioning commercial farm.

Russell Hanly, Associate at Nightingale Associates commented: “Faulkner’s Farm is surrounded by green belt land and so we were keen to add to the landscape and to find a tile that reflected the local vernacular. The colours available in the 20/20 range were a perfect foil and we are delighted with the finished roof. In addition to the 20/20, we specified Sandtoft’s clay plain Humber tile for the unique design of the conical coast-house style roof vents in the same colour.

”The 20/20 not only delivered an aesthetic solution, it was quick and easy to install and also met our specifications for a green roofing solution as less material is used in these tiles in comparison to traditional plain tiles.”

Nick Oldridge, Sales and Marketing Director at Sandtoft, added: “The 20/20, from our New Generation range, is becoming a popular choice for architects as planners continue to demand natural roofing solutions.

“The 20/20 offers the planning friendly benefits of a traditional clay plain tile, but at a lower cost. In addition, the 20/20’s innovative single lap, open-gauge design can reduce installation times by up to 30%.”

The new animal management unit houses over 200 exotic species and contains teaching and practical training rooms as well as a lecture theatre rotunda.

For further information, please visit www.sandtoft.com