Architect: Building Design Partnership (BDP)
Type of works: supply and installation of Marley's Natura Pro fibre-cement cladding.

Marley’s Natura Pro fibre-cement cladding has been supplied to enhance the facade of The Rock in Bury.

The new development, which is designed to transform the town, officially opens later this year and aims to become one of the top 100 retail venues in the UK.

Natura Pro used at The Rock features Marley’s new Pro coating, a smooth silky matt surface based on a hardened varnish and applied by a special process using ultraviolet light. The coating also protects against various types of staining, including graffiti produced by common aerosols and other paints, which can be eliminated by graffiti removers.

The Natura Pro cladding panels were installed in a shiplap style on what will be one of the tallest structures on the mixed-use development of apartments, shops, restaurants and leisure activities.

The designer’s vision was to add volume and depth to the structure. This was helped by the horizontal shadow lines created by the shiplap style. Feature walls of block-effect cladding, again using Natura Pro added to the building’s visual appeal.

The Architect, Building Design Partnership (BDP), specified Marley’s Natura Pro in Anthracite because it is a through coloured panel. Cream White, Ruby and Natural Grey are also through coloured panels with all other colours in the Natura Pro range having either an Anthracite or Natural Grey core.

Specifying a through coloured panel meant that they could be cut to traditional shiplap board sizes without the exposed core detracting from the visual appeal of the completed building. In addition, fibre-cement cladding has the added advantage over timber cladding because it requires minimal maintenance and is rot-resistant.

John Doyle, Project Director at BDP, said: “Natura Pro from Marley provided us with much more design scope because the through-coloured panels and Pro-coating allowed us to create a tough, visually engaging facade. The completed effect is simply stunning and the shadow lines, created by the shiplap effect, means the building is constantly changing with the light conditions.”

The cladding was installed by Longworth Metal Services using Marley’s secret fix system. This created a smooth unbroken surface ensuring it didn’t detract from the distinctive arrangement of the panels.

For more information on Marley's Natura Pro, telephone 01283 722588, or email cladding@marleyeternit.co.uk. Alternatively, visit the website at www.marleyeternit.co.uk.