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Accoya cladding was the material of choice for the refurbishment of the Slough Ice Arena
Slough Borough Council is investing more than £62m in regenerating leisure facilities across the borough with a view to getting more people more active, more often.
As part of this major programme the Slough Ice Arena has undergone substantial re-modelling, a significant aspect of which was the renovation of the arena’s facade, transforming it into a timber clad surface that would stand the test of time. Accoya was specified by GT3 Architects as the material of choice for the cladding on the grounds of its performance, reduced maintenance requirements and aesthetic properties.
“The recurring issue with raw wood cladding has always been its susceptibility to water ingress and rot, requiring frequent maintenance and care,” said Mark Gowdridge of GT3 Architects.
“Given the extent of cladding on the ice arena, we wanted a wood product that was natural, durable and sustainable. Most importantly, the client wanted a timber with virtually no maintenance and it couldn’t rot even in the wettest and coldest conditions. Accoya was our preferred wood, given its easy maintenance, long lifespan, 50-year warranty and exceptional environmental credentials. We are very pleased with the final result.”
Vincent Timber supplied more than 250m2 of Accoya for the project, and expert roofing and cladding company Angus Roofing Contractors refurbished the existing roof and clad the new elevations.
Different finished widths of Accoya – 42mm, 92mm and 142mm (all PAR eased edges) – were then used to create cladding modules, which Angus Roofing mounted onto timber battens, which in turn were mounted to an insulated composite metal carrier panel. In total approximately 1,100 linear metres of Accoya panels were fixed to the arena’s structure.
The finish on the Accoya cladding was a tri-colour Sikkens tint, applied to the timber lengths in-factory. Three different tint shades were used – light oak, medium oak and dark oak – to create a rich, textured aesthetic that would last for years to come.
Although coating Accoya doesn’t improve performance – it already comes with a 50-year guarantee above ground not to rot, warp or swell – it does help to maintain the desired aesthetic. Plus with Accoya’s dimensional stability, coatings last twice as long, reducing maintenance requirements and therefore associated costs.
Kebony completes retreat
A weekend retreat in Berkshire has been entirely clad with Kebony
Nestled beside the river on an island site in Berkshire, Heather Cottage is a privately owned weekend retreat designed by Spratley & Partners. The architects specified Kebony modified timber cladding for the exterior of the property, embracing the use of natural materials to create a modern, riverside home that blends seamlessly into the surroundings.
Positioned on a floodplain, Heather Cottage has piled foundations and is raised on concrete stilts 1.85m above the ground, supported by a steel frame. The unique angular design mitigates the risk of flood by combining two opposing blocks, which form the shape of a ‘T’, whilst facilitating impressive views overlooking the river. The sloping nature of the green roof, which gradually increases in height helps to reduce surface water run-off whilst minimising the visual impact of the house within the site.
Accessible by three staircases leading to the front door, external deck and utility room, the interior has been arranged across one level. The open-plan living, kitchen and dining areas benefit from fully glazed sliding doors set in a deep reveal to the south, which works to maximise light and provide shelter. Large windows look out over the river and a raised, cantilevered deck wraps around the house.
Heather Cottage has been entirely clad with Kebony, which has now weathered to sit comfortably amongst the trees.
Kebony was selected by the architects as it is sustainable, durable and requires no maintenance beyond normal cleaning, making it the perfect material for a property used primarily as a weekend retreat. After exposure to sun and rain the wood has developed a natural silver-grey patina, which helps the house to settle in its natural and tranquil riverside surroundings.
“Heather Cottage is an exceptional project which we believe fulfils its brief and suitably fits within the location of the site,” said Adrian Pye, international sales manager at Kebony. “The angular nature of this build successfully demonstrates Kebony’s ability to add interest to a property by changing the layout of the timber and utilising different lengths of the material.”
Trending well
Havwoods’ interior cladding is popular with specifiers looking to boost their environmental credentials
Havwoods may be more familiar as a flooring brand but in 2012 it started offering interior cladding as it wanted to extend its offering to its clients.
“Our cladding products are marketed primarily to interior designers and contractors,” said Tom Gardner, hospitality sales consultant at Havwoods International.
“The residential and bars and restaurant sectors tend to be the most active markets [for interior cladding].”
The majority of Havwoods cladding products are reclaimed timber, much of it from old barns and from locations as far afield as the US and Transylvania.
“Sustainability and recycling are huge trends across the industry at the moment, therefore any reclaimed products are trendy by default,” said Mr Gardner. “The rustic, natural look and feel of reclaimed wood is also trending.”
The company has introduced three solid plank cladding designs for 2019 – “Burn”, “Gully” and “Firth”. In addition, it is promoting its Shou Sugi Ban range. Available in seven distinctive wood tones, from mahogany and wenge hues to more vibrant accents of red, the ancient Japanese burning process accentuates each natural characteristic of the individual wood planks to create a unique finish for interiors.
One recent application of Havwoods cladding (and its flooring) can be seen at Avobar, a restaurant in Henrietta Street in London that is described as “an all-avocado dining concept”.
Taking its inspiration from the laid-back Californian aesthetic, the restaurant’s feature walls are clad in Havwoods’ reclaimed pine.
