Cupa Pizarras’ CUPACLAD crowns Whiteleys redevelopment.
Cupa Pizarras’ CUPACLAD 101 Logic natural slate rainscreen cladding system has been specified for the redevelopment of London's Whiteleys department store.
The timeless aesthetic and A1 fire resistance delivered by the natural slate, provided the ideal solution for the project’s extensive new mansard roof. The project, led by Foster + Partners, seeks to restore the former glory of the London landmark by preserving the Art Deco elements of the original design, whilst providing modern facilities and amenities.
Completed in two phases in 1911 and 1927, Whiteleys department store was one of the country’s largest and most prestigious. However, with retail trends changing, its doors closed in 2018. The new mixed-use redevelopment – The Whiteley – will create 139 apartments, 20 new shops, cafés and restaurants, a public courtyard, a cinema, a gym and a hotel and spa.
Designed by Foster + Partners with Laing O’Rourke acting as the main contractor, the dramatic re-envisaging of The Whiteley required all but the Grade II listed façade to be demolished and rebuilt. The original design from the early 20th Century did not feature a mansard roof but with the need to increase the amount of floor space, it provided a historically appropriate solution that bridges the gap between the main body of the building below and the luxury penthouses above.
The inclusion of a mansard roof in the redevelopment needed to be carefully considered to ensure it met the latest regulations. Since the introduction of The Building (Amendment) Regulations 2018/1230 in December 2018, a mansard roof with a pitch of 70 degrees or more is formally classified as a wall. As such, it must meet the same fire safety standards as a wall and not roof, making traditional timber batten construction impossible. For this reason, CUPACLAD®, with its A1 rating, aluminium sub-frame and naturally fire-resistant slate, provided the ultimate solution, guaranteeing regulatory compliance whilst delivering the desired aesthetic.
Sustainability was also an important element of the project, with the design team aiming to achieve a BREEAM rating of ‘Excellent’. The environmental credentials of CUPACLAD® contribute significantly to this goal. Unlike other façade materials, no heat or chemicals are applied at any point during the production process and natural slate has a potential lifespan of over a century. As a result, the environmental impact of slate is considerably lower than other cladding materials. Cupa Pizarras has in fact already achieved Net Zero certification, EcoVadis Gold Medal and BRE Global verification of its EPD.
Simon Hope, CUPACLAD® product manager at Cupa Pizarras, commented: “We are so proud of this project; it really demonstrates the versatility of natural slate as a material. Not only does it meet the performance requirements for fire safety and sustainability, but CUPACLAD® natural slate creates a beautiful, timeless aesthetic that will help The Whiteley achieve the desired balance between the traditional and the contemporary.”
To find out more about CUPACLAD® and Cupa Pizarras’ range of natural slate, click here. And head to Material Source Studio Manchester, where Cupa Pizarras is a Partner to see its products up close.
