CUPACLAD® FAÇADE PROVIDES LUXURY FOR NEW TRAVELODGE HOTEL

CUPACLAD^® 101 Random natural slate rainscreen cladding has recently been installed on a new Travelodge hotel, near Bristol. Shortlisted for the Façade Awards UK 2024, the project prioritised a premium finish and quality design. As a result, CUPACLAD^® represented the smart choice, delivering the timeless finish of natural slate alongside market leading fire safety and environmental credentials.

Located just north of Bristol, the Abbey Wood Travelodge was designed by architects at Stride Treglown as one of the company’s new Budget-Luxe Hotels.

The façade finish was considered important, as it plays such a fundamental role in first impressions of the hotel. As such, Stride Treglown designed a striking exterior that encompassed two linked volumes, each clad in a contrasting yet complementary materials.

CUPA PIZARRAS’ CUPACLAD^® 101 natural slate rainscreen cladding was selected it aligned with the design team’s ambitions for the project, whilst delivering an A1-fire rating at a competitive price. This was partnered with aluminium panelling in three shades of green for the second volume, offering contrasting colour vibrancy.

“CUPACLAD^® fitted perfectly with the elevation strategy for the hotel and helps to convey the aspirations of this new hotel typology,” commented Juan Lopez, Associate Architect at Stride Treglown. “We wanted the two interlocking volumes of the hotel to be easily distinguishable and the dark, uniform colouration of the natural slate – combined with its rough texture and the size variation created by the Random system – really helps to set it apart from the coloured aluminium panels of the other volume.”

CUPACLAD^® 101 Random uses three different sizes of natural slate to create a more varied and visually diverse façade. However, despite the appearance of increased complexity, CUPA PIZARRAS’ simple installation process guarantees a smooth and easy installation.

Tim Gray, Director of A²O Facades, the company responsible for installation, said: “We have been operating for over 20 years and this project is the first time we have installed natural slate. CUPACLAD^®, with its innovative fixing system and ease of install and versatility, is a highly fire-resistant rainscreen system using a natural material with incredibly resilient qualities. A²O is always on the lookout for value engineering opportunities and CUPACLAD^® fits the bill for working towards low carbon value engineering.” Utilising an aluminium subframe and pre-drilled holes in the slate, CUPACLAD^® was designed for a hassle-free installation.

Juan added: “Architects rarely need an excuse to specify a natural material but in this case, we had an added incentive, as CUPACLAD^® enabled us to use slate in an alternative way to the traditional pitched roof. Sustainability was another element that favoured the choice of natural slate.”

Unlike ceramic or metal alternatives, natural slate requires no heating or chemical application during production. As a result of this, and its sustainable business practices, CUPA PIZARRAS has achieved Net Zero certification, EcoVadis Gold and BRE global verification. These sustainability credentials were a key consideration in the specification process, delivering a low carbon façade system.

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