Guernsey Flats Go Thoroughly Modern With Trespa

landmark high-rise apartment block that was once thought to have outlived its usefulness has been given a new lease of life and a fresh appearance, thanks to Trespa® Meteon® cladding panels.

Built in 1963, Cour du Parc is 11 storeys high and the tallest building on the Channel Island of Guernsey. Only five years ago it stood empty of tenants and was considered to have reached the end of its useful life. Then an imaginative refurbishment and upgrade was given the go ahead by the States of Guernsey planners.

The result is an eye-catching structure where it’s previously uninspiring dun-coloured brickwork has given way to vibrant Trespa® Meteon® cladding panels in two shades of light green.

“Visually the improvement to the building and the ability to detail openings and vary colour to enhance vertical features were key to choosing Trespa,” says Phil Roussel, Development Manager of Guernsey Housing Association, which carried out the transformation in partnership with the States of Guernsey Housing Department.

“The new panels have rejuvenated a tired old building and brought it up to date for the 21^st century,” says architect Ricky Mahy whose practice, Create, masterminded the new design.

Of crucial importance was protection against the elements. By using a ventilated façade system, the continuous air flow draws air through the cavity between the cladding and the inner layer of the exterior wall aiding in the removal of heat and moisture from rain or condensation.

“On the subject of environmental impact, using a ventilated rainscreen cladding system allowed us to increase the amount of insulation, thereby improving the energy efficiency of the building,” says Mr Roussel. “There were less expensive options we first looked at but, with knowledge of other use of Trespa® on the island both at Sir Charles Frossard House and Oakvale School, we were satisfied that the product was capable of withstanding the harsh coastal environment to provide a long -term solution without high maintenance costs,” he adds.

The refurbishment project reconfigured space internally to provide 50 flats where previously there had been 42 and also made provision for an additional lift. The end result has been a welcome increase in social housing units for the island.

Says Mr Roussel: “GHA is a long term owner of this property so we wanted something without a high maintenance requirement. Trespa® Meteon® panels have good resistance to dirt, so we are confident the building will look good for many years.”

Trespa® Meteon® is a decorative high-pressure compact laminate (HPL) with an integral surface manufactured using the company’s unique in-house technologies; Electron Beam Curing (EBC) and Dry Forming (DF). It is the company’s leading family of architectural panels for façades and exterior applications, created – as with all Trespa products - in close collaboration with architects, designers, installers, distributors and end-users.