Whitefriars Student Accommodation

The architects wanted to create a strong and clear entrance to the development that consisted of two separate accommodation blocks, yet still tie the two buildings together. Therefore, their project concept incorporated a tall colonnaded frontage with high open canopy. Similarly, a saw-toothed elevation on the inward-facing facade was designed to capture light through the windows at all angles. These interesting design features give the development several sharp, dramatic corners, which provides depth and allows the project to stand out amongst the city’s skyline.

It was important to the architects and the planners that the colour palette used harmonised with the recently completed neighbouring academic building. Similarly, they were looking for a system that allowed them to incorporate some texture and variation in the colour, yet still provide a high quality finish and be suitable for a building of this height.

On top of the brickwork details, the architects were looking for a metal system that could combine with the brick slip cladding to add distinctive features around the windows of the buildings. The Anvil aluminium rainscreen panels provided the perfect solution, as they could be installed using a recessed joint fix system between vertically stacked windows, highlighting the vertical elevation of the buildings and adding depth to the facades. The architects were looking for splayed panels in a colour that would contrast nicely with the red brickwork. After consultation with our team, they chose an anthracite grey colour in a polyester powder-coated (PPC) finish, providing a striking and contemporary finished look.