The Natura panels in through-colour Anthracite were specified by HEAT Architects for the £1.8million refurbishment and extension of two 1950s buildings at the heart of the urban regeneration of the historic St John’s Square in Clerkenwell.
HEAT’s brief from developers Iconic was to maximise return on investment through designing high-specification apartments to the upper three storeys of the “complicated and tight” buildings while providing a unified and contemporary urban street presence.
Sub-contractor LSC installed the Natura cladding from Marley Eternit in a horizontal shiplap format over a lightweight timber frame on the new facades and to the new-build penthouse with its steel superstructure and lightweight timber infill panels.
HEAT, who have used Marley Eternit materials before, on applications such as semi-sheltered soffits and fire-rated applications, detailed the Natura with polyester powdered coated trims or angles that contain the individual panels. These form a neat vertical line and provide a division between changes in material to render and window sections.
Associate Elizabeth Crawford said: “Natura was suggested by one of the team consultants and was specified for its clean lines and contemporary aesthetic. It should maintain well with little maintenance, which makes it ideal, as there is limited access to the facades of the building without the use of a high-reach vehicle”.
“It helps to provide a contemporary feel to the project while also remaining sympathetic to traditional methods of construction. It has a semi-industrial feel which is an appropriate reference to the original context.”
She added: “Although careful consultation with the local authority was required to gain approval for the external remodelling and cladding, they supported the refurbishment. The united building looks fantastic and the works have been a welcome addition to the local context.”