A facility that trains healthcare professionals of the future has become the latest project to benefit from cladding panels from Proteus Facades.

The new £15m ‘mock hospital’ at Nottingham Trent University’s Clifton Campus will help train healthcare professionals in a realistic hospital setting, including hospital wards, consultation and counselling rooms, and even lifelike patient manikins to give students the experience of working with a variety of injuries.

Pick Everard architects specified Proteus HR 1.0m Coil Pre Anodised Aluminium for the entire external element of the new Heath and Allied Professions Centre. The cladding panels were supplied in a mix of Bronze B40 Satin and Bronze B40 Brushed finishes.

The shade variation across the facade is created by the Satin and Brush effects on the base metal being applied before the anodising, creating a sublime effect that adds interest and visual appeal. The subtle bronze hues also embellish the natural surroundings of the building, whilst the semi reflective Satin finish adds further intrigue – when used for the soffits it has the effect of visually elongating the large vertically framed glazing elements upwards and outwards at night, accentuating the futuristic feel of the space.

Architects at Pick Everard had originally envisaged coloured stainless steel, however following presentation of a range of budgetary options by Proteus, it was decided that an anodised finish would offer a similar type of textural change across the elevation. At the same time, the coil pre anodised aluminium still achieves the life expectancy required and with minimal facility management requirements.

As part of the complete facade solution, the cladding wraps into the soffits on the front of the main building using the same panel system, with the addition of a flashing cill in identical bronze finish. This integrated approach extends to the other elevations, including Proteus manufactured jamb, head and cills flashings for pocket windows in matching coil pre anodised aluminium bronze.

This attention to detail from the architectural team, delivered through an integrated facade, creates a homogenous palette of materiality, and was one of the reasons why the project was shortlisted in the 2022 Facade Awards for Best use of a Rainscreen System using Aluminium.

Proteus HR is an integrated, lightweight, high strength modular rainscreen cladding system with a honeycomb core that offers an optically flat panel. It is available in a wide range of materials and finishes, including aluminium, zinc, stainless steel, copper alloys and various other options. The Proteus HR system meets the requirements of BS476: Parts 6 and 7, therefore achieving a Class 0 rating as classified by building regulations.

Ilkeston-based Advanced Roofing detailed and installed the facade at Nottingham Trent University and worked closely with Proteus throughout the project.

Pick Everard national design director, David Shaw, said:

“The architecture of the new development has been designed for maximum visual impact on arrival to the campus. We wanted to ensure this new addition to an evolving campus would be complimentary but also distinctive both externally and internally.”

Nottingham Trent University’s new Heath and Allied Professions Centre was procured by main contractor Henry Brothers Midlands through the Major Works Framework and designed by Pick Everard Architects.

Along with creating a “world class” teaching space it provides a welcoming gateway building to the campus, and in the words of the architects “the external facade treatment and quality materials provide aesthetic interest.”