Zinc shades on York UniversitY’s new compUter science development

piGmento® colour sensation at

york university

A stunning combination of VMZINC

QUARTZ-ZINC® and PIGMENTO® verti-

cal interlocking façade panels have

been specified by architects BDP in

their design of the £80 million Uni-

versity of York campus expansion at

Heslington East. The first phase of the

new campus comprises 4 Departments

- Computer Science; Theatre, Film and

Television; the Management School

and the Law School.

VMZINC’s range of pre-weathered PIGMENTO® colours have been used to stunning effect in the creation of the University of York’s new Computer Science Complex. Architects BDP have created a striking yet subtle effect for the façades of two new buildings in the first phase of the campus development.

University shows its true colours

The new Computer Science Department is housed in two

wings which were built overlooking the existing lake and

embrace a courtyard garden. They have undergraduate and

postgraduate software laboratories and two hardware labo-

ratories in which the Human-Computer Interaction research

group undertakes much of its work. To the south, facing the

lakeside, is the research wing accommodating individual

and group offices, punctuated by break out spaces.

A fully glazed atrium connects the wings at all levels while

a glass link from the atrium leads to the seminar and com-

mon room pod which nestles in the centre of the courtyard

as a garden pavilion. This organic timber structure acts as a

counterpoint to the zinc clad wings that surround it.

BDP was invited to masterplan and design the individual

buildings, the cladding inspiration for which was explained

by their project architect Andrew Lees. “Our vision for the

design was prompted by the rural surroundings and specifi-

cally by the lakeside location. We felt that elevations should

reflect colours which stemmed from flora such as bulrushes

though we were not initially familiar with the Pigmento

colour range. We subsequently realised that their subtle

shades would enable us to create a colour palette which

was visually analogous of the grey, green and red created

by such tall, multi-stemmed plants”.

3 metre long panels in 375 mm and 400 mm widths were

used to suit the structural modules with a continuous venti-

lated air gap behind the boarding of the entire façade.

Initially the cladding was specified as coloured fibrous ce-

ment panels. During the detailed design stage, BDP worked

with the contractor to assess alternative products. The

VMZINC product proved to be an economic solution with

the additional benefit that installation could take place

during the colder months of the year without reliance on

silicone bonding. The Architects are particularly pleased

with the way in which the zinc responds to changing light

conditions and changing angle of the facades of the multi-

facetted Computer Science building. Andrew Lees added, “A

particularly satisfying feature of the zinc panel is the crisp

shadow gap that is achieved between the adjacent panels.

This gives the skin of the building a textured sophistication,

and the ability to form a continuous “wrap” around both the

straight and curved sections of the façade”.

The last word goes to Elizabeth Heaps, Pro-Vice Chancellor

of the University who commented, “The buildings are ab-

solutely stunning. They are so striking. Aesthetically they’re

just brilliant”.

Umicore marketing services Uk ltd.Four Rivers HouseFentiman Walk - Hertford,Hertforshire, SG14 1DBTel.: +44 1992 822288

www.vmzinc.co.ukvmzinc.uk@umicore.com