Situated at the northern edge of a newly developed retail park near Bristol, the Abbey Wood Travelodge was conceived as part of the company’s new Budget-Luxe line of hotels. The design needed to reflect an elegant and stylish exterior to meet the high aesthetic standards of this innovative concept.
“CUPACLAD fitted perfectly with the elevation strategy for the hotel and helps to convey the aspirations of this new hotel typology,” commented Juan Lopez, Associate Architect at Stride Treglown, the company that was in charge of the design.
“We wanted the two interlocking volumes of the hotel to be easily distinguishable and the dark, uniform colouration of the natural slate – combined with its rough texture and the size variation created by the Random system – really helps to set it apart from the coloured aluminium panels of the other volume.”
The project has been a success from the very start, and being shortlisted for the Façade Awards UK 2024 is a clear testament to the quality of work delivered. Despite the building’s seemingly complex appearance, CUPACLAD’s straightforward installation system ensured a smooth and efficient process, making it both easy to install and highly effective in achieving the desired aesthetic.
Tim Gray, Director of A2O Facades, the company responsible for installation, said:
“We have been operating for over 20 years and this project is the first time we have installed natural slate. CUPACLAD, with its innovative fixing system and ease of install and versatility, is a highly fire-resistant rainscreen system using a natural material with incredibly resilient qualities”
Architects rarely need an excuse to specify natural materials, but when the project managers visited our quarries to witness the extraction and production processes firsthand, they gained a deeper understanding of the sustainability behind CUPACLAD.
Seeing the meticulous craftsmanship and environmentally friendly practices up close reinforced their confidence in choosing natural slate for this project.
Bruce Gray, from Marshall Building Contractors, concluded: “Not only has the natural slate façade added a striking and unique aesthetic to the project, the ease of installation and support from CUPA PIZARRAS played a key role in keeping the project on track. We are very pleased with the final result and would definitely recommend natural slate rainscreen cladding for future projects.”
PRODUCT USED: CUPACLAD
CUPACLAD 101 RANDOM is synonymous with creativity and gives any facade an original design that makes the most of the flexibility and natural durability of our slate.
Other case studies
More than 250 roofs are installed per day around the world with our slate.
Natural slate CUPA PIZARRAS has been highly valued by architects and has been selected for important projects within many cultural and historic buildings of interest, modern architecture or the construction or renovation of traditional housing.
Other case studies
More than 250 roofs are installed per day around the world with our slate.
Natural slate CUPA PIZARRAS has been highly valued by architects and has been selected for important projects within many cultural and historic buildings of interest, modern architecture or the construction or renovation of traditional housing.
If you have any questions, our experienced team on slate is at your disposal.
