StoVentec boards with a StoColor metallic paint finish have been used in the design of a unique new building which has revitalized part of London’s industrial heritage. Sto supplied the adjustable mounting grid, StoVentec R carrier boards, Stolit K render and a StoColor metallic paint finish for the external soffits of the Coal Drops Yard project in King’s Cross.
The Coal Drops Yard complex originally consisted of two adjoining Victorian coal warehouses. The design brief required the two disused buildings to be completely renovated, and brought together in a way which would create a new public space for the area. Rather than designing a traditional box structure which would clash visually with the existing buildings, project architects Heatherwick Studio of London created a design which extends the original form of the two roofs towards each other so that they meet to form a new upper storey, and a focal point for the development.
The two new roofs feature some 800m2 of upper level suspended soffits, for which Heatherwick Studio wanted a bespoke finish with a warm and metallic surface. This would blend with the character of the warehouses and would also shine as it reflected the light.
They worked very closely with Sto, who provided a variety of different samples with varying grain finishes and metallic colours. Sto’s knowledge and expertise were central to being able to identify the perfect solution and successfully translate the architect’s design into reality.
The StoVentec R system uses an engineered sub-construction which offers a high degree of adjustment, making it ideal for this type of refurbishment project where uneven substrates may be encountered. This also gives the system a high degree of installation flexibility, and this was a particular benefit for this project, as the redesigned soffits were required to follow a series of sweeping curves which are central to the new design of the two buildings. The StoVentec carrier boards are manufactured from recycled glass and can be factory formed to accommodate curves, whilst providing an excellent base for Sto’s acrylic render finish. This ventilated cladding system allows a continuous air flow to discharge any moisture that is present, and so enable the substrate to dry quickly and easily.
The boards were finished with Stolit K – a protective render which provides an attractive stippled finish. Stolit K is weather-resistant and extremely water-repellent, to prevent the growth of algae and fungus. For Coal Drops Yard, Stolit K was applied to create a coarse-grained surface which was then coated with StoColor paint in a bespoke metallic Platinum 4 colour. This allows the soffits to blend with the overall colour palette of the development, and makes an attractive feature for the design