Aliva UK is a finalist for this year’s Surface Design Awards on Thursday 9 February, following the creation of a stunning gold anodised aluminium façade for Grafton Street NHS Car Park in Manchester.
The expanded mesh façade, which also included a screen printed design at ground level, was developed to turn a hospital parking hub into an eye-catching local landmark. It has been selected as a finalist in the ‘Public Building Exterior Surface’ category.
Aliva UK designed and manufactured the building’s façade, in addition to creating a bespoke installation system which overcame several technical challenges to achieve architects Sheppard Robson’s vision.
As well as delivering visual impact, the façade met stringent requirements for a minimum 75% air flow through the building. The bespoke fixing system also ensured the façade stood out far enough from the building to allow for appropriate deformation of the safety barrier in the event of a crash.
The Surface Design Awards recognises examples of progressive design and the use of innovative surfaces in projects both in the UK and internationally.
Launched in 2013, the Awards have grown quickly both in stature and the number of entrants. Aliva’s Grafton Street project is among 33 to have been named as finalists for the 2017 awards.
Aliva UK Managing Director James Ormerod said: “We are thrilled to be named as finalists in the Surface Design Awards. The Grafton Street project proved challenging from a façade engineering perspective and Aliva is incredibly proud of the final result which not only met the technical requirements of the project, but also delivered a stunning visual finish.”
The award winners will be announced at a ceremony at the Business Design Centre in London as part of the Surface Design Show.