Aliva UK has been named as a finalist for a prestigious prize in the Façade Awards UK 2022.
Aliva beat off strong competition to reach the final line-up with leading construction and fit out company Gilbert-Ash in the ‘Best use of a rainscreen system using glass or ceramics’ category, for its work on Elm House, the University of Brighton’s landmark new home for its School of Business and Law.
The award recognises excellence in façade design and promotes collaboration between product manufacturers and contractors.
The new six-storey school forms the centrepiece of a major redevelopment project taking place across the University’s Moulsecoomb campus.
Commissioned by architects Hassell, Aliva developed a tailormade system with a bespoke structure which could satisfy the technical requirements demanded by the building, with a façade design which pays homage to the character of the area.
The first of its kind in façade design, Aliva custom-designed a bespoke white terracotta tiled ceramic veil façade which takes its inspiration from starling murmurations over Brighton’s iconic pier.
To create the striking finish, six different types of white, handmade, geometric glazed tiles in matt, gloss and semi-gloss finishes were used.
A custom ceramic veil frame wraps around the building from the second level to support 3,120sqm of the bespoke tiles manufactured and supplied by Aliva.
Aliva Managing Director, James Ormerod, said:
“We are very proud to be through to the Façade Awards UK final along with our installation partner Gilbert Ash for this landmark project.
“Innovation sits at the heart of our projects and creating this completely bespoke solution, which has never been developed before, has been really exciting and required exploring traditional and new techniques.
“This is a landmark project for Brighton, providing a stunning new front door to the campus with a breath-taking effect. We hope to see buildings across the country embrace the pioneering types of terracotta systems we can deliver.”
Gilbert-Ash Project Director, Rodney Coalter, said:
“We are proud to see the façade design on this project shortlisted in the prestigious Façade Awards UK 2022. This was a highly complex project, full of challenging details and techniques, completed on time and to the highest standards against a backdrop of the pandemic and supply shortages.
“The teams on this project worked in a highly collaborative manner to deliver a first class and one of a kind building, fitting for a school steeped in over 175 years of history and academic excellence. These facilities will keep the University on a competitive level both nationally and internationally for years to come.”
Project Manager for University of Brighton/Fulkers Bailey Russell, Neil Heard-White, said:
“Elm House is the centrepiece of our transformed Moulsecoomb campus. It’s a stunning addition to the local cityscape and an important focal point for our students, staff, and visitors.
“As the flagship building on the campus, we needed it to deliver both functionally and aesthetically, and the bespoke façade developed by Aliva does just that.
“We’re delighted with the finished building and that Aliva and Gilbert-Ash have been recognised for their efforts with this nomination.”
The winners will be announced at a ceremony at The Midland Hotel in Manchester on November 4.