Rockpanel helps create harmony at Merstham Park School

McAvoy were the main contractor and responsible for the design and delivery of the 1,6850m² secondary school. The firm is one of the UK and Ireland’s market leaders in the precision manufacture and delivery of modular buildings. Over the last few year’s their work has created spaces for more than twenty thousand students. 

McAvoy’s Head of Digital, Lorraine McMorrow, “Rockpanel Chameleon incorporates a crystal layer that, depending on the perspective and the sunlight has a surprising effect on the colour perception. The colour variation of the panels fits in with the seasonal changes in the rural context, creating a positive visual impact with the landscape.” 

Adding contemporary appeal  

Rockpanel Chameleon has been used to great effect arranged in vertical rectangles of varying lengths and widths interspersed with tall windows to achieve a sharp, contemporary aesthetic. Both the existing brick buildings and the new block share a simple architectural language in terms of windows and doors which are framed in grey with matching rainwater management fittings and external lighting, which help to successfully marry the elevations into a cohesive whole. 

Specialist Nottingham-based Marksman Roofing and Cladding carried out the installation of around 1600m2 of Rockpanel Chameleon facades at the school. Marksman Director Travis Merryweather, “We find Rockpanel easy to work with, which was useful on this project where speed was of the essence. Installing panels to precisely align across the whole structure was exacting but has resulted in a building which looks nothing like the traditional perception of modular construction. We are looking forward to using Rockpanel on another up-coming school development.” 

Chameleon – a facade for all seasons 

Rockpanel is made from a core of naturally occurring and sustainable volcanic basalt rock mixed with an organic binder to create a stone wool, which embodies superior durability and fire resilience, making the resilient low maintenance facades UV resistant and insensitive to moisture and temperature changes, ensuring they look great throughout their life of 50 years or more.  

Changes in natural light have the effect of altering the surface colour of this unique material, enabling Rockpanel Chameleon to transform any facade into an inspiring, ever-transforming canvas. The phenomenon is made possible by a unique crystal effect layer. At Merstham the colour changes from luminescent green through to a bronzy brown. Many other colour variations are also available within the range.  

Ann Bone, Area Sales Manager at Rockpanel: “Rockpanel Chameleon allows specifiers the freedom to explore new possibilities safe in the knowledge the results will satisfy the most rigorous fire safety standards, making it an extremely popular choice for both new build, renovation or retrofit across all sectors and for high-rise structures. The breadth of surface finishes offered by Rockpanel is hugely impressive. In addition to Chameleon, it encompasses Natural Woods, Metals, Stones, and the Colours collection. The surface can even be routed to create bespoke patterns, illustration or even a company logo.” 

The panels are lightweight and in addition to being supplied to exact dimensions, can be easily cut on site without the need to seal edges – making installation quicker, saving time and money. They can also be treated with specialist ProtectPlus coating to further safeguard them from the elements and vandalism. At Merstham, breathable and waterproof ROCKWOOL RAINSCREEN Duo Slab insulation was used. This BBA approved insulation is made from the same fire-safe stone wool used in the manufacture of Rockpanel cladding and adds thermal comfort while reducing the transfer or external airborne noise.  

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