Located in Camberwell, South London, this residential refurbishment project focused on upgrading the building façade to support longterm performance, durability and visual renewal. As part of a wider external improvements programme, façade materials were carefully selected to meet modern expectations around safety, longevity and architectural quality, while remaining appropriate to the surrounding urban context.
Across approximately 2,400m² of façade, Valcan systems were specified to deliver a refreshed and contemporary external envelope. A combination of Vitradual® aluminium composite panels and Ceramapanel® fibre cement cladding was used to balance visual impact with the practical requirements of multistorey residential housing.
The Design Challenge
Façade renewal within the housing sector often requires a careful balance between extending asset life, improving performance and enhancing appearance, without introducing unnecessary complexity or maintenance burden.
For this project, the challenge was to redefine the building’s external character while ensuring the façade solution was robust and well suited to a multistorey residential environment. The design team sought a material palette that would be visually distinctive yet understated, contributing positively to the streetscape without dominating it.
Flexibility in colour choice, consistency across large elevations and proven durability were key considerations. In parallel, the façade systems needed to allow for confident detailing and installation, supporting reliable longterm performance and future maintenance planning.
Façade Solution
To meet these objectives, a complementary façade solution combining Vitradual® and Ceramapanel® was selected.
Vitradual® aluminium composite panels were specified in customer selected RAL green shades, providing defined areas of colour that establish a clear visual identity. The ability to specify bespoke RAL colours allowed the design team to tailor the appearance to the local context while maintaining uniformity and finish quality across the elevations.
This was balanced with Ceramapanel® in a “Bleached Cotton” finish, introducing a lighter, more neutral tone. The fibre cement panels help to soften the overall aesthetic, providing contrast with the coloured aluminium panels and breaking up larger façade areas to add visual depth.
Together, the materials create a layered, contemporary façade that combines the crisp appearance of aluminium with the more natural, textured qualities of fibre cement.
Performance and Durability
Performance considerations were central to the specification process.
Ceramapanel® fibre cement cladding offers strong dimensional stability and resistance to weathering, supporting consistent behaviour over time and making it well suited to residential environments where durability and reduced maintenance are priorities.
Vitradual® provides a lightweight, engineered rainscreen solution with excellent flatness, colour stability and reliable fixing performance. Used together, the systems allow for precise detailing around openings and interfaces, contributing to a high quality finish and predictable longterm performance across the façade.
Visual Impact and Outcome
The completed façade presents a confident and contemporary appearance. The green aluminium panels introduce a distinct identity, while the bleached cotton fibre cement panels offer tonal balance and refinement.
This carefully considered material palette enhances the building’s presence within its South London setting, delivering a modern residential aesthetic that remains contextual and understated.
Overall, the project demonstrates how thoughtful façade specification can support residential refurbishment by improving both appearance and longterm performance. By combining Vitradual® and Ceramapanel® across 2,400m² of façade, the scheme delivers a durable, cohesive solution aligned with the needs of modern residential housing.
Images © Valcan
- Log in to post comments