The Lakesmere Group has been recognised by the International Federation for the Roofing Trade (IFD) for its remarkable facade work on the spectacular National Graphene Institute in Manchester. The complex contract was delivered by Lakesmere North and sister company McMullen Facades and has secured the top prize in the facade category of the 2015 IFD Awards. Lakesmere was named as the overall winner and was also nominated for its work on the Canary Wharf Crossrail project. The award ceremony was held on the 31st October in Dusseldorf, Germany.
The new state of the art research facility was commissioned by the University of Manchester and designed by leading architects Jestico and Whiles. It will play a pioneering role in the understanding of graphene which is being heralded as the world’s thinnest, strongest and most conductive material. The unusual envelope design of the building includes an ‘inner skin’ that has been created using a metallic silver cladding panel system with Schueco AWS60 window and Schueco FW 50+ structural glazing systems. Wrapping around this inner envelope is a striking polished black stainless steel perforated cladding package which provides a ‘veil’ to unite the two structures.
