Corus Colorsteels 'in the pink' after groundbreaking design project

Corus Colorsteels has played a major role in an award winning design project by internationally acclaimed architect, Will Alsop!

They supplied powder coated profiled steel cladding – in shocking fuscia pink - for the roof canopy and soffit of a unique local authority nursery building on the tough Stonebridge Estate in Harlesden, which has been acclaimed as “a ray of light in a dark corner of London.”

The Crosskeys-based firm is already recognised as the UK’s leading supplier of innovative pre-finished seels, but their new flat-bed powder coating line now gives architects something they’ve previously never had – the ability to design buildings with pre-finshed metal facades in virtually any colour they want, with no minimum order quantity required.

David Williams, Development Manager for Corus Colorsteels, explains: “The architectural practice, Clearcut Services, was very specific about the exact ‘one off’ pink colour required – something that, until recently, had been prohibitively expensive for small quantities. “We’re one of the few companies in Europe who can do this and might never get asked for that colour again, but we were able to provide vibrant pink-red RAL 4001, as well as extreme formability with Zero-T material.”

Fawood Children’s Centre features a deep, overhanging roof formed with a mix of opal, polycarbonate roof cladding and powder coated profiled steel cladding – on galvanised steel purlins and a portal frame. Multi-coloured Plexiglass lozenges were placed on the building’s outer façade to cast rays of coloured light on the interior floors, while inside the children play in adapted sea containers, a Mongolian yurt and willow walkways.

Mike Morgan, managing director of Hampshire-based Clearcut Services, says: “ Corus Colorsteels were always very confident about their ability to supply the paint system, but they were also able to manufacture the cladding sheet which helped ensure a swift delivery on what is a very niche project.

“I went to them with our initial plans and they were able to offer a complete solutions package that took in consultancy, roll forming and powder coating. After that, the process of ordering, scheduling and production went very smoothly and I was extremely impressed with their professionalism.”

Mr Williams adds: “Powder coating has finally made it cost effective to add these signature touches that make such a difference - and we also hold stocks in different thicknesses, ready to be formed and sent straight to site. This reduces cost and adds real value, as well as providing a much slicker supply chain for the customer base.”