Powdertech ‘Scorched Earth’ is the crowning glory of Belfast’s new ‘Paper Exchange’
Overview
The Paper Exchange is a stunning building situated in the centre of Belfast. Designed to house the most innovative and forward thinking of Belfast’s up and coming businesses, the design and name of the building pays homage to the city’s paper making history. Papermakers paid close attention to their craft, rotating each leaf to create fine-grained surfaces for a wide variety of uses. The embodiment of this craft and skill was known as 'the paper exchange'.
The Project
These office premises are to set a new standard for Northern Ireland’s infrastructure development, presenting a classy, attractive façade with a hint of something a bit different. As a consequence, specifications for all aspects of the build were detailed and rigorous. Other buildings in the locality had opted for Corten as part of their building envelope but a quick observation revealed that rainwater had done its usual damage, causing run-off and staining of surrounding materials.
A rust/corten-like powder coated finish from Powdertech Corby was preferable, offering stability of coating with water-induced no-run off and wide range of shades. The shade selected was Powdertech’s Evolution ‘Scorched Earth’, a unique patina finish. The project suffered some delay during the Covid pandemic but the specifications were checked and adhered to across a four-year period.
Powdertech pre-treated and coated around 2000sq metres of extruded aluminium cill profile, solid and perforated rainscreen cassette panels, capping and flashing in “Scorched Earth” . The Paper Exchange is an eye-catching building and emanates a sense of purpose and diligence which must transfer to its occupants.
Benefits of Powdertech Evolution/Rust finishes
- High performance weather resistance
- Leaves no residue or stain after rain or washing with water.
- A wide range of effects to reflect the patinas that occur naturally on metals
- Excellent visual and tactile detail
- Good edge coverage
- All powders are Qualicoat class 2
- Up to twenty-five-year guarantee.
- Powdertech’s flexible plant can coat a wide variety of shapes and sizes of architectural metal work and fabrications.
