The resurgence of stainless steel in construction has seen it take many forms. Its long life expectancy, high corrosion resistance, visual aesthetic and overall sustainability all combine in its favour.
The John Lewis Store and Cineplex formed part of a major city centre regeneration scheme in Leicester. A UGIBRIGHT® mirror finish was specified for the 34,000m2 façade, ‘pleated’ at different scales to diffuse the large area into a series of smaller reflective surfaces. The mirror finish brings colour and changing patterns to its surface throughout the day providing an overall design which challenges the conventional blank envelopes which typify such buildings. The exterior ‘curtain’ concept provided has been extended internally to elements such as matching screen curtains.
UGIBRIGHT stainless steel provides a highly smooth surface to which contaminants cannot easily attach themselves. With none of the attendant underside corrosion problems associated with other hard metals it requires no protective underside coating.
