Case Study

Abbey Wood Travelodge

STOKE GIFFORD, BriSTOL

 

The 85-bed Abbey Wood Travelodge, see videois one of the first three ‘Budget-Luxe’ premium hotels nationwide, a new line of more stylish hotels tapping into the M4/M5 business market near Bristol city centre, the UK’s largest MOD office and the University of West England,

Travelodge’s ‘most radical transformation to date’, Budget-Luxe was developed following the success of the TravelodgePLUS budget chic format and the findings of their largest consumer study, which concluded that style is one of the three priorities craved by modern budget travellers. 

The hotel design by Stride Treglown is made up of two interlocking volumes. Sotech Optima TFC+ aluminium panels, through-fix cassette rainscreen, offer “visual vibration” with a randomised pattern in green beige, olive grey and green grey, playing off against the monotone slate rainscreen. 

Slate is A1 fire-rated, highly resistant and available in lower minimum quantities that other custom cast cladding systems. Slate is one of the lowest embodied carbon rainscreen systems and this system is sourced from a carbon neutral certified supplier. So on top of affordability, it fits the bill for carbon value engineering.

Abbey Wood Travelodge is the first time A²O has installed a slate facade, a modern evolution of the mansard roof. The Cupaclad 101 system was simple and straight forward to install.

Abbey Wood Travelodge is a finalist at Facade Awards UK 2024shortlisted for “Best use of a rainscreen using ceramics, glass or stone”.

MARSHALL BUILDING CONTRACTORS

The natural slate rainscreen has been a surprise success of this project.

Thanks to the simple installation process, there were no issues. The ease of installation played a key role in keeping the project on track.

This was also facilitated by the use of the Revit model, which was enabled by the excellent coordination between the designers, engineers, suppliers and subcontractors.

The building looks fantastic. Little hiccups on site were dealt with immediately and working with A²O in the future along with Jonathon would be a pleasure. 

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Bruce Gray / Paul Johnstone
Construction Manager / Site Manager

Challenges

The Architect was very keen on optimising the use of digital modelling and BIM, including the use of REVIT families for the 2 main rainscreen systems. Sotech provided aluminium panel Revit families.

The original design specified cast components, however the manufacturer’s minimum quantity made this prohibitive. A fire resistant alternative was required within cost plan constraints.

This is the first time A²O has installed a slate facade, so preemption of any issues with installation was essential for smooth and consistent progress. 

Window design, with the windows inset in the slate facade, was a challenge, requiring custom manufactured pods.

Inclement weather was a challenge, with the six months on site being among the wettest on record. The installers could often only fit in half-days and had to travel from Birmingham.

Delays were caused by two other parties on site, required A²O to have to return to site when certain areas had already been all but completed.

The client was looking for a more stylish look, in response to their customer survey for visitors to the local business and university hub. 

Solutions

A²O’s BIM champion astonished the Architect with his passion for Revit and created the slate revit families. The model allowed for optimisation of the panel and slate layouts and designing out waste.

The supplier proposed slate as an alternative. Not only was it viable, it has also proved the surprise success of the project. The slate is A1 fire-rated, highly resilient and, at the same time, affordable.

A²O organised a slate joint CDP for the architect and facade designers, leading to more accurate scheduling, keeping the project on track.

The prefabricated window pods were designed to completely close off the window openings, acting as head, jamb and sill. 

The A²O installers turned up day after day, including half days, working in all weathers and in parallel on 3 facades, to keep to programme despite the difficulties.

The works progressed as per programme with any delays mitigated by the closing working relationship between all the project team. 

The monochrome slate elements bring a slick feel to the hotel facades, setting off the branding which looks clear and impactful from afar.

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