Located in London, the Aloft ExCeL London is a 151,383-square-foot project designed by Jestico + Whiles, London. The hotel was developed by ExCeL London’s parent company, Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Co. (ADNEC), Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. The hotel was constructed by McAleer
& Rushe, Cookstown, Northern Ireland. Jestico + Whiles were given a clear brief: design the best hotel on ExCeL’s campus, create a gateway to the International Conference Centre, avoid any impact on the operation of the exhibition center and achieve an Excellent BREEAM (Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method) rating. Approximately 250 guestrooms were required, including 12 suites, along with a bar, res-taurant, lounge, snack bar, gym, pool, sauna, steam room, business center and meeting rooms. ADNEC required a very high quality of finish throughout.
required a very high quality of finish throughout. The building has a convex central spine containing bedrooms and the vertical circulation, flanked by two concave wings that house further bedrooms and corridors. These wings are clad in thousands of specially treated, highly reflective stainless steel shingles from Rimex Metals, Enfield, Middlesex, United Kingdom, creating the extraordinary effect of constantly changing color with the passing of the day. Rimex “Granex” stainless steel was specified to be treated with the Rimex “ColorTex” process to achieve a lively, dynamic finish and avoid a flat appearance.
In addition, the shingles were specified in the ‘6WL’ patterned finish, providing texture and physical relief to the individual shingles that heightens the visual interest of the façade further still. Forming approximately 45 percent of the total façade, more than 33,000 square feet of the shingle cladding was required. Rimex “Super Mirror” was selected for the cladding of the hotel porte cochere. The effect produced is a near-perfect mirror polish on stainless steel, creating a shimmering effect over the 182- foot length of the structure.
The central spine of the hotel has been finished with a bespoke, double-glazed cladding, which features a translucent ceramic frit pattern and solid back painted spandrel panels. Inspired by the illusion of depth seen in some of Victor Vasarely’s paintings, abstract horizontal stripes fritted onto the glass have been designed to emphasize the flow of the building. This creates an unusual interplay of movement and depth when combined with the undulating colors of the crescent wings. The façade contractor was Metallbau Früh, Umkirch, Germany. The façade consultant was Billings Design Associates, Dublin, Ireland.
Rimex Metals,
www.rimexmetals.com
