RMIG City Emotion

Distinctive aluminium exterior cladding, Toffee factory

Distinctive aluminium exterior cladding from RMIG incorporating an embossed representation of the Ouseburn River, is helping give the former Maynard's toffee factory in Gateshead a fresh lease of life.

The former toffee factory's £6m regeneration project was led by Newcastle City Council and has seen the derelict premises transformed into a hub for creative and digital businesses, providing contemporary office space as part of a drive to encourage creative graduates to remain within the region once they complete their studies.

Designed by Newcastle-based Xsite Architecture, their aim was to retain and exploit the qualities of the factory's existing Victorian brickwork structure whilst sensitively extending the building to provide 2,600sqm of office space.

As the building's exterior features a significant amount of bold color, the architects chose the neutral metallic finish to contrast panels as required for the extended meeting room boxes and stair tower to contrast with the with green, red and pink cladding used elsewhere.

While the matt finish provides a semi-reflective surface to catch the light and reflect changing weather conditions, the panels also provide a robust and corrosion resistant façade as the cladding spans the full height of the four storey building.

Together with the factory's original Victorian chimney, the stair tower cladding, acts as a centerpiece to the courtyard and features a representation of the Ouseburn River rendered in a series of convex and concave dome shapes, which run the full height of the cladding to add visual interest to an otherwise plain elevation.

All Pictures: Office building ""Toffee factory"", Newcastle City, England
Architect: Newcastle-based Xsite Architecture
Design year: 2011