Contemporary curved Kalzip façade system creates architectural highlight

Creating the architectural highlight of the exciting New York Square building, a part of the SOYO Leeds– the newest neighbourhood in Leeds city centre - Kalzip aluminium façade systems have unusually been used vertically to form the main elevation topped off with an interesting curved eaves detail to the roof.

Kalzip’s 65/400 Profile AluPlus Patina was specified for the main elevations of the project, with a unique curved eaves detail.

The AluPlus Patina was produced with a Bronze B40 which was selected for its aesthetic along with the product durability.

SOYO, a £300 million project, aims to establish a vibrant new neighbourhood in the cultural quarter of Leeds. This transformative development is reshaping the landscape along the Headrow, enriching the city's skyline. Situated in close proximity to prominent and innovative institutions like Leeds Playhouse, Leeds College of Music, BBC Studios, and Northern Ballet, SOYO stands at the heart of Leeds' creative hub.

Paul Cox, Sales Director at Axis Group, building envelope contractor on the project, said: “The architectural intent was a mixture of many façade elements in numerous materials and finishes to provide a stunning building which provides 515No apartments. Blocks E & F are the first phase of the scheme with Blocks B & C currently under construction providing a further 331No apartments.

Material choices were of the highest standard resulting in two of the most eye catching high-rise buildings in Leeds. The Kalzip façade was chosen to provide a contrast to the brick, stone, and aluminium rainscreen elements on the project. It is universally acknowledged that these contracts create two aesthetically impressive buildings.

The sheets were supplied in 12m lengths with joints at every third-floor level of the 56metre high building. Installation tolerances were extremely tight due to the top section being curved and the product needing to align with glazing elements throughout the façade, and the system was incredibly accurate to meet these tolerances.

Adrian Whitefoot, Technical Services Manager at Kalzip said: “The logistics and handling of the Kalzip sheets as they were long sheets fixing vertically, proved to be challenge offering them up to the wall. We also had to consider the maintenance and cleaning of the windows and the façade had to be capable of abseiling down., To overcome this challenge, hardrock insulation was introduced behind the Kalzip to support the system for when these works are carried out.”