Altolusso Stands Proud

The design of the building forms a three-leaf clover with three sweeping curvaceous wings emerging from a central service and access core. Whilst this eye-catching design enhances the aesthetic appeal of the development, in the light of such sweeping curves, it was crucial for the appearance that a high level of flatness and smoothness be maintained through the correct selection and application of the render.

Following technical support and guidance from Weber the architects, Holder Mathias Architects, specified the weber.therm XM (expomesh) system with a weber.plast TF (troweltex) finish coat for the Altolusso development. The installation was carried out by Joyner PA Cymru Ltd.

weber.therm XM (expomesh) is a lightweight External Wall Insulation system which incorporates a thin-coat polymer adhesive render and mesh cloth reinforcement plus, in this instance, a 6mm thick mineral render topcoat. The system protects the building by keeping the structure warm and stable.

In the case of Altolusso, the entrance portion of the existing Victorian facade was preserved to create a two-storey foyer as a central focus with the major new building construction clad with weber.therm XM.

The external character of a building is also given high priority and a wide rangeof decorative render finishes are available to provide a building with its unique apperance. A popular trend at the moment, particularly with commercial and residential developments, is the use of primary colours to give buildings strong and dynamic appeal.

The weber.therm XM(expomesh) system was also successfully specified at the Landmark Place Residential Development, similarly located in the heart of Cardiff City Centre. This scheme made use of strong contrasting render colour finishes in red and blue with white, to enhance the architectural features and form within the design. The quality of the application achieved at Landmark Place had a strong bearing on the architects' decision to specify the same system for the Altolusso Development.

The finish coat on Altolusso is weber.plast TF (troweltex) an acrylic based, composite, decorative render finish which will not only give an attractive finish but also provide the building with durability and resilience against all harsh and exposed weather conditions. As any specifier would testify, the practical durability of a render finish system is absolutely vital but not the only consideration; the aesthetic appeal a render provides is also instrumental in gracing a building with a certain attraction - with Altolusso the desired effect successfully achieved was one of grandeur and luxury.