The Hardie Panel cladding solution from James Hardie is used to striking effect on Aber Bay Leisure Centre in Aberystwyth, designed by Nick Carroll Architects.

James Hardie is the world’s number one producer and marketer of high-performance fibre cement cladding and backerboard, and a market leader in Europe for fibre gypsum products. Our company culture is built on providing a foundation of ‘Zero Harm’, creating a positive impact in communities, and delivering environmentally-responsible innovative solutions to customers. Our durable, low-maintenance and innovative products are made from natural and sustainable raw materials, delivering endless possibilities of design and aesthetics to consumers.

A market leader in fibre cement, we are now on our seventh generation of fibre cement technology thanks to our extensive research and development. Fibre cement cladding is a durable, long-lasting and low-maintenance material that is used on residential and some commercial projects. It is a semi-rigid material that provides substantial protection, while still maintaining some flexibility. We are the world’s leading manufacturer of high-performance fibre cement products made from cement reinforced with cellulose fibres.

Being a trusted innovator and global industry leader, our products enable endless possibilities for designing exceptional buildings while also delivering protection and long-lasting beauty. We offer A2 fire-rated coloured facades through our Hardie Plank, Hardie VL Plank, and Hardie Panel products. Thanks to our strong investment in research and development for our ColourPlus Technology finishes, we can offer an industry leading 15-year warranty.

James Hardie recently featured on the stunning Aber Bay Leisure Centre in the heart of Clarach Bay, Aberystwyth. In collaboration with Nick Carroll Architects, we were able to provide a unique Hardie Panel solution for the project. Originally, a competitor product was specified at nearly three times the cost of the Hardie Panel, but the client chose to switch to James Hardie thanks to our cost effectiveness, A2 fire rating, and the robustness of our cladding solution. Hardie Panel provided a suitable rainscreen barrier to the elements which are unique to coastal locations, such as sand and salt air.

The façade specification considered colours that matched seashore pebbles as an inspiration. Three RAL colours were selected that best matched the pebbles prevalent along Clarach Bay and around six options of different colour combinations were put in front the client for their consideration. The client valued the input and versatility of the product and it remains one of the success stories of the project. Viewed from the beach, the three colours selected blend the natural pebbles and rocks with the façade of the building, giving the allusion that the building has been raised up out of Clarach Bay.

Due to the location of the building, the cladding had to deal with force 8 gales that would exert pressure and suction on the surface of the cladding. A fixing detail was specified that allowed each panel to flex under extreme conditions rather than screwing down every side as per normal installation details. The fixings required 44 micron stainless steel screws to resist C4 environment conditions (salt air) and the size of each standard panel was cut into quarters to allow for more manageable lifting and fitting into place. While designing the fitting and colour of each panel, the cladding was turned 45 degrees to produce a dynamic aesthetic. The flexibility of Hardie cladding facilitated this approach resulting in an exciting external finish.

Architect Nick Carroll expressed his delight of working with the James Hardie team on the project, saying “This development had its unique challenges and with the support of the manufacturer we were able to develop a solution that will withstand the salt, sea and air over time. We are certainly looking forward to working with James Hardie going forward and specifying any future innovations.”

James Hardie is one of the world’s leading manufacturers of building materials. Together with its European subsidiary, James Hardie Europe, the Group intends to expand its European business with high-performance building boards for interior applications and facades, and grow sustainably in the European market with the Hardie and fermacell brands. A broad product range offers the best opportunities for this. The market demands modern building materials that can be produced efficiently within a short time frame and without unnecessarily long drying times using easy-to-handle materials and time-saving processing techniques. With the Hardie and fermacell brands, James Hardie Europe has the right products and systems to meet market demands.

Contact Details
To find out more about Hardie Panel fibre cement cladding and/or request a sample, please visit the James Hardie website.