Sweeping curves and glittering bronze for environmentally-sustainable Moneypenny

Aliva UK has created an environmentally-friendly and visually stunning façade for the new £15m headquarters of Wrexham-based telephone answering firm Moneypenny.

The UK leader in exterior and interior finishes, Aliva crafted a clean, crisp façade that wraps in unbroken lines around the curved exterior of the building.

5,000sqm of Aliva’s Termok8 insulated render system delivered a finish that will withstand the worst of the British weather, imperative in the building’s semi-rural location. The British Board of Agrement certified render was chosen for its excellent thermal insulation credentials. The render’s self-cleaning and anti-algae staining properties will also ensure the building maintains its pristine finish for years to come.

Aliva also provided 500sqm of their Alucovering aluminium cladding in an anodised bronze colour matched to the architect’s specifications. This was used to create window detailing which adds an extra dimension to the building’s external appearance. AEW Architects selected Aliva to deliver every aspect of the façade design from panel layouts and window details, to the design of a bespoke façade fixing system for the building. The new headquarters will be able to accommodate 1,000 staff over three floors, allowing for Moneypenny’s planned business growth. The 10-acre plot includes nature trails, orchards and gardens, with the interior of the building featuring a treehouse meeting room and a ‘village pub’ for employees.

The building is designed to be as environmentally sustainable as possible. By using rainwater recycling, solar energy, ground source heating and natural ventilation for climate control, the company aims to be almost entirely self-sufficient. The thermal efficiency offered by Termok8 insulated render was therefore a key consideration in the architects’ selection process.

Phil Hepworth, Associate at AEW Architects said: “Aliva helped us achieve the effect we wanted for Moneypenny’s new headquarters by providing a high quality self-cleaning insulated render system that highlighted the smooth curves of the building and complimented its picturesque setting. The bronze aluminium cladding was selected to create window detailing and highlight the stunning picture windows of the building.”

Ed Reeves, co-founder and director of Moneypenny, who led the groundbreaking project, said: “Since we founded Moneypenny we have strived to set the industry standard for ‘excellence’. Our new head office once again raises the bar in achieving this and will offer clients an unrivalled service and environment in which to answer their calls, as well as provide our employees with a world-class space to work. The environmental credentials of the building were also important to us and Aliva’s insulated render not only creates the visually striking finish that we envisaged for the building’s exterior, but it also lives up to the energy efficiency standards that we wanted to reach.”

James Ormerod, Managing Director at Aliva UK, said: “We were delighted to be selected to design and supply the façade for this stand-out project. The crisp, unbroken lines of the render create sweeping curves that attract the eye, while its thermal qualities ensure it boosts the building’s environmentally-friendly credentials.”

A popular choice for energy-conscious building projects, Aliva’s Termok8 render systems provide a beautiful, weatherproof and long-lasting finish which meets the highest modern thermal requirements.