Challenge

Hereford Archive Centre is the UK’s first archival storage building to be designed and built to the Passivhaus standard.

The main storage building is an unperforated concrete structural box with JB Shingle cladding. It holds the main archive and the records repository, forming secure accommodation over three storeys. The building also provides thermally isolated and environmentally controlled conditions, tuned and optimised for archival storage.

A key aspiration in the project’s design was to provide a warm and welcoming atmosphere with an air of simple quality, according to Hereford-based architects Architype. The architects prefer, where possible, to specify natural materials and use timber so that the finished design reflects a suitable scale and materiality in keeping with the key aspirations, articulating the use of concrete, timber and glass.

Solution

Cedar shingles are a renewable and sustainable roofing and cladding material with one of the lowest carbon footprints and a high degree of thermal insulation. JB Shingles are supplied with a 40-year guarantee and require zero maintenance, retaining a natural beauty as they weather and blend into the environment. They are usually treated with a clear preservative treatment, MicroPro®, to retain the natural look of cedar, but Architype had a very clear vision for them on this project.

Shingles were specified as a key part of the design brief for the external appearance of the building to fit with the ethos of choosing high-quality natural materials that sit in visual harmony with the landscape.

In this instance, the western red cedar shingles were supplied clean (without treatment) because Architype knew that shingles have a natural durability and will protect themselves.

The proven performance and appearance as the shingles weather resulted in their use for this project, where a soft but crisp finish was required for this spectacular element of the building.

Outcome

Camilleri Roofing Contractors were appointed to install the Marley cedar shingles. Mike Camilleri said: “The mitred hips were technically very difficult, and the roofing team on site were justifiably proud of achieving the stunning aesthetics delivered by the crisp cleanness of the shingle installation. This attention to detail and exceptional workmanship can be seen especially in the horizontal lines of the Marley Eternit shingles.”

Hereford Borough Councillor Roger Phillips added: “Our new facility will be a landmark and sets the precedent for future archival building design”.