The Aquatics Centre Wall cladding in Deep Nocturne

Wall cladding in Corian® in ultra black Deep Nocturne made with innovative DeepColour™ Technology, creates a sleek, seamless finish in the lift lobby of the ‘legacy mode’ Aquatics Centre by Zaha Hadid Architects. Photo courtesy of Cutting Edge, all rights reserved.

The ‘legacy-mode’ refurbishment of the London Aquatics Centre following the games of 2012 is now complete and this extraordinary structure by Zaha Hadid Architects has opened to great acclaim for the public to enjoy.

The new facility was described by the Guardian newspaper as “the most jaw-dropping municipal swimming pool in the world…a great legacy.” The Aquatics Centre has been adapted to its new use by replacing the temporary spectator stands with glazing, and creating new facilities to the interior of the wave-like structure, such as a reception desk and wall cladding made from Corian® high tech surface.

The flowing curves of the sculptural reception desk made from Corian® in Glacier White welcome the public to the refurbished 'legacy mode' Aquatics Centre by Zaha Hadid Architects. Photo courtesy of Cutting Edge, all rights reserved.

In the lift lobby of the main entrance, the sophisticated beauty of Corian® has been applied to create wall cladding in the new Deep Nocturne colour, a classic jet black made with innovative DeepColour Technology* (patent pending). Developed by DuPont to offer deeper, more intense dark colours for Corian® with improved wear performance and easier fabrication, this ground-breaking manufacturing process significantly enhances the palette of dark colours available to architects when specifying a high performance solid surface.

Kevin Hoy, Owner of fabricators Cutting Edge explains, “The wall panelling in Corian® around the lifts was installed to replace some metal cladding, using instead a material that could provide a seamless appearance – and in a true deep black colour.

A freestanding display unit and a wallmounted interactive information point maximize the design versatility and robust performance of Corian® in the main entrance of the 'legacy mode' Aquatics Centre by Zaha Hadid Architects. Photo courtesy of Cutting Edge, all rights reserved.

A matt finish was specified in this case, but the new DeepNocture colour also produces a beautiful gloss when polished. It was a great experience to work with the new DeepColour Technology, it performs very well. What’s more, the architect and client both seemed very happy that this new option was available to them”

Corian® also adds to the enticing welcome for the public in the form of a dramatic reception desk. Featuring the kind of sensual curves that are a signature of Zaha Hadid Architects, the installation maximises the versatility of Corian® to create an elegant, welcoming and ultra-functional design.

A freestanding display unit and a wallmounted interactive information point maximize the design versatility and robust performance of Corian® in the main entrance of the 'legacy mode' Aquatics Centre by Zaha Hadid Architects. Photo courtesy of Cutting Edge, all rights reserved.

As with the wall-cladding, the desk has been fabricated and fitted by renowned experts Cutting Edge. It is made from Corian® in the Glacier White colour choice and offers a durable, pristine and easy-care finish that will perform reliably in a high-traffic environment. This design theme continues in the form of low walls to the entrance barriers and sinuous display and interactive information units, also made from Corian® in Glacier White.

Kevin Hoy continues, “The desk is a great example of how Corian® can create a monolithic sculptural installation which also offers a strong, lasting finish that’s easy to maintain, and is even repairable, if necessary. This is especially important in terms of the levels of public interaction that will happen in the Aquatics Centre, which, ultimately, is there to serve the community for the long term.” 

The double curvature of the desk was achieved through skilled thermoforming and seamless joining techniques and the design also features integrated doors, drawer boxes and cable covers made from Corian® for a coherent finish.

“With this project, Corian® allowed the architects the freedom to explore any shape they desired. Similarly, with the freestanding pieces, the material ticked all the necessary boxes in terms of both looks and function,” adds Kevin Hoy.

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