City House, a 15-storey office block formerly known as the Philips Building – due to it being the headquarters for the well-known electrical company, was built in the early 1960s. It was converted into a residential block in 2017, part of a broader trend of repurposing office buildings into residential spaces to address housing demands. Seven wind turbines were also installed on the roof as part of the building’s renewable energy efforts and sustainability goals.

As well as structural modifications, interior renovation and safety upgrades, the exterior of the building was refurbished with the addition of combustible HPL cladding and timber cladding panels.

The combustible cladding at City House, Croydon, was discovered during safety assessments following the Grenfell Tower fire in 2017. The planning application for the removal and replacement of the combustible cladding was validated on June 8, 2021.

Client Fairview New Homes enlisted consultant Harris Associates, who played a significant role in the recladding of the building, including overseeing the entire project, ensuring the removal of the combustible cladding was carried out efficiently and safely. As the buildings were occupied during the development, careful planning had to be carried out to minimise disruption to the residents, while ensuring their safety throughout the process.

The previous timber cladding at City House, Croydon, was replaced with Valcan’s A1 fire rated VitraDual Aluminium panels, fabricated by Valcan’s in-house fabrication team into Interlocking Cladding panels in a Dark Teak Woodcreate effect that was colour matched to the previous non-compliant panels and in a timber affect to give the illusion of wood.

The Aluminium interlocking plank system was installed by LCS Roofing & Cladding Limited, ensuring seamless connections for a flawless appearance that closely resembled real wooden planks. Their expertise in building and project consultancy helped ensure the project met all the necessary safety standards and regulations.

The completion of the recladding project significantly improves the buildings' safety and visual appeal. Residents can enjoy enhanced energy efficiency, durability, and a modern aesthetic, plus they have peace of mind knowing their homes fully comply with building regulations, providing assurance in both comfort and security for years to come.