61 St Aldates, a fully occupied student accommodation in the heart of Oxford, recently underwent a significant façade upgrade, completed in July 2024. This project followed a 2022 investigation that identified issues with the cladded North elevation, prompting a full-scale remediation to ensure compliance and safety.

The building’s location presented unique logistical hurdles. With the Oxford Combined County Court (OCCC) immediately adjacent, the project required careful coordination and legal agreements to set up scaffolding and allow safe access without disrupting court operations. Once access was secured, the existing façade was stripped back to the internal plasterboard, revealing the need for a robust and fire-safe solution.

Valcan’s VitraDual A1 Aluminium Cladding Panels in Silver Metallic were specified and installed by Unite Facades Ltd for the replacement façade. These panels are A1-rated under EN 13501-1, meaning they are non-combustible, meeting the highest fire safety standards - a critical requirement for high-occupancy student accommodation.

Key benefits

• Fire Performance: A1 non-combustible rating ensures compliance with UK building regulations for residential and educational buildings.
• Durability: Resistant to corrosion and weathering, ideal for Oxford’s variable climate.
• Design Flexibility: Available in a wide range of finishes and colours, enabling aesthetic harmony with historic surroundings.
• Ease of Installation: The rivet-fix method used on this project provides secure, efficient installation while maintaining clean visual lines.

To complement the new rainscreen system, fire-rated windows were installed along the North elevation. Internal works were carried out under strict safeguarding procedures, ensuring student safety throughout the project.

The result is a fully compliant, visually appealing, and future-proof façade that enhances both safety and aesthetics. This project demonstrates how VitraDual is the ideal choice for high-occupancy buildings where performance and compliance are non-negotiable.