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Last edited 24 Aug 2022

Alumimium clad stands at Lords Cricket Ground

[edit] Cladding Balls Over Lords Cricket Ground Case Study

The existing stands on the ground's Nursery (eastern) End had become inadequate due to the needs of modern spectators, with restricted sightlines in the lower tiers and upper tiers entirely exposed to the elements. A decision was therefore taken to replace them with two new build stands, named after the famous cricketers Dennis Compton and John Edrich.

WilkinsonEyre architects were commissioned by the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) for the £53m redevelopment of the new stands, which flank either side of the Stirling Prize-winning Media Centre and Proteus Facades supplied striking aluminium cladding to the new Compton and Edrich stands.

The curved, elliptical form of WilkinsonEyre’s design makes the stands appear like ‘objects landed from outer space’, while providing a range of additional seating and hospitality areas (increasing the previous capacity from 9,000 to 11,600 seats), new concourses and circulation areas overlooking the Nursery Ground, public realm and landscaping allow the spectators to enjoy the facilities.

Proteus HR Solid and Perforated cladding panels in PPC aluminium with a RAL 7040 finish were specified for the corporate facilities at the rear of Compton and Edrich. A number of these panels had to be curved to accommodate the radius of the hospitality spaces.

The wall build-up on these elements comprises an SFS frame with cement board and insulation. A Proteus railing system comprising bespoke helping hand brackets and the company’s 50x50mm mullion grid allow the panels to be installed in a landscape pattern, giving the hospitality boxes on level one some horizontal definition in contrast to the vertical feel of the primary roof cladding.

Around the first floor soffit, Proteus SC Perforated panels were introduced in 3mm aluminium with a RAL 9003 finish. These were installed at an angle to generate a zone for the various M&E routes that were required between the two stands. They extend at an angle from the service access up to the projecting first tier level. These angled soffits are again on a curve that follows the overall stand design. This required a number of elliptical and shaped panels manufactured to specific locations on the detailed plan.

The positioning of the panels and structural connection points meant there was a relatively large drop from the concrete slab to accommodate M&E services. A combination of L and U aluminium extrusion sections and brackets developed a standard framework to which Proteus’s 125mm x 50mm mullions could connect. The spanning capacity of the 125mm x 50mm section allowed a reduced framing structure which improved the access zones for the M&E installation trades.

This considered approach to the structure and panels allowed for a simplistic installation through an agreed sequence, allowing the manufacturing process to keep the sites teams busy during the condensed installation periods created by the Covid pandemic.

Blending harmoniously with the previously constructed Media Centre, the aluminium clad, elliptically shaped, 24 metre high designs soften the bold media box and blend the new with the historical aspect of this great amphitheatre for cricket.