Amber Vista, Lakeside Cardiff: A Landmark in Sustainable Urban Renewal
Introduction
The Amber Vista project in Lakeside, Cardiff, epitomises the future of sustainable urban development. Silver Crescent’s regeneration transformed a dilapidated 1960s shopping parade into a thriving, mixed-use high-end destination. From design to execution, this project demonstrates how innovation and collaboration can revitalise communities while delivering sustainability and aesthetic appeal.
Project Overview
Located in the heart of Cardiff’s Cyncoed suburb, Amber Vista’s development included refurbishing an existing structure and adding two new floors. The goal was to create a space that seamlessly combined residential apartments with commercial outlets, including retail and hospitality venues. A key challenge was designing a facade that blended modern aesthetics with the neighbourhood’s character. Silver Crescent partnered with Aquarian Cladding Systems to implement the MechSlip brick cladding system, a groundbreaking solution that combined sustainability with unmatched design flexibility.
Product Selection and Key Features
The MechSlip system was chosen to address two critical factors:
- Sustainability: Retaining the original structure preserved the embodied carbon, reducing the environmental impact. The MechSlip system uses 75% less material than traditional masonry, further contributing to its eco-friendly credentials.
- Design Flexibility: The Marziale brick, with its light honey tones and textured finish, was mechanically fixed to create a modern, vibrant facade. This solution allowed Silver Crescent to incorporate complex detailing, including vertical stretcher bonds, recessed panels, and overhanging soffits, while maintaining structural integrity.
The system also provided logistical advantages. Its lightweight composition reduced the cladding zone to as little as 95mm in certain areas, a feat unachievable with conventional masonry. Moreover, its BBA certification ensured compliance with stringent fire and weatherproofing standards, providing a 25-year warranty for long-term durability.
Installation
The installation covered 2,304m² of MechSlip cladding, secured using Ash & Lacy’s Axial aluminium support brackets and rails. Silver Crescent’s in-house team, supported under Aquarian’s Installer Network programme, carried out the process.
Precise planning and execution were essential to meet the complex architectural requirements. Revit software was used to model bespoke brick pieces and align multiple facade depths and orientations. The system’s modularity allowed for seamless integration of fire barriers, insulation, and recessed panels while maintaining design consistency.
In addition, the cladding’s dry installation process eliminated delays typically associated with wet trades, ensuring that the project remained on schedule despite unpredictable weather conditions.
Navigating Challenges
Situated in a bustling urban area, the project faced logistical hurdles. Existing retail units, including a Tesco Express and a pharmacy, remained operational throughout construction, requiring minimal disruption. Heavy pedestrian and vehicular traffic added to the complexity of deliveries and material storage.
Silver Crescent leveraged Aquarian’s bespoke site scheduling system, a live tool enabling real-time updates and precise delivery coordination. This ensured timely offloading and storage without compromising safety or workflow. Eight meticulously planned deliveries were made, demonstrating exceptional logistical management.
Client Collaboration and Support
The partnership between Silver Crescent and Aquarian Cladding Systems was instrumental in the project’s success. From initial consultations to onsite training, Aquarian’s team provided unwavering support, which included:
- Early engagement consultation to resolve technical challenges.
- Coordination with suppliers to expedite production and avoid delays.
- Training Silver Crescent’s workforce to handle the MechSlip system effectively.
This close collaboration allowed Silver Crescent to overcome an initial six-month delay caused by unproductive discussions with other suppliers. As a result, the team regained momentum, completing the expanded cladding scope within nine months, only three months beyond the original timeline, despite a 40% increase in coverage.
Client Testimonial
Kashif Ahmed, Managing Director of Silver Crescent, praised the partnership, stating:
“Aquarian Cladding were quick to share their extensive knowledge and experience with the entire team throughout the design and construction process, ensuring the detailed design, supply, and installation of the MechSlip brick slip cladding System at Amber Vista was as seamless as possible.
“Their understanding of our initial brief and subsequent close collaboration on the design, featuring a wide variety of brick slip details, and the quality of the install, has resulted in a development that stands as a beacon of responsible urban renewal. The use of MechSlip has been integral to our achievement and has helped us to achieve a building of such high quality that we can all be justly proud of our collaboration.”
Project Outcomes
Amber Vista has redefined the skyline of Cyncoed, offering a sustainable blueprint for urban renewal. The use of MechSlip delivered significant benefits:
- Aesthetic Appeal: A vibrant facade with intricate detailing harmonising with the surrounding architecture.
- Sustainability: Preservation of embodied carbon and reduced material usage.
- Efficiency: A quicker, more predictable construction process with minimal disruption.
The project’s success has been solidified by winning the “Best use of a brick slip cladding system” at the Façade Awards UK in 2024 after already securing the “Commercial Development of the Year” at the Cardiff Property Awards in 2023.
