{"id":2658,"date":"2023-01-17T13:44:37","date_gmt":"2023-01-17T13:44:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/armourcoat.com\/en-us\/?post_type=case_study&p=2658"},"modified":"2025-09-03T11:33:43","modified_gmt":"2025-09-03T10:33:43","slug":"stem-lab","status":"publish","type":"case_study","link":"https:\/\/armourcoat.com\/en-us\/case-study\/stem-lab\/","title":{"rendered":"STEM Lab, UK"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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STEM Lab, UK<\/h1> \n
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Armourcoat SMG Polished Plaster finish brings sustainable, high-performance alternative to metal at the UK’s most advanced augmented reality center<\/span><\/p>\n <\/div>\n \n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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\n Location:<\/strong>\n Bury St Edmunds, UK <\/div>\n \n
\n Architect:<\/strong>\n Giovanni Patania <\/div>\n \n \n
\n Photographer:<\/strong>\n Mark Hadden <\/div>\n <\/div>\n \n \n \n
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Enhance the interplay of light and shadow<\/h2> \n

Located within the STEM Hangar at West Suffolk College, The XR Lab<\/a> redefines digital education as the UK\u2019s most advanced augmented reality center. Designed by WindsorPatania Architects<\/a>, the 700m\u00b2 structure captivates from the outset, pushing the boundaries of form and materiality.<\/p>\n

A striking geometric fa\u00e7ade, finished in Armourcoat\u2019s HPS<\/a> high-gloss Polished Plaster<\/a>, forms the centerpiece of the design. Applied across all exterior facades, including the bold three-dimensional feature wall, the finish enhances the interplay of light and shadow, amplifying the building\u2019s dynamic presence.<\/p>\n

Part of the College\u2019s specialist STEM campus, the \u00a32m project sets a new benchmark for vocational training in digital sciences. With bespoke detailing and complex components\u2014including the intricate faceted wall\u2014the entire scheme was completed within an impressive seven-month timeframe.<\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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A reflection of postmodernism design<\/h2> \n

Originally conceived in metal, the XR Lab\u2019s geometric feature wall posed a challenge in balancing design ambition with budget constraints. Architect Giovanni Patania explored stainless steel, aluminum, and zinc before selecting Armourcoat\u2019s HPS Polished Plaster\u2014a refined, high-performance alternative that met stringent standards for indoor air quality, zero VOCs, low embodied carbon, fire resistance, and thermal stability.<\/p>\n

Applied seamlessly across the complex faceted form, SMG builds up in delicate layers over a timber and plasterboard framework, achieving a rich, high-gloss lacquered effect. Finished in a deep grey palette, the surface transforms under shifting light, creating a dramatic, reflective presence\u2014an architectural monolith reminiscent of the postmodern film 2001: A Space Odyssey<\/em>.<\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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The brief was to achieve something that was unprecedented and unique, that inspired future generations but made students feel it was a piece of alien architecture. I don\u2019t think anyone expected the end result to be so impressive.<\/p>\n

Armourcoat was superb in its level of support, from samples to being on site to give technical guidance on the plaster\u2019s application. SMG is instrumental in achieving an opulent, reflective, futuristic exterior that inspires students to interact with and participate in the XR Lab experience.<\/p>\n\n

\n Giovanni Patania, Windsor Patania Architects <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n \n
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Products<\/h2>\n
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\n \n Order Sample <\/a>\n \n \n Specify Finish <\/a>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n \n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"featured_media":5787,"template":"","case_study_category":[12],"class_list":["post-2658","case_study","type-case_study","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","case_study_category-commercial"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nSTEM Lab, UK - Armourcoat US<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/armourcoat.com\/en-us\/case-study\/stem-lab\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"STEM Lab, UK - Armourcoat US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/armourcoat.com\/en-us\/case-study\/stem-lab\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Armourcoat US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2025-09-03T10:33:43+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/armourcoat.com\/en-us\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2023\/01\/XR-LAB-006-1.jpg\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"2000\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"1334\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/jpeg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"3 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\\\/\\\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/armourcoat.com\\\/en-us\\\/case-study\\\/stem-lab\\\/\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/armourcoat.com\\\/en-us\\\/case-study\\\/stem-lab\\\/\",\"name\":\"STEM Lab, UK - 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