STEM Lab, West Suffolk College

Enhance the interplay of light and shadow

Located within the STEM Hangar at West Suffolk College, The XR Lab redefines digital education as the UK’s most advanced augmented reality centre. Designed by WindsorPatania Architects, the 700m² structure captivates from the outset, pushing the boundaries of form and materiality.

A striking geometric façade, finished in Armourcoat’s SMG high-gloss Polished Plaster, forms the centrepiece 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’s dynamic presence.

Part of the College’s specialist STEM campus, the £2m project sets a new benchmark for vocational training in digital sciences. With bespoke detailing and complex components—including the intricate faceted wall—the entire scheme was completed within an impressive seven-month timeframe.

A reflection of postmodernism design

Originally conceived in metal, the XR Lab’s geometric feature wall posed a challenge in balancing design ambition with budget constraints. Architect Giovanni Patania explored stainless steel, aluminium, and zinc before selecting Armourcoat’s SMG Polished Plaster—a refined, high-performance alternative that met stringent standards for indoor air quality, zero VOCs, low embodied carbon, fire resistance, and thermal stability.

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—an architectural monolith reminiscent of the postmodern film 2001: A Space Odyssey.