Colour-changing aluminium composite panels for Marine Gateway

The Marine Gateway mixed-use development officially opened in spring 2017 in south Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.  The Marine Gateway is the first major transit-oriented development integrated into with Canada Line rapid transit rail system. The project involved approximately $372 million.

The Marine Gateway residential towers get 50 per cent Alucobond cladding and 50 per cent glazing. They features more than 200,000 square feet of recyclable 4mm Alucobond Plus aluminium composite material (ACM) by 3A Composites USA.

Photo Courtesy: Mark Kempf

The four custom shades of green Alucobond Plus in the Spectra colour finishing system were developed by  Perkins+Will with Alucobond fabricator/installer Keith Panel Systems Co. Ltd.(KPS), of North Vancouver, British Columbia, and 3A Composites USA.  Alucobond’s Spectra panels change colours as per different wavelengths of light.

Marine Gateway project was developed by PCI Developments Corp. with the help of architect Perkins+Wil and installer Keith Panel Systems Co. Ltd.  It is designed to focus on sustainable, mixed-use communities and to meet the principle of smart growth.

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Ryan Bragg, principal at Perkins+Wil Canada, said, “We wanted to create a fresh look with rather timely colors. We knew that the Spectra would change in a subtle way while providing contrast with the bone white Alucobond panels.

“We always thought that the Spectra would appear to change more from a distance rather than close up. But, within residents’ units, you can catch the change. …The Spectra is a very interesting material. It’s been very successful in capturing the look we were trying to achieve.”

Andrew Grant, president, PCI Developments Corp said: “PCI’s goal for Marine Gateway was to transform a vacant and underutilized four-plus acre industrial lot into a vibrant, transit-oriented mixed-use town center that combines retail, entertainment, office, residential and transit onsite.”

 “PCI saw the opportunity to directly integrate with rapid and bus transit, allowing residents, workers, shoppers and visitors to live, work, shop, play and commute all in one location.”