Whether it’s a car park, commercial building, block of flats or an office complex, the changing urban landscape and tighter planning restrictions require architects to get more creative with the look of their projects while satisfying environmental standards.

The exterior aesthetic is a key consideration in the planning process of any building. Berry Systems offers an extensive range of cladding and façade options that not only provide planners with a myriad of choice for that bespoke appearance but are also a sustainable solution.

Expanded mesh suits a variety of different styles and visual requirements and due to the stretching/expanding manufacturing process, can be produced with limited to zero waste. Also, when recycling aluminium cladding, it has an energy saving of 95 percent of that required through the primary smelter production route.

An increasingly popular option for architects are green walls. Façades can be utilised in various configurations to support climbing or scrambling plants. This is a practical method of giving a building a more natural appearance while helping to purify the air and lower ambient temperature inside the building, reducing the need for air conditioning.

Composite timber cladding is another environmentally friendly choice. Not only does it create a highly attractive finish but is made from reconstituted timber and recycled high-density polyethylene.

Another impressively green option is Sto Glass. Made from 96 percent recycled glass, the lightweight Sto Glass rainscreen cladding system can also be finished with solar photovoltaic cells enabling them to contribute renewable energy to the building.

“Environmental impact is a major factor in the plans for any building,” says James Fildes, Bids & Proposals Manager at Berry Systems. “Whether it’s ensuring that the finish complements the surrounding landscape, is manufactured using sustainable products or can actively benefit the building itself, we have a solution for all requirements.

“By involving us early in the planning process, we can advise on all of the options available. We’re also happy to send samples of the different types of cladding available so customers can see the quality for themselves.”