GA cladding for Millers Quay gym
Referencing Birkenhead Docks' past Copper-Rolling Mill
Gooding Aluminium’s corrugated aluminium cladding features throughout the residents’ gym at The Pavilion, part of the Millers Quay development in Birkenhead. This modern residential scheme forms part of the wider Wirral Waters regeneration and pays homage to the industrial heritage of Birkenhead Docks, referencing the textures, colours and materials of the historic Copper-Rolling Mill.
The Pavilion’s gym interior brings these references to life, with vibrant, powder-coated aluminium panels lining the walls. The colour palette, influenced by the site’s maritime past, includes subtle greys and blues alongside a bold golden yellow. These details provide not just a visual connection to the dockland surroundings, but also a durable and low-maintenance finish for this high-traffic communal space.
Corrugated cladding with character
The project uses GA’s Simplicity corrugated aluminium cladding system, a modular panelling solution suitable for interior and exterior wall cladding. The GA CP78 corrugated profile, along with matching aluminium end trims, has been specified across three key wall areas in the gym space.
The Simplicity system allows for secret fixings, giving a clean-lined finish with no visible fastenings. The panels slot together, creating a seamless, curvaceous surface that lends both structure and softness to the space. It’s an ideal choice for contemporary residential developments and communal facilities looking to achieve a smart, architectural look without compromising on durability.
The aluminium panels are powder coated in colours selected from the RAL colour management system, allowing for consistency, longevity and resilience. The selected colours in this scheme are:
- Wall Finish 02 – 11m² in RAL 7001 Light Grey
- Wall Finish 03 – 16m² in RAL 5014 Pale Blue
- Wall Finish 04 – 22m² in RAL 1004 Golden Yellow.
These shades help to define the gym’s zoning and contribute to an energising, purposeful environment.
Supporting regeneration through design
The Pavilion is one of the earliest residential schemes to complete at Wirral Waters, a 300-acre regeneration initiative led by Peel Waters. The masterplan includes new homes, public realm improvements, commercial space and improved transport links. Ultimately, the scheme is expected to generate thousands of jobs for the Liverpool City Region.
Designed by Unit 3 Design Studio, The Pavilion draws on the area’s dockside identity and applies it with contemporary flair. From materiality to colour, the design narrative is one of connection – between past and present, between waterside industry and residential life.
GA’s role in this scheme was to supply the high-quality aluminium cladding panels and associated extruded aluminium trims, working closely with Krol Corlett Construction, who acted as main contractor and GA’s customer on the project.
About GA’s Simplicity corrugated aluminium system
The Simplicity profile used at The Pavilion – GA CP78 – forms part of GA’s wider range of corrugated aluminium panel systems, developed for ease of use, long-lasting performance and striking visual appeal. These symmetrically profiled, extruded panels are available from stock in a natural anodised finish, or in a broad selection of powder-coated RAL colours, as used at Millers Quay.
The system offers several benefits:
- Modular design for seamless installation in vertical or horizontal orientations
- Secret fixings via pre-drilled holes on the hidden flange
- Panels supplied in 2.5 or 3.0 metre lengths, with trims in 3.0 metre lengths
- Lightweight aluminium alloy, suitable for internal and external wall cladding
- Durable surface finishes – both anodised and powder coated – for use in commercial, leisure, public sector and residential projects
- Independently tested to European Assessment Document EAD 090062-00-0404 for external wall claddings
In projects such as this, ease of handling and a high-quality architectural finish are equally essential. Simplicity’s crisp corrugation and precision-milled trims help designers achieve that professional result, whether used on entire facades or as a feature cladding system within a room.
A cladding solution built for versatility
The use of corrugated aluminium wall cladding in interior applications continues to grow – especially in projects looking for materials that deliver on both form and function. The Pavilion shows how architectural aluminium can enhance not just the exterior character of a building, but also elevate internal spaces like gyms, lounges or entrance lobbies.
As with any metal finish, there may be minor tonal variations due to light reflection on curved surfaces or colour application across different batches. This is a natural part of working with aluminium and adds to the material’s unique aesthetic.
Whether your project is new build, refurbishment or part of a wider regeneration initiative, Gooding Aluminium’s cladding systems offer adaptable solutions to suit modern architectural requirements.
Project summary: The Pavilion, Millers Quay, Birkenhead
- Architect: Unit 3 Design Studio
- Main contractor (GA Customer): Krol Corlett Construction
- Client: Peel Waters – Waterside regeneration
- GA material supplied: GA CP78 cladding profile and extruded aluminium end trims
- Panel finishes:
- RAL 7001 Light Grey (11m²)
- RAL 5014 Pale Blue (16m²)
- RAL 1004 Golden Yellow (22m²)
Read more about the GA Simplicity corrugated aluminium system on our product page here.
Or learn how this product was used at hub by Premier Inn London Marylebone on our blog here.