24/06/2026
Telling Rainscreens Ltd is proud to have supplied the Argeton terracotta rainscreen façade system alongside commercial partner SBS, part of the Taylor Maxwell group, for Phase 2 Block 4 at Eastwick & Sweetwater, the latest completed phase of the landmark regeneration project within Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, East London.
The development provides a collection of contemporary 1, 2 and 3-bedroom apartments and has already received significant industry recognition, winning Apartment Development of the Year at the British Homes Awards 2025. The project stands as an excellent example of how innovative façade design, technical engineering and high-performance materials can combine to create award-winning residential architecture.
A key architectural feature of the building is its elegant white glazed terracotta façade, delivered using 880m² of bespoke Argeton cladding.
Working closely with the design and construction teams, three unique tile profiles were developed specifically for the project, including a dedicated profiled corner tile and two bespoke profiled tile formats. The result is a distinctive façade that contributes strongly to the building's visual identity while maintaining the durability and performance expected of a modern rainscreen system.
One of the project's most technically demanding elements was the incorporation of tightly curved building corners with radii of just 660mm. Rather than compromising the architectural intent through faceted geometry, a bespoke solution was developed using a three-piece radius profiled face combined with a flat faceted rear to the tile. This approach enabled the smooth curved appearance required by the architect while ensuring compatibility with the supporting rainscreen structure and maintaining efficient installation procedures.
The success of the façade is underpinned by the inherent performance characteristics of the Argeton terracotta cladding system.
Manufactured from high-quality natural clay and fired at high temperatures, Argeton terracotta panels provide exceptional durability and long-term colour stability. Unlike painted or coated façade materials, the colour and finish are integral to the ceramic material itself, offering excellent resistance to UV degradation, weathering and environmental pollution. This is particularly beneficial in urban environments such as East London, where façade longevity and low maintenance requirements are key considerations.
The glazed white finish selected for Eastwick & Sweetwater provides a clean, contemporary aesthetic while delivering the robust surface performance associated with ceramic materials. The glazed surface offers excellent resistance to staining and environmental contaminants, helping the façade retain its appearance over time with minimal maintenance intervention.
As a ventilated rainscreen system, Argeton also delivers significant performance benefits beyond aesthetics. The ventilated cavity behind the terracotta tiles assists with moisture management by allowing any water that penetrates the outer façade layer to drain and evaporate naturally. This contributes to the long-term protection of the building envelope and supports overall building durability.
The terracotta material itself is non-combustible and offers excellent fire performance characteristics. For Phase 2 Block 4, the façade system was fully engineered and NHBC approved, with detailed design undertaken to accommodate all required horizontal and vertical fire barriers throughout the façade build-up. The integration of fire-stopping elements was carefully coordinated to ensure full compliance while maintaining the architectural consistency of the external appearance.
In addition to fire performance, Argeton systems offer excellent dimensional stability, resistance to freeze-thaw cycling, impact resistance and long service life. These characteristics make terracotta rainscreen façades particularly well suited to residential developments where long-term performance, sustainability and lifecycle value are increasingly important considerations.
The project also highlights the versatility of the Argeton system from a design perspective. Through bespoke manufacturing capabilities, architects are able to explore a wide range of formats, profiles, colours, glazes and geometric forms without sacrificing the proven technical benefits of the underlying façade system. The bespoke profiles developed for Eastwick & Sweetwater demonstrate how complex architectural requirements can be successfully realised through collaboration between designers, contractors and specialist façade suppliers.
Telling Rainscreens Ltd would like to thank Aurora Ltd for the high-quality installation of the façade package and Hill Partnership for the successful delivery of this award-winning residential development.
The completion of Phase 2 Block 4 demonstrates how Argeton terracotta cladding continues to provide architects and developers with a façade solution that combines design freedom, technical excellence, long-term durability and outstanding visual impact. We are proud to have contributed to a project that will play an important role in the continued evolution of one of London's most significant regeneration areas.
https://tellingrainscreens.co.uk/eastwick-sweetwater-argeton-terracotta-facade/
