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Product category: Walls
News Release from: Insulated Render and Cladding Association | Subject: External wall insulation
Edited by the Buildingtalk Editorial Team on 02 May 2005

How curvaceous new buildings achieved.

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Architects are achieving seamless curves and maximising the use of glass in prestigious new buildings, from high rise apartments to private houses, due to the use of external wall insulation.

Curvaceous new buildings achieved using external wall insulation Architects are achieving seamless curves and maximising the use of glass in prestigious new buildings, from high rise apartments to private houses, due to the use of external wall insulation

This is well illustrated by the winners of the Andy Swan Awards 2005 - for the best use of external wall insulation - sponsored by the Insulated Render and Cladding Association.

The overall winner was the NV Buildings, Dock 9, Salford Quays, Manchester, which were designed as a landmark residential scheme to complement their prestigious neighbours - the Lowry, and the Imperial War Museum.

The concept echoes the area's maritime history in a bold and architecturally exciting manner.

The positioning and orientation of the buildings produces south facing apartments with dramatic views across the quays.

The specifier, Broadway Malyan, wished to use as much high specification glass as possible to take advantage of the views, whilst complying with the new Part L of the Building Regulations.

Despite the exposed site, this was achieved by using the StoTherm Classic external wall insulation system, including 90 mm of EPS insulation, on the solid areas.

The finish was white Stolit render.

The system helped the buildings to attain a good rating in the Ecohomes accreditation.

The system designer was Sto and the installer Harrison Render Systems - both INCA members.

There were two runners-up in the competition.

In designing Altolusso House, Bute Terrace, Cardiff, the designers were required by the local planning department to retain the existing facade of an interesting old Victorian building, known as New College.

This fronts the entrance and foyer to the three petals of the luxury new apartment block behind, whose architectural features reflect the finials of the old building.

All facades have some form of curve and whilst the flat 70mm mineral fibre boards were formed around this, only a thick coat render on the external wall insulation system was able to smooth the surface.

The specifier, HMA Architects, had seen the quality finish on Landmark Place, a short distance away, and used the same weber.therm system and applicator to achieve the same standard of flatness and finish.

The main construction is single skin blockwork infill to concrete frame: deflection at each floor was handled by a compression joint detail within the external wall insulation system: the mineral fibre insulation helped with acoustic issues and fire considerations, as the project is situated close to Cardiff rail station: and the finish was weber.plast TF.

The system designer was weber building solutions; the installer Joyner P.A.

(Cymru) - both INCA members; the client Redrow Homes ; and the main contractor Laing O'Rourke.

The natural colour of the render finish at Magellan House, Clarence Dock, Block A, Chadwick Street, Leeds, gave the eleven-storey tower a natural look in keeping with the River Aire and the Dock.

The building was divided into complementary forms, comprising rectilinear blocks, clad with metric module stack-bonded brickwork, cedar boarding and interlocking cladding panels with curving facades to provide interesting contrasts.

The architects, Carey Jones, specified the StoTherm Classic external wall insulation system to meet current Building Regulations, be compliant with NHBC, and include a low maintenance Stolit finish, free of textural blemishes.

The 60 mm EPS insulation was CFC/HCFC free and achieved low U-values.

The system designer was Sto ; and the installer, George Howe , both INCA members.

In complete contrast to the high rise blocks, Lymm Water Tower, Tower Lane, Lymm, Cheshire, is a particularly unusual private residence, converted from a derelict 130-year old grade II listed Victorian stone water tower into a family home.

It was the winner in the new build private houses category.

The aim of the owners and architects was to blend a contemporary futuristic design with the building's traditional features.

The simple but powerful detailing of the new building works in synergy with the old.

MR Swistherm external wall insulation was specified by architects, Ellis Williams, for energy efficiency in compliance with current U-value requirements by incorporating 20 mm of EPS insulation.

The high performance, lightweight Silkolitt render provided a low-maintenance, water repellent finish, with excellent durability and impact resistance.

The continuous white curves and sharp angles made a bold and ambitious visual statement.

The overall aim was to use local high-tech and energy conserving green building materials.

The system designer was Alumasc Exterior Building Products ; the installer Pegasus Externals - both INCA members; with the construction work carried out by the Redrow group.

These residential projects and entries covering commercial and public buildings, will be illustrated at a new build seminar to discuss insulated render and cladding, to be held May/June in London.

Architects from some of the winning projects will describe their experiences, and there will be an exhibition illustrating the latest external wall insulation systems and finishes.

Architects, builders and developers, social landlords, energy managers and other specifiers, are invited to attend.

A seminar on external wall insulation for refurbishment will be held in the autumn.

Invitations to either seminar and information on the external wall insulation process, systems and contractors, available from Insulated Render and Cladding Association.

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