Rockwool top at new Rolls Royce factory

Rockwool insulation specified for largest 'green' roof in the UK primarily due to its environmental benefits, flexible energy saving, acoustic and fire protection properties.

The Goodwood estate, located in the Sussex Downs on the south coast of England, is an area of outstanding natural beauty and is home to the new Rolls- Royce factory.

It is not what you would expect to find in the middle of the picturesque English countryside, but the development has been sensitively designed and created by award winning architect Sir Nicholas Grimshaw.

Sir Grimshaw envisaged the site landscape as a highly efficient environment that is both multi-functional and beautiful addressing for example biodiversity and water conservation issues.

The site is an exemplary project of environmental design and includes products that fit this environmental ethos.

Rockwool was involved with what can be considered as the most striking feature of the building - the largest 'green' roof in the UK, with over 400,000 shrubs and plants protecting and blending it into the landscape.

With conservation in the forefront of the design, innovative ideas have been introduced, for instance water is drained off the roof and channelled into a landscaped lake, which in turn drives a pump that powers air conditioning units for the buildings.

Throughout the project environmentally friendly products from companies which have shown commitment through energy saving and environmental policies, have been used.

John Owen, technical sales consultant Rockwool , explains: "Rockwool insulation was specified primarily due to its environmental benefits and its flexible energy saving, acoustic and fire protection properties".

"Duo-Rock Torch On was used for the main roof and Duorock Cut to Falls used on the two large tapered roofs".

Brain Roberts, managing director of Rockwool, comments; "We are very proud of our involvement with this project, in particular as BMW are renowned for their commitment to green issues and also set very high standards and emphasis on using suppliers with equally as high environmental standards".

"The building is visually magnificent and importantly aesthetically designed to blend in with the surrounds, so takes into account all the possible environmental issues".

"It is also another excellent example of a successful collaborative partnership between architect, client, contractors and suppliers".

"We worked closely with Alumasc, who supplied the waterproof membrane and Tilbury Contracts who installed the materials to ensure that our involvement with the project ran smoothly.".

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