Seamless success for Sto at University of Dundee

University of Dundee has been clad with StoTherm Mineral K external wall insulation system to keep the building cool in summer and warm in winter.

A striking new flagship building for the University of Dundee has been clad with StoTherm Mineral K external wall insulation system to keep the building cool in summer and warm in winter.

It is believed to be one of the biggest projects in the UK to utilise an external wall insulation system.

The GBP6m building, for the Department of Applied Computing, is the central focus of the new University's campus plan.

The brief from the University was to provide a building which minimises life cycle costs, both in terms of capital and running costs.

The design of the building incorporates clusters of circular pods around a central spine.

StoTherm is particularly suitable for fixing to curved substrates and helps to achieve a seamless surface to the exterior of the building.

The circular shape of the pods also allows through ventilation, they were developed to ensure that the building envelope, while fulfilling the required architectural function, also helps to provide an energy efficient, environmental solution.

To reduce solar gain, south facing sides of the pods have smaller windows while on the north facing sides glazed screens take advantage of good natural light and the views.

The StoTherm Mineral K was fixed to the brickwork and helps to provide an even temperature range through winter and summer.

In winter it will help to retain heat generated by the computer equipment, so cutting heating bills.

The StoTherm system comprises 100mm thick insulation boards which were pre-formed to the specific radii on the building.

They were then coated with StoLit K1.5, a water-based synthetic resin render with a stippled effect.

This offers complete weather protection, is highly durable and requires no maintenance to preserve its weatherproofing properties.

Comments Karen Pickering of architects Page and Park: "StoTherm insulation systems have proved to be excellent for applying to curved wall surfaces".

"The result is an external wall surface which flows smoothly and gives an excellent U-value of 0.23W/mandsup2;K".

The StoTherm Mineral system is formed of flexible Lamella insulation boards with fibres perpendicular to the wall, while the finishing render is available in 800 different colours.

The project has won an INCA (Insulation, Render and Cladding Association) Andy Swan award for the best use of external wall insulation in new build.

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