Nov 23 2006
New commercial buildings are increasingly given curved facades for a striking, distinctive appearance. This is frequently achieved with the use of external wall insulation, using a flexible insulation material, plus render.
Two such buildings are the winners of the Andy Swan 2006 Awards for the best use of external wall insulation in commercial buildings, sponsored by the Insulated Render and Cladding Association.
The winner, Torfaen Innovation Centre, Llantarnum Park Way, Cwmbran, provides office use for the local authority. The Torfaen County Council required a flexible insulation with good acoustic qualities and the ability to allow the curvature of the building to be as natural as possible. Nor should the insulant contain CFCs or CHICs as a blowing agent.
Rockshield lamella insulation slab was used, to a 180mm thickness which increased the thermal value by 50%, reducing the energy loss considerably, to support a low cost heating system and produce a U-value below 0.2W/m2K. The render finish in white and grey to the majority of the building was coupled with a dry cladding finish. The system designer was Rockwool Ltd; the installer, Joyner PA Cymru – both INCA members.
In second place is Centenary Square, Bradford, which comprises business units, where the specifier, Panter Hudspith, wanted an external wall insulation system to accommodate a curved substrate, modern style and smart finish.
Dryvit’s lightweight Outsulation system, with 100mm of EPS insulation dealt with the unusual curved substrate, met Part L energy efficiency requirements easily and provided a crisp finish in Sandpebble Fine natural white. The system designer was Dryvit UK; the installer, Walltec - both INCA members.