INCA awards recognise striking design and flexible approach afforded by insulated cladding

Citation

(2002), "INCA awards recognise striking design and flexible approach afforded by insulated cladding", Facilities, Vol. 20 No. 3/4. https://doi.org/10.1108/f.2002.06920caf.004

INCA awards recognise striking design and flexible approach afforded by insulated cladding

INCA awards recognise striking design and flexible approach afforded by insulated claddingKeywords: Design, Awards, Building industry

Striking design, coupled with the flexibility of the insulated render and cladding system, produced four very different architect-designed projects as winners in the INCA 2001 Awards, sponsored by the Insulated Render and Cladding Association.

These include the exciting new university in Docklands, also luxurious apartments, in the new build categories, elegantly refurbished social housing, and remodelled apartments retaining their dignified Georgian façade – together illustrating the versatility of building with a solid, composite wall, using externally insulated render or cladding.

The four winning projects were described by the architects responsible at a seminar and exhibition illustrating the latest product developments, held in London this month. Around 40 specifiers attended the function, where Dr Paul Davidson, director of BRECSU, Building Research Establishment, presented the Award certificates to the project architects and builders. Paul is responsible for managing the buildings part of the Government's Energy Efficiency Best Practice programme, fundamental to the Government's climate change strategy.

The University of East London provides the Thames at Docklands with an exciting new skyline, achieved with bold angular academic buildings with curved elevations, and circular four-storey residential units. The insulated cladding system played a major role, as the buildings are situated on a very exposed site on the Royal Dock, with little or no protection from wind and driven rain.

The academic buildings, designed as single skin construction, consisted of a steel frame with either blockwork infill panels or lightweight steel framing, particularly to gable areas. The cladding system – Eglinton Expomesh from Weber sbd – which was to be smooth and flat with few visible joints, used a float finish with a coloured acrylic coating. Its performance was crucial to the heating and ventilation design. The specification demanded a U-value of O.2W/m²K – achieved using 180mm EPS insulation – and the cladding had to provide zero air filtration at all interfaces. Additional mineral fibre was installed to assist the acoustic performance, as noise from the London City Airport was a serious consideration.

With the residential units, single skin load bearing block walls were built to the radius with in situ concrete floor slabs. Mineral fibre insulation 60mm thick was chosen for the cladding system, to eliminate fire risk. It took to the curve without the need for preforming. An engineering brick-faced cavity construction was used to provide a robust plinth at ground level, which would not be affected by ground conditions. The units had punched windows and recessed vent "portholes" as a design feature.

Responsible for the project were Edward Cullinan, architects for the client; Carillion Design & Build, the main contractor; their architects, GMW; and Harrison Render Systems, the installer of the insulated cladding system and a member of INCA.

Century Court, Cheltenham, a prestigious building providing 100 high density, high quality private apartments, was the winner of the new build residential section. The scheme, which first required the demolition of an unsightly 1960s office block, is positioned on an extremely sensitive site within a conservation area, immediately opposite Cheltenham College, and demonstrates a modern design approach in an historical setting.

The building involved the very latest solid wall construction methods. Although allowing faster construction time, the medium density blocks used could not match either the thermal requirements or aesthetics for this landmark project. Consequently, the architect specified Basic 1 external wall insulation system from Alsecco to meet the necessary U-values for the project, as well as providing a fine finish.

To remain sympathetic to the local environment the Silitect T topcoat, with a 1.5mm grain size was selected. The silicon based topcoat has a smooth texture and is highly resistant to dirt. Because the product is through coloured and factory batched, texture and colour remained consistent throughout the project. The architect for Century Court was Feilden Clegg Bradley; the developers Beaufort; and the installers of the insulated render system, Connaught Property Services Ltd, members of INCA.

Winner of the refurbishment Award for social housing was Wadham Avenue, in the London Borough of Waltham Forest. The building was refurbished as part of a rolling programme undertaken by the council to improve living conditions throughout the Borough. The Waltham Forest Building Consultancy was commissioned to find the most suitable and cost-effective solution by which to upgrade the building both thermally – to bring the building in line with current building regulations – and aesthetically, taking into consideration the surrounding environment.

The Permarock system was specified, incorporating 60mm mineral fibre insulation for its fire resistant properties. A relief with additional layers of insulation was designed into the façade, to produce raised bands on the ground floor and entrance areas, with shaped features above ground floor windows. The external finish included two different renders/colours. The system was applied by ECL Contracts Ltd, members of INCA.

The properties had originally been built in line with the Building Regulations at the time of construction and no form of insulation had been used within the structure. Following the application of the insulated render system, the tenants have noticed improvements in the warmth and comfort levels of their homes – with considerable savings on heating bills.

Insulated render and cladding is increasingly used to remodel existing buildings, as it has the flexibility to upgrade to current Building Regulations standards or better, whilst incorporating new build often within the same building. Chassay + Last, architects for Charlesworth House, 48 Stanhope Gardens, London SW7, winner of the commercial refurbishment/remodelling Award, specified a lightweight, highly insulated façade system meeting modern thermal requirements in conjunction with the existing façade of a Grade II Listed Building.

The Stotherm Classic system, incorporating 60mm EPS, achieved a highly thermally efficient building with the specified wall U-value of 0.45W/m²K. The render was colour matched to neighbouring façades. Rustications and bespoke architectural profiles, made of recycled material, were produced to match the existing profiles on the building, but at a quarter of the weight of the stone profiles. Installers of the system were Connaught Property Services Ltd. The building meets the requirements of both English Heritage and the Grade II listing requirements of local planning.

The Insulated Render and Cladding Association, a sponsor member of the Council for Energy Efficiency Development, is at PO Box 12, Haslemere, Surrey GU27 3AH, UK. Tel: +44(0)1428 654011; Fax: +44(0)1428 651401; E-mail: theceed@compuserve.com. Specifiers can now visit the new INCA Web site on www.inca-Itd.org.uk