May 4 2007
Prestigious high rise apartment blocks again lead the prestigious INCA Andy Swan Awards 2007 for the best use of insulated render systems. These systems are increasingly being used on lightweight steel and timber-framed new buildings, as demonstrated by the winners in the residential new-build category. The Awards are presented annually by the Insulated Render & Cladding Association (INCA).
Winners in this category are the Monico Apartments, Ty Wern Road, Rhiwbina, Cardiff – part of a redevelopment in Cardiff, replacing an old cinema on the site. The building has a steel frame substrate with a pyrok carrier board to replicate a rainscreen finish. The StoTherm Classic insulated render system terminated against both timber and metal features, providing a seamless finish with the use of a strong through-colour render. The combination of acoustic quilt in the studwork and the added 60 mm EPS insulation easily achieved 0.35W/m2K. The housebuilder was Edward Ware Homes; the architect, HLN Architects; the system designer, Sto Ltd; and the installer, Atkin Trade Specialists Ltd – the latter two both INCA members.
The runner-up was the Axis, Liberty 2 Shopping Centre, Romford, a new upmarket development on the site of a rundown swimming pool. These high rise apartments had large areas and curves on a raised podium, avoiding thermal or other movement joints. The architect, Goddard Manton, required a high quality jointless façade, with low maintenance. The StoTherm Classic insulated render system was applied, incorporating 80 mm of EPS insulation, both adhesive and mechanically fixed. Ashlar grooves were inserted to break up the large façade. The builder was Barratt East London; the system designer Sto Ltd; and the installer, MPG Facades Ltd – both INCA members.
Three projects were highly commended: Phoenix Apartments, Fox Lane, Chertsey, Surrey, are new contemporary buildings within the development. The cylindrical tower centrepiece in the apartment complex, needed to complement existing Grade 2 listed buildings. The architect, KDS Associates required a striking contemporary finish, with a thermal value of 0.20W/m2K, and noise reduction within the system in a busy residential area. They used the MR Swisrail insulated render system incorporating a highly efficient 140 mm expanded polystyrene insulation board, with a 25 mm drainage cavity solution, which worked with the design and the steel framed construction. The 1.5 mm weathertight render finish offered high performance, low maintenance and colour options. The developers were Countryside Properties; the system designer, Alumasc Exterior Building Products Ltd; and the installer Retrofit UK Ltd – the latter two both INCA members.
Wandsworth Riverside Buildings 2, 3 and 4 Osiers Road, Wandsworth, London is a high quality riverfront development, set in beautiful gardens with leisure facilities, restaurants and shops, also built for new community living. The specifiers, Carey Jones Architects, required a high quality jointless façade, low maintenance finish in bold blue and white, with the StoTherm Classic insulated render system interfacing with the metal cladding. The system designer was Sto Ltd, the installer MPG Facades Ltd - both INCA members.
852 Brighton Road, Purley, Surrey is believed to be the highest timber-frame building to-date. This seven storey timber-framed building, with fully vented render, and insulation within the frame, comprises apartments and ground floor offices for the client. The architects, Howard, Fairbairn and Partners, used the Wetherby fully vented insulated render system with a clean, crisp texture silicone/acrylic finish to provide a panelised look. The concept is now used on four other timber frame projects. Large trees before the building allowed the height. The builder/developer is Milford Group Ltd; timber frame supplier, Guildford Timber Frames Ltd; system designer, Wetherby Building Systems Ltd, and the installer, Concrete Repairs Ltd – the latter two both INCA members.
The Insulated Render & Cladding Association will be presenting some of the Award projects at its annual Seminar and Exhibition in October.