Why specify that ?

A. Because it’s energy efficient

You’d expect a new development of flats in Chertsey, Surrey, to be a swanky one, but residents in this part of the world have the environment at heart too.

That’s why the Phoenix Apartments – a scheme of four buildings, including a cylindrical tower that forms the centrepiece – feature Alumasc’s MR Swisrail insulated render.

More than 1,700m2 of Swisrail was specified because it could offer an insulation board that achieved a U value of 0.20W/m2K. The 140mm extruded polystyrene insulation needed to achieve the U value can be used with a drained system, a requirement on the tower.

The aesthetics of Swisrail also appealed

to the specifiers. The scheme includes some retail units and a renovated grade II-listed house that contrasts with the glass and render of the new buildings. 

Alumasc says Swisrail offers good impact resistance and requires minimal maintenance.

www.alumasc.co.uk

B. Because it cuts out the noise

Noisy traffic outside your office? No problem, just build a solid wall between them and the road. This is what has been done at a new office development in the Lake District, where Burlington’s Elterwater Green stone with a riven finish has been used to create a coursed gable wall on the west facade. As well as serving as a point of solid termination to the two-storey building, the stone wall also plays a functional role by helping reduce noise disturbance from the adjacent road.

Installed by Haygarth Construction of Kendal for the main contractor, Eric Wright Construction of Preston, the same Burlington material also features on the south entrance facade where the stone has been used as feature bands that contrast with polished concrete block work.

Another reason for specifying the stone, according to Leeds-based architect Farrell & Clark, was to emphasise the natural materials used in the building’s construction. The walling stone complements the building’s timber roof structure and cladding.

www.burlingtonstone.com

C. Because it gives more space

An existing office building in the City of London has changed its spots, but the

transformation is more than aesthetic – a new curtain wall system has also helped increase the area of its floorplates.

Kawneer’s AA110 curtain walling was designed and built by Siac, which mounted it between pre-cast concrete columns which define the first five storeys of structural bays. Architect AROS projected the plane of the original screens forward, resulting in an increase in the net lettable area between bays.

The dominance of the pre-cast concrete elements in the original facade has also been reduced by introducing solid, horizontal feature bands at floor levels and by fritting the internal pane of glass to 1m above the floor level.

www.kawneer.co.uk

D. Because the bar has been raised

The Sphere, a residential scheme in London’s Royal Victoria Docks area, is an example of the many high-spec developments rising up in previously neglected parts of the capital due to the impact of the Olympics.

For the Sphere, an apartment block designed by Nicholas Burwell Architects for Hollybrook Homes, Trespa Meteon panels in wood grain finishes were chosen as external cladding while Italian Walnut panels are used for the inset balcony and window areas.

Trespa Meteon panels offer good weather and UV resistance and their smooth impact resistant surfaces are unaffected by cleaning agents and graffiti can be easily removed.

www.trespa.com

E. Because it’s getting bigger

Manchester’s Trafford Centre, one of the UK’s largest shopping centres, is being extended.

Trent Concrete, which worked on the original construction, is once again designing, detailing and installing stone cladding for the extension. The Barton Square development comprises four L-shaped blocks arranged to form a central square, mall and colonnade. Trent’s £6.4m contract includes a variety of unique precast elements.

On the external elevations there are storey-high pilasters typically 8 x 1 metres in dimension, wide cornice units of 8.8 x 1.4 metres and a band course and plinth at nearly 11 metres long and half a metre in height.

The external corner towers comprise large-scale raking ashlar with brick-faced units above, and large-scale cornice units.

www.trentconcrete.co.uk