New Build: Private Apartments Runner-Up:
Altolusso House, Cardiff

In designing Altolusso House, Bute Terrace, Cardiff, the designers were required by the local planning department to retain the existing façade of an interesting old Victorian building, known as New College. This fronts the entrance and foyer to the three petals of the luxury new apartment block behind, whose architectural features reflect the finials of the old building.

All facades have some form of curve and whilst the flat 70mm mineral fibre boards were formed around this, only a thick coat render on the external wall insulation system was able to smooth the surface. The specifier, HMA Architects, had seen the quality finish on Landmark Place, Cardiff, a short distance away, and used the same weber.therm system and applicator to achieve the same standard of flatness and finish, this to reflect the high luxury for which the building is named Altolusso. The main construction is single skin blockwork infill to concrete frame: deflection at each floor was handled by a compression joint detail within the external wall insulation system: the mineral fibre insulation helped with acoustic issues and fire considerations, as the project is situated close to Cardiff rail station: and the finish was weber.plast TF.

The system designer was weber building solutions; the installer Joyner P.A. (Cymru) Ltd - both INCA members; the client Redrow Homes Ltd; and the main contractor Laing O'Rourke.