Educational Buildings: New Build
Runner-up: Imperial College of London Sports Centre

The Imperial College of London Sports Centre, 14 Princess Gardens, London SW7, is a new four-storey extension to a period building.

The M.R. Swistherm external wall insulation system was specified by architects, Arup Associates, as the render system would echo the period character of the college, blending in with the surrounding architecture. The system also included high thermal insulation with acoustic sound reduction – 140 mm of mineral wool was incorporated to produce a non-combustible façade with a U-value of 0.25 W/m²K, with extra strips of insulation providing feature bands. The silicone render finish offered water shedding capability, resistance to surface dirt and low maintenance, ideal for a busy city location. The building is used for sports activities, houses residential accommodation on the top floors, is adjacent to a bandstand, and is situated on a main road.

The system designer was Alumasc Exterior Building Products Ltd; the installer, Purkiss Brothers Ltd – both INCA members – and the main contractor, ISG Interior/Exterior.