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PURE WHITE SEAMLESS RENDER FOR CITY LOCATIONS

Pure white was selected for a low-maintenance render finish for two projects in busy city locations. The architects also specified that there should be no expansion joints, as seamless monolithic elevations were required. This was achieved using rendered facade insulation systems. Both projects were winners in the INCA Andy Swan Awards 2009, sponsored by the Insulated Render and Cladding Association; for the best use of external wall insulation.

          The winner, White Cube, Masons Yard, London, is an annexe to the gallery of the same name. The architects, M R J Rundell Associates Architects, planned the new building as ‘a clear sculptured monolithic block on a fair-faced concrete base’. The surface render material was the primary reason for the success of the project, as it was “the only way to create a seamless surface that concealed the construction process”. “Deformation of the steel construction could easily have led to cracks in the rendered facade. So this was formed as a rigid shell and attached to the building by flexible connections, so the two elements could move independently”.

          The highly flexible StoTherm Classic external wall insulation system incorporated 50mm EPS, resulting in substantial energy savings. The system designer was Sto Ltd; the installer was Renocon Ltd - both INCA members. The project also won a European architectural award.

          Highly commended was Union Plaza, an office development on a brownfield site, off Union Row, Aberdeen. The specifier, Halliday Frazer, Munro also required white monolithic elevations that were sharp and crisp, without expansion joints or weep holes. They opted for StoTherm Mineral external wall insulation, to provide a durable flexible system.

          The system incorporated 130mm of mineral fibre on cement particle board, to produce a very thermally efficient building with a 0.22W/m²K u-value. The system designer was Sto Ltd; the installer Muirfield (Contracts) Ltd – both INCA members.

          Also highly commended was Riverside, an office development in Wimbledon, London SW17. Again in a busy city location, the need was for a high performance render, resistant to dirt, with water shedding capability, low maintenance, and with insulation for sound proofing as well as excellent thermal performance – achieving a 0.25W/m²K u-value.

          The architect required an insulated render system, with a modern design and striking decorative finish. Peter Whicheloe architects specified the Swistherm external wall insulation system, mounted on solid lightweight blockwork, and incorporating 110mm of EPS, finished in an eye-catching intense blue silicone render in a rolled texture. Timber detailing stood proud of the main render front to give an impression of depth. The system designer was Alumasc Exterior Building Products Ltd; and the installer, Lawtech Ltd – both INCA members.

Technical information on external wall insulation for new build and refurbishment is available from the Insulated Render & Cladding Association at Royal London House, 22-25 Finsbury Square, London EC2A 1DX ; tel: 0844 249 0040; fax: 0844 249 0042; e-mail: info@inca-ltd.org.uk; or www.inca-ltd.org.uk.

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Further information from the INCA Secretariat
on 0844 249 0040.

Downloadable Images:-

images\White Cube

images\Union Plaza

images\Riverside Offices, Wimbledon

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