INCA Case Study: Urban Hub, Preston

To satisfy the growing demand for local key worker and student accommodation to serve the University of Central Lancashire, David Cox Architects designed with Truman Design & Build a mixed-use £35M development of ground floor retail and 425 rental apartments spanning six storeys in the heart of Preston city centre. Situated on a busy junction, the scheme has changed the outlook of an area that is being commercially developed, including a new development that has recently broken ground with the same team of client, consultant, architect and main contractor.     

With the budget for constructing such a major development always under pressure, the benefits of utilising a high performance thermal insulation system for use with steel frame construction which instead of a traditional brick skin façade makes use of innovative lightweight brick slips, the possibilities of faster installation as well as significant cost savings was attractive to all involved. Alsecco were approached early in the design process and the brick-matching capabilities of the Meldorfer lightweight flat-facing brick slips were employed to perfectly replicate the appearance of the originally proposed clay brick. With a heavy texture and subtle shades of buff and light brown tones, the sample panel prepared for planning proved highly popular and was approved very quickly.

The Ecomin 400 system has third-party certification with an A2, s1-d0 fire classification – something required for this scheme which reaches over 11m in height. In addition, the impressive wind resistance performance proved from a DWU test in a specialist wind chamber also provided the utmost confidence to the design and build contractor. The system had many completed projects in the north of England so all parties had ample opportunity to see how well the system looks and performs.

The construction phase was very straightforward with the installer AllRend used to both Ecomin system as well as the specific Meldorfer brick slip finish. Mortar joints were finished neatly and precise setting out achieved. One big advantage of the external wall insulation system was that once the basecoat render had been applied, the façade was effectively watertight so the installation up to this stage could work well ahead of the brick slipping, especially as much of the installation was during winter months.

The final outcome is a real standout building that now houses students, key workers as well as a ground floor convenience store to serve the local community. There was no hesitation in proceeding with the same Alsecco Ecomin 400 system for the next development a stone’s throw away which will be known as Unicorn Halls.