PermaRock celebrate Filbert Street development
contractjournal.com Newsletter: 25.08.05
PermaRock celebrate Filbert Street development
PermaRock, UK provider of external wall insulation and architectural façade systems, was among the first to meet the challenges posed by the development of innovative building methods. Here the Leicestershire-based company explains how, and describes the use of their creative solutions on the recent Filbert Street project in Leicester.
Demands on the building industry for more versatile buildings that can be constructed in shorter timescales, with higher levels of thermal performance and energy saving, and which allow for more creativity in architectural design have led to the development of an increasing number of innovative on-site and off-site construction methods. Timber frame and light steel framing feature strongly.
However, somewhat surprisingly, uptake of off-site fabricated systems by housing providers has been relatively slow, and this has been attributed to a lack of standards and guidance covering these innovative construction methods, and uncertainty among insurers and lenders about durability and resilience.
Step up PermaRock who, in the 1990s, foresaw the need to develop insulated render systems to meet the future challenges of innovative building methods. PermaRock became the first company to achieve accreditation through the BRE Certification scheme for insulated render systems for use on timber and metal frame buildings.
The BRE accreditation not only confirms these systems' suitability for use on frame construction, as well as for more traditional forms - masonry, dense and no-fines concrete, blockwork - but also confirms these systems are durable and will perform even under very severe exposure conditions.
PermaRock insulated render systems meet the enhanced performance standards being incorporated into the new Loss Prevention Standard for Innovative Dwellings that is being developed by BRE and is expected to be launched in late 2005 to satisfy the concerns of the Council of Mortgage Lenders and Association of British Insurers.
PermaRock insulated render systems can be attached directly to the external surface of a timber or light steel frame wall, offering a fast-track warm wall construction that simplifies detailing and meets the technical requirements of Zurich insurance.
Similarly, systems can be constructed with the inclusion of a drained cavity, in accordance with the requirements of National House-Building Council, and PermaRock systems for frame construction also include a fully tested cavity fire barrier giving 60 minutes' integrity while maintaining the cavity drainage requirements.
PermaRock at Filbert Street
A PermaRock insulated render system was recently utilised on a metal framing construction (overclad with cement particle boarding) on the redevelopment of Filbert Street, formerly Leicester City Football Club's ground (pictured), which now provides new student accommodation serving both of Leicester's universities.
The architect, AFL, specified materials for Filbert Village that could achieve current Part L building requirements and required a fire-safe insulation due to the buildings' intended use. A mineral fibre insulated render system provided the ideal fire-safe material and also achieved the required U-values.
A white through-coloured render was chosen to compliment and contrast with the other materials chosen for the external elevations (red brick and metal cladding). The insulated render system also allowed for the creation of a number of features such as recessed panels and curved walls.
The design had to fit within the existing site boundaries and to set the benchmark for the next phase of residential regeneration within the area, and thanks to the use of PermaRock's innovative solutions, the future's looking good.