INCA 2011 Awards for Saint-Gobain Weber

Published by Jackie Biggin for Weber in Housing

Saint-Gobain Weber, theUKformulator and manufacturer of innovative construction mortars and systems, has taken the INCA 2011 Project of the Year award for the spectacularCruddasParkregeneration scheme inNewcastle. CruddasParkalso received the Domestic Refurbishment – High Rise award.

In the extensive four-yearCruddasParkscheme, the weber.therm XM EWI system was specified for the refurbishment of five eye-catching high rise residential tower blocks.  Dramatic white polar dash render facades are in striking contrast to the blue detail panels coloured using a special blue acrylic finish, allowing natural light to illuminate the blocks and creating a crisp render finish. This is a far different visual landscape. These aesthetics have been complemented by improvements that deliver upgraded thermal efficiencies and reduced energy costs for the residents.  These 1960’s hard to treat properties have been a long standing priority for the provision of affordable, edge of city centre living within a rejuvenated 4.5 hectare area of green space.

The project is backed by Newcastle City Council, Bridging NewcastleGateshead and New Deal for Communities.  The main contractor is Wates Living Space and the weber.therm XM EWI was installed by Astley Facades Group Limited

Dave Woodcock, commercial manager at Wates Living Space, is proud of the complex project.  “Residents now have technically advanced homes and the whole area has changed dramatically for the better.  The weber.therm XM EWI system has proved the right choice and achieves good looks and a great thermal upgrade.” The U-value of walls in the 15-storey towers prior to refurbishment was in the region of 1.45 W/m²K.  This has been reduced to a more comfortable 0.29 W/m²K with the application of weber.therm XM EWI.

Steve McGowan, regional manager for Astley Facades, is enthusiastic about the visual and technical merits of the system.  “Using weber.therm EWI makes no impact on internal room dimensions, dramatically changes the thermal qualities of a property and provides an excellent weather proof finish.”

The Insulated Render & Cladding Association (INCA) is the recognised trade association for the external wall insulation industry (EWI) and represents system designers, and specialist installers. The Annual Conference held this month attracted 240 delegates from local authorities, housing associations, architects, consultants and contractors.

INCA chairman David Harrison acknowledged how its members lead the way in the EWI market.  “External wall insulation has a bright future and the coming 12 months promise to be particularly exciting with the launch of the Green Deal in October 2012.  INCA members have a crucial role to play in improving energy efficiency to meet theUK’s carbon reduction targets.”