Refurb Projects August 2017

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COMMENT A Self-Builders guide to Sustainable Property Construction If the government is to reduce the UK’s greenhouse gas emissions - as outlined in the Climate Change Act - by at least 80% of 1990 levels by 2050, it’s not only largescale developers that need to remain committed to progressing energy-smart construction processes - smaller, independent builders can play their part, too, writes Ben Warren, Managing Director at global building materials manufacturer, Baumit UK. Athird of the UK’s carbon emissions originate from heating draughty buildings, a fact worth retaining when designing a property with energy efficiency as its key factor. Before any plans are drawn-up, however, and in lieu of materials being specified, the first thing a selfbuilder requires in order to construct a sustainable home is the right mind-set. They have to begin the project intent on creating a property that will be theirs to reside in for the rest of their lives. This attitude of domestic permanence is more prevalent in Europe than the UK. In Austria, where Baumit has its HQ, the sustainable mentality is ingrained in the culture – from the food they eat, to the properties they build. Many Austrian restaurants will not source food outside a 15-mile radius, whilst builders on average construct houses to a 0.2 W/m² U- value, a higher tightness level than the country’s 0.4 W/m² U-value regulation for new homes. Their housebuilders’ general view seems to be: ‘I’ll build my property with the right materials and employ the correct methods in order to minimise energy consumption’. By going beyond the call of duty to construct homes which excel in terms of thermal performance, building regulations regarding energy-efficiency have little relevance to the Austrian selfbuilder - they view sustainability as a matter of course. FEAT OF CLAY Having discussed the mentality - which materials make for a successful sustainable build? A timber-frame shell offers an established, quick and reasonably energy-efficient solution, but if we are to pursue the Austrian model and construct homes which exceed thermal regulations, alternative technology is worth considering. Porotherm, a clay block walling system, is a popular infrastructure choice in homes across Europe. It’s lightweight in construction and extremely thermally efficient. Porotherm only requires one course of bricks, rather than the two used in cavity wall construction – the favoured building method in about 90% of largescale building developments in the UK. A combination of high-spec external wall insulation and Porothem can produce a spectacular thermal envelope. At a development in Norwich, Baumit’s OpenSystem - a thermally-superior EWI solution which uses unique open-air technology to allow walls to breathe - was used in conjunction with Porotherm to achieve Passive House performance: 0.15 W/m², in all 14 homes. Thermal efficiency doesn’t guarantee a home’s comfort and wellbeing, however. Applying a standard Expanded Polystyrene (EPS) system to clay block walling may well result in good levels of airtightness, but it would be akin to wrapping a house in plastic: walls wouldn’t breathe and moisture would build-up as a result. The same moisture retention would occur with an acrylic top coat applied to an EPS system. To prevent such occurrences, the construction of the wall from the inside-out needs to be considered. OpenSystem’s perforations and the application of a breathable topcoat such as Nanapor, a mineralic and highly vapourpermeable technology found in Baumit paints and renders, offers free movement of water vapour through the wall and exits through the whole system. Lime-based products when applied to walls enhance a building’s interior sustainability. Lime is a very adaptable product, offering more flexibility in material, enabling it to accommodate structural movement. It also acts as a moisture buffer. When working in conjunction with a clay block walling system, it absorbs and releases moisture in a regulatory fashion. SENSE OF WELLBEING ‘Multi-comfort’ is a phrase currently applied to sustainable building which suggests sensory aspects such as sound, touch, light and colour are all important factors in increasing levels of wellbeing as well as thermal efficiency inside homes. In terms of paint, colour as well as consistency is important. As with oil paints, acrylic coverings can contain VOCs which emit a noxious vapour and strong odour that can lead to headaches and nausea for a building’s occupants. Baumit produces a number of mineral-based paint products that are kinder to the environment and the senses of those living within the walls to which it is applied. Embarking on a sustainable build requires a massive investment, and not just in monetary terms. Every detail, however small, should be pored over as if it were the most important: time should not be spared on any aspect of the project. Among the more lateral questions to consider at a building’s design stage might be: where does the sun rise and set? This will determine the amount of thermal gain through glass and help regulate comfort levels in a conservatory, for example, which can be unbearably hot in summer if the style or size of panes is left to chance. It’s a reminder that a home’s year-round interior comfort not only depends on its resistance to cold in winter; its ability to deflect heat in summer is just as important, particularly with climate change’s warming effect so reflective in current, global temperatures. Finally, once plans are drawn-up and approved and a programme of building works has been agreed, there’s only one thing a sustainable self-builder has in mind - get on with the job and get it done. Having highlighted the thermal benefits of Baumit’s OpenSystem when combined with a Porotherm clay block walling, aside from the comfort and wellbeing it creates, it’s also a rapid-build alternative to cavity wall construction methods. With only one course of bricks required and the EWI in place, work can begin on a building’s interior, which ultimately leads to reduced on-site working times and energy consumption. It’s a process that guarantees a project’s sustainability from beginning to end. Web: www.baumit.com 10 AUGUST <strong>2017</strong>, REFURBISHMENT PROJECTS
Overbury completes Kew refurbishment PROJECTS National fit out and refurbishment specialist Overbury has completed a £780,000 refurbishment at The National Archives in Kew, London to create a vibrant and versatile new public space. The 4,700 sq ft project by Overbury represents the biggest change in the 40-year-old building in a decade. The refurbishment project, which started in January, is one of the ways that The National Archives is redefining its public areas and breathing new life into the space. The National Archives is a non-ministerial government department, and is the official archive of the UK government. With over 180 kilometres of shelving, it is also home to some of the nation’s most iconic documents dating back more than 1,000 years, including the Domesday Book, Shakespeare’s will and tweets from Downing Street. The refurbishment saw the upgrade of the building’s mechanical, electrical and data infrastructure, as well as the creation of a double-height auditorium and new modern, open plan areas for reading and research. Transforming any public space in an occupied building with historic gravitas is a big task, says Bob Banister, managing director at Overbury: “We’re used to working in sensitive environments, and throughout the years we’ve worked within many listed buildings, however this project posed an entirely unique challenge. Managing the potential risk of water, fire or dust damage and maintaining the integrity of the documents in the building were principle concerns, as was keeping the archives open to the public with as little fuss as possible.” ▲ The double-height auditorium which is available for provate hire. The entrance to the renovated Natonal Archives. ▼ HIGHLIGHTS OF THE PROJECT INCLUDED: • 2.5 tonnes of data cable was safely removed and disposed of, supporting the buildings upgrade to fibre optic data connectivity • It took 246 hours to remove 8 tonnes of concrete, which was cut with a hydraulic, high-pressure diamond saw • Building a 250 seat doubleheight auditorium that The National Archives will be able rent for private lectures and workshops, opening up a new revenue source • Exposing 2,066 sq ft of the original coffered concrete ceiling to highlight its architectural merit • All construction materials used throughout the project had to be non-organic to deter moths • 95% (7 tonnes) of all construction waste was recycled. Another consideration was making sure that the experience of visitors was not hampered by the refurbishment – a total of 2,700 hours were worked after closing time to ensure minimal disturbance to visitors and staff. In addition, the project team made sure that the reading rooms could be used throughout which meant changing the access routes regularly, and in some weeks daily. Noise, dust and logistics were all carefully managed to ensure that the project wasn’t an inconvenience. Bob continues: “Accommodating researchers, students and employees of The National Archives was a cornerstone of the project. We needed to remain as flexible as possible and make sure that the public still had a great experience when visiting the archives. The overall success of the project is a real credit to the entire consultant and subcontractor team and we hope that The National Archives and community will enjoy the space for many years to come.” Lee Oliver, head of venue management for the National Archives, adds: “This major new space is exciting as it will change the way visitors engage with The National Archives’ collections on site. It allows us to expand our public programme and increase the range, capacity and frequency of public talks, events and other activities. This will in turn allow us to serve a wider audience including more families, students and teachers, community and arts groups as well as national and international researchers.” Web: www.overbury.com REFURBISHMENT PROJECTS, AUGUST <strong>2017</strong> 11
Page 1: REFURB PROJECTS THE JOURNAL OF REPA
Page 4 and 5: PROJECT Historic London Church Rest
Page 6 and 7: ENERGY EFFICIENCY Improving comfort
Page 8 and 9: SCHOOL BUILDING Equipping schools f
Page 10 and 11: INSULATION Quiet Please Noise nuisa
Page 14 and 15: SOCIAL HOUSING Wireless emergency l
Page 16 and 17: PROJECT New York’s Whitby Hotel N
Page 18 and 19: CONSERVATION Historic buildings cou
Page 20 and 21: PROJECTS Iconic London church roof
Page 22 and 23: PROJECT Reinvigoration of 1930’s
Page 24 and 25: PROJECT Pathé Films building trans
Page 26 and 27: SCHOOL BUILDING Great performance a
Page 28 and 29: FLOORING Trampoline Park refurbishm
Page 30 and 31: PROJECT Architecturally Ambitious F
Page 32 and 33: ROOFING Complex Installation Sika-T
Page 34 and 35: SECURITY MATTERS Safeguarding high
Page 36 and 37: FIRE & SAFETY Fire Safety at Great
Page 38 and 39: FIRE SAFETY SPRINKLERS: A case of b
Page 40 and 41: PRODUCTS & SERVICES DIRECTORY BUYER
Page 42 and 43: PROJECTS e Sustainability/Energy Ef
Page 44: THE UK’S ONLY TIMBER EVENT CPD CE

Refurb Projects August 2017

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