Page 16 - Metal-Matters-issue-10

Bespoke insulation for

The early involvement of the regional specification Alan Charters, executive director of capital
Aston University manager in the project and their relationship with the development at Aston University, said: “Sustainability
architects and client at the concept stage made for a
is at the very heart of all we do at Aston University.
very smooth delivery and ensured the required U-value
of 0.22W/m2K would be achieved without the need to Through our research, institutional environmental
performance, and through our graduates we are
re-design elements later in the project. working to develop the technologies and the people
to lead the delivery of the low carbon economy for
In addition, all of Knauf Insulation’s Earthwool the West Midlands region, the UK and beyond. The
rock mineral wool products deliver exceptional new EBRI building will enable the team to expand their
“BREEAM ‘excellent’ “BREEAM ‘excellent’ rating was a key requirement environmental performance and are manufactured research as well as supporting businesses within the
using the innovative ECOSE® Technology - a
for this project. As a European centre for bioenergy
region and beyond. We are delighted with the results:
rating was a key research, Aston University was keen to maintain the revolutionary, bio-based, formaldehyde-free binder an iconic building that conducts sustainable research in
technology that is based on rapidly renewable
sustainable ethos of EBRI within the building itself
a truly sustainable environment.”
requirement for this and make improvements wherever they could be materials, rather than petro-based chemicals. This was
a key reason that the insulation was specified for this
accommodated.”
project.” During the early stages of the project, Knauf exceptionally sustainable project.
“The visible insulation has attracted a lot of attention
Insulation worked closely with Associated Architects
to specify the correct rainscreen insulation product to to the project. The involvement of Knauf Insulation at
meet the necessary requirements for a large glazed a personal level and as a company helped to maintain
Knauf Insulation has been involved in the design
and supply of a bespoke insulation product for façade wrapping round the first floor. The insulation the intention from design through to execution,”
the ambitious construction of the low energy and layer is a fundamental component of any successful comments Alan Miller.
sustainably managed, European Bioenergy Research rainscreen cladding system and rock mineral wool
Institute (EBRI) at Aston University in Birmingham. insulation delivers a number of advantages over
rigid foam boards in this type of application, so
The University’s new £16.5million EBRI building is Knauf Insulation’s Earthwool RainScreen HD Slab
funded by the European Regional Development in a bespoke 120mm size was ideal for the project,
Fund. This European Centre of Excellence in bio- delivering exceptional thermal, fire and acoustic
energy provides new ‘topic’ laboratory research performance.
facilities, as well as a 0.4MWel (electric megawatt)
small scale industrial power plant that will extract On the design of the façade, Alan continues: “Due
energy from multiple low-grade bio-wastes and to its visibility through the glazing, a lot of attention
acts as a demonstrator of EBRI’s innovative bio- was paid to the appearance of the insulation and
energy technologies. The scheme incorporates the its fixings. To successfully mitigate the differing
existing portico of the Art Centre building, retaining dimensions of the constituent elements of glass
the original 1920s façade and combining it with new channel, blockwork substrate and insulation, the
modern facilities constructed at the rear. insulation was specified with the help of Knauf
Insulation’s regional specification manager and
Alan Miller, architectural assistant at Associated Technical Advice and Support Centre (TASC), to
Architects comments: “The project is largely new match the module of the glass channels. This
build on the site of a previous building. The retained resulted in a smaller than standard slab size, allowing
frontage of the historic building has been used to for the edge of the slabs to align behind the joints
form the primary entrance for the semi public areas. in the glazed façade, providing not only the thermal
The new laboratories and office accommodation are performance required, but also an aesthetically
housed beyond, within the new build areas. pleasing appearance.”

16 The EBRI building at Aston University. 17
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Image © Tim Cornbill