Gulson Road, Coventry

Introduction

Gulson Road is a new state of the art student accommodation block in the heart of Coventry’s university district. With 462 rooms, shared study areas, a common room, gym and staff management suite all set over eight storeys, fire safety was of the utmost importance.

With this in mind, the architect, Stride Treglown, specified that rock mineral wool should be used to insulate the rainscreen façade to comply with building regulations, which ban the use of combustible materials on all buildings over 18m tall.

The Challenge

Knauf Insulation’s Technical Services Team undertook 3D U-value calculations on behalf of main contractors Robertson Construction and recommended 150mm Rocksilk® RainScreen Slab to achieve a U-value of 0.18W/m²K.

Rocksilk® RainScreen Slab has a thermal conductivity of just 0.034W/mK. It is non-combustible with the best possible Euroclass A1 Reaction to Fire Classification rating, so will not contribute to the development or spread of fire should it occur. It is BBA certified for use in high rise buildings and the broadest range of build-ups of any rainscreen solution on the market.

As well as exceptional thermal performance and fire safety, Rocksilk® RainScreen Slab provides high levels of sound absorption.

The Solution

Rocksilk® RainScreen Slab is easy to install correctly. The slabs interlock and adapt to minor imperfections in the substrate eliminating air leakage, which can reduce thermal and acoustic performance. It is also robust and durable with a water repellent additive to preserve its integrity while exposed during construction.

Rocksilk® RainScreen Slab is manufactured with ECOSE® Technology, Knauf Insulation’s unique plant-based binder. It is low-carbon and generates low-VOCs, so it can be used to create better buildings – for occupiers, for installers and for the planet. ECOSE® provides the proven sustainability performance the industry needs, backed up by extensive testing and certification.

Products made with ECOSE® Technology generate low levels of dust and VOCs (volatile organic compounds) and have been awarded the Eurofins (Gold) certificate for Indoor Air Comfort.

Results

Thanks to the enhanced thermal and acoustic performance from Knauf Insulation’s Rocksilk® RainScreen Slab, students at Gulson Road will enjoy warm, quiet, safe and sustainable flats to study, socialise and sleep in.