A double EWI win is being celebrated by Aliva UK after being recognised with two prestigious 2021 INCA awards for helping to transform 1960s concrete framed office blocks into high end residential use with greatly improved U-Values in Warrington and Crosby.

Palmyra House scooped the winner’s title in the best refurbishment category – insulation/brick/clay/ceramic or stone finish – at the annual event held in Birmingham on Friday (26th November).

Aliva’s External Wall Insulation System transformed an old, dysfunctional Warrington office block into high-end residential apartment blocks and commercial spaces for Torus Developments.

Briefed by INCO Contractors, Aliva UK provided a cost-effective External Wall Insulation System to refurbish and thermally improve the existing 1960s concrete framed office block.

With architect Whiteley Eaves Ltd, the system had to achieve the aesthetic that had been approved by local planning officers including lightweight brick slips, feature cills, heads and reveals to replicate stonework as well as a feature parapet.

The existing building was formed by a concrete frame in need of concrete repairs, with a brick infill wall with a minimal cavity behind which provided a poor existing U-Value of 1.2W/m2k.

Aliva UK provided its Termok8 Minerale System comprising of 90mm Mineral Wool insulation, reinforced cementitious basecoat render and a lightweight brick slip to achieve 0.28W/m2k.

Aliva UK worked with Hamilton (Building Contractors) Limited to carry out the installation of the External Wall Insulation System. The lightweight slips consisted of a red multi and a buff-coloured slip and feature heads, cills and reveals. They were complemented by projecting feature bands that were formed using a thicker section of Mineral Wool insulation with a textured finish and a taped joint to replicate a stone joint.

Aliva’s EWI system at Crosby Gardens was also singled out for praise with a highly commended in the same category. With architect Falconer Chester Hall and working again with Hamilton (Building Contractors) Limited, Aliva UK were tasked by LaMorada Construction to provide a cost-effective External Wall Insulation System to refurbish and thermally improve an existing 1960s concrete framed office block in Crosby, Sefton, that was being transformed into high-end residential use.

The existing building was formed by a concrete frame in need of concrete repairs, with a brick infill wall with a minimal cavity behind that provided a poor existing U-Value of 1.3W/m2k.

Aliva UK provided its Termok8 Minerale System comprising of 100mm Mineral Wool insulation, reinforced cementitious basecoat render and a lightweight brick slip to achieve 0.18W/m2k.

The lightweight slips consisted of a red multi slip with a pressed aluminium feature band at each slab level, supplied by Aliva UK, all of which were approved by the local authority’s planning department and the client. A new penthouse was also added to the top level of the building that was finished with Aliva UK’s Textured EWI in white.

James Ormerod, MD of Aliva UK, said:

“In a post COP26 landscape, the energy efficiency of buildings is under the spotlight and as we strive towards a zero carbon built environment, we understand that architects and contractors need energy saving solutions to help reduce a project’s carbon footprint.

“Here we have two award-winning examples demonstrating how our EWI ranges with brick slip solutions can transform tired 1960s office blocks visually and environmentally to improve energy efficiency. We are incredibly proud of these U-Values and both projects hold BBA Certificate 11/4841.”

Robert Storton, Managing Director of Hamilton, said:

“We were thrilled to join our partners at Aliva UK to win the refurbishment – insulation/brick/clay/ceramic or stone finish – category.

“It was a demanding project because planning conditions meant the finish had to replicate brick and required feature heads, sills and reveals to replicate stonework.

“The building’s U-value was reduced from 1.2 to just 0.28W/m2k as a result of the work.

“These awards represent the finest operators in the industry and the fact that we were judged the best of the best among such strong competition is really something to write home about.”

For more details about Aliva UK’s award-winning EWI and brick slip solutions visit: https://alivauk.com/what-we-do/ewi-and-brick-slips/