Architect: 3D Glasgow
Type of works: design and manufacture of Europanel composite wall panels.
Eurobond’s flagship product, Europanel, is used extensively in the large-scale development and regeneration of the Gorbals neighbourhood in Glasgow, Scotland. Chosen for its superb architectural spanning capabilities and unrivalled fire safety credentials, it provides the panelling for a number of new residential apartment blocks as part of the ongoing regeneration of the area.
The Gorbals is an area of Glasgow which has seen various attempts of regeneration occurring since the late 1960s. The latest round of regeneration will rid the area of its high volume of tower blocks and replace them with modern low-rise flats. Europanel is specified with its stone-wool core providing a variety of benefits including superb acoustic-, thermal- and fire-performance. Local residents will be presented with a safe and energy efficient building in line with the 2003 Building Energy Performance Directive.
The use of Europanel in this development signifies a commitment to maximising the sustainability and safety of each building, breaking the cycle of previous failed regeneration attempts. Europanel is tested to BS476 Part 22, for fire resistance, and independently approved for reaction to fire by the Loss Prevention Council to LPS1181 and LPS1208. Thanks to its non-combustible Rockwool core, it provides some of the best fire-performance available from a panel system, essential for the densely populated residential buildings of the Gorbals.
Angus Barclay at architects 3D Glasgow, said: “Incorporating fire safety was paramount, and the original idea was to render the developments; but after further discussion it was deemed more suitable to employ the Europanel product. Not only does it provide unrivalled fire resistance when compared to rendering or alternative composite panels, it provided us the freedom and design quality needed to carry out our original concept.
“Fire resistance and a pleasing design were essential features for the development. A modernisation of the buildings’ exterior was necessary in order to give the area a contemporary look., the secret joint fixing offered by Europanel enabled this and gives the residents a more enjoyable place to live.”
The total recyclability of Europanel means that all parts of the product can be recycled at the end of use, and entered back into the manufacturing process to make brand new materials.