ST Silkolitt silicone render from Alumasc has helped to create a welcoming and contemporary facade for a new special school in the West Midlands.

The new £6.4 million Old Park Special School in Dudley has been rebuilt on the ultra-modern new campus at Thorns Community Learning Village. Constructed by Thomas Vale Construction, Old Park caters for children and young people aged 3 to 19 years, with severe and profound learning difficulties. The new building has a hydrotherapy pool, sensory and therapy rooms and purpose built outdoor spaces.

The school was designed by Dudley Council’s in-house designers who wanted to achieve a finish that was modern, attractive and homely. The council selected Silkolitt over competing products, following a demonstration of the system and a visit to a previously completed Alumasc project which allowed them to evaluate Silkolitt’s quality and cost effectiveness. Roseville Plastering Limited of Bilston, installed approximately 561m2 of ST Silkolitt 1.5 mm rolled texture render in a buff finish over new blockwork on the entrance and walls of the building.

The designer for Dudley MBC commented: “We are very pleased with the result we got with Silkolitt in this particular colour - it has created exactly the finish we wanted for the new school.”

Alumasc’s ST thin-coat Silicone renders are used as a contemporary finish to new-build applications and the re-modelling of existing facades in both render only and external wall insulation applications. High performing Silicone renders are highly water-repellent, vapour permeable and weather resistant. The Silkolitt silicone finish is available with a rolled texture in a wide range of colours. It provides a durable decorative finish that protects the structural fabric of the building and is highly resistant to impact damage.