The Quadrus Centre, South Tyneside

Client: South Tyneside Council
Architect: Parr Architects Ltd
Contractor: Bowmer & Kirkland
Value: £5.3 million development
Type of works: Kingspan Kooltherm^® rigid-phenolic insulation was chosen to use behind The Quadrus Centre’s striking façade. Kingspan Kooltherm^® K15 Rainscreen Board was chosen for the built-up rainscreen cladding system, giving the building a distinctive appearance.

The Quadrus Centre, a stunning landmark that symbolises the economic regeneration of South Tyneside, has utilised Kingspan Kooltherm^® premium performance, CFC/HCFC-free, rigid-phenolic insulation, behind its striking façade.

The £5.3 million gateway development was built by South Tyneside Council, and leased to Tyneside Economic Development Company (TEDCO). The Quadrus Centre provides 45 office units of various sizes, designed to help small service industry enterprises to thrive until they are large enough to relocate to larger premises.

The iconic structure, which rivals other spectacular North East regional landmarks such as The Sage building, Millennium Tyne Bridge and Angel of the North, is one of the first buildings to be seen when approaching the borough from the south. The Quadrus Centre provides an environment that encourages businesses located there to help each other by exchanging knowledge.

The development is funded from a number of public sector sources including South Tyneside Metropolitan Borough Council, Tyne Wear Partnership’s Single Programme, European Regional Development Fund and One North East’s Single Regeneration Budget.

A total of 1,980m² of 40mm Kingspan Kooltherm^® K15 Rainscreen Board was chosen for the built-up rainscreen cladding system that gives The Quadrus Centre a distinctive appearance.

Amanda de Lussey, of Parr Architects Ltd, who specified the Kingspan Insulation product as part of the design and build project, said: ‘The board is lightweight and comes in a compact thickness, while achieving the required U-value. This made it an ideal type of insulation for a built-up rainscreen system such as this.’

Kingspan Kooltherm^® K15 Rainscreen Board, which is CFC/HCFC-free, has a thermal conductivity as low as 0.022W/mK. It addresses the safety requirements of a public building with a Class O fire rating, and negligible smoke emission. The product is also unaffected by air movement, and is resistant to the passage of water vapour.