We are very proud to see two of our EWI systems play a part in creating the aesthetic of a building transformation in Folkestone that has a very special meaning to a local developer.
Master Williams Place sees the upper floors of a boarded up ‘eye sore’ city centre office building transformed into 32 apartments for rent.
The run-down building has been transformed and renamed as Master Williams Place in memory of the developer William Brown’s son, William Brown Jr, who tragically died aged seven in a hit and run car incident in 2023. The transformed building carries a tribute image to William Brown Jr.
William Brown is a developer who is committed to bringing disused buildings in his hometown back to life and has transformed this ‘blot’ on the local landscape into something more beautiful as part of Folkestone’s built environment.
The apartments include one and two bedroom properties to rent, with a focus on affordability for local people. They will also help increase footfall in the area and contribute to the regeneration of the town.
Aliva was very proud to see two of its EWI systems form part of this building, which pays tribute to William Brown Jr at the same time as being part of his father’s vision to help regenerate his hometown.
This special project includes our AlivaClassicM textured EWI system and our AlivaFlexM lightweight acrylate brick slip system, which has been used as accent detailing by the sides of the windows in both horizontal and landscape orientation. Both the rock mineral wool insulation systems are A2,s1,d0 fire rated and BBA certified.
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The developer wanted a clean, crisp, smooth aesthetic which has been realised with Aliva’s cream EWI textured system, chosen as it would lighten and brighten the appearance of this run-down eyesore office block. It also helps create a facade fitting for a new statement apartment development as part of the developer’s vision to rejuvenate the area.
The choice of the AlivaFlexM lightweight EWI system in a dark grey/blue finish created accent detailing to bring notes of flair to the building, yet still in-keeping with the street scene and sympathetic to the Grade II listed Folkestone Town Hall which is opposite.
Ben Edmondson, Aliva UK’s Technical Director EWI Systems, said “Together a total of 750sqm of our EWI systems have created a stylish and sustainable facade solution that have created visual identity and thermal efficiency outputs for this office block transformation, which now sits proudly as part of the local built environment and as a tribute marker to William Brown Jr. We are very proud to play a part in this special building.”
Developer William Brown said:“EWI was the perfect solution for this project. The system eliminated the need for a cavity, along with the cavity closers and associated fire-stopping measures that would otherwise have been required. The range of insulation panel thicknesses also enabled us to achieve the inset reveals desired by the planners, creating the distinctive brick-slip detailing.
“The brick slips themselves were incredibly easy to work with. Being much lighter than traditional brick slips, they were simple to handle and install across the site, helping to improve efficiency throughout the build.
“From a performance perspective, the thermal benefits were excellent. The refurbishment achieved a B EPC rating across all of the new apartments, which is a very strong result for a retrofit project and provides lasting benefits for future tenants.
“Above all, the building needed to make a statement. It was created as a tribute to my late son, William Ian Brown, and I believe we succeeded in delivering a striking and memorable development while also realising the many practical and performance advantages offered by the EWI system.”
Above: Developer William Brown with daughter Pearl outside Master Williams Place
