At 73m, Thames Quarter is Reading’s second tallest building. It will include 315 built-to-rent apartments, a hub for tech start-ups, a cinema, dining rooms, roof terraces and a residents’ lounge overlooking the Thames.

With this in mind, the architect, Stride Treglown, specified that Rock Mineral Wool should be used to insulate the rainscreen façade to comply with building regulations, which ban the use of combustible materials on all buildings over 18m tall.

Knauf Insulation’s Technical Support Team undertook 3D U-value calculations on behalf of main contractors Robertson Construction and recommended 150mm Rocksilk® RainScreen Slab to achieve a U-value of 0.18W/m2K.

Rocksilk® RainScreen Slab has a thermal conductivity of just 0.034W/mK. It is non-combustible with the best possible Euroclass A1 Reaction to Fire Classification rating, so will not contribute to the development or spread of fire should it occur. It is BBA certified for use in high rise buildings and the broadest range of build-ups of any rainscreen solution on the market.

As well as exceptional thermal performance and fire safety, Rocksilk® RainScreen Slab provides high levels of sound absorption.

Rocksilk® RainScreen Slab is easy to install correctly. The slabs interlock and adapt to minor imperfections in the substrate eliminating air leakage, which can reduce thermal and acoustic performance. It is also robust and durable with a water repellent additive to preserve its integrity while exposed during construction.

Rocksilk® RainScreen Slab is manufactured with ECOSE® Technology, Knauf Insulation’s unique bio-based binder that contains no added formaldehyde or phenol. It is made from natural raw materials that are rapidly renewable, and is 70% less energy-intensive to manufacture than traditional binders, so it is more environmentally-friendly.

Products made with ECOSE® Technology generate low levels of dust and VOCs (volatile organic compounds) and have been awarded the Eurofins (Gold) certificate for Indoor Air Comfort.

Thanks to the enhanced thermal and acoustic performance from Knauf Insulation’s Rocksilk® RainScreen Slab, students at Gulson Road will enjoy warm, quiet, safe and sustainable flats to study, socialise and sleep in.