EWI contractor - Hamilton (Building Contractors) Limited
Architect - Whiteley Eaves Ltd
Products - Termok8 Minerale System and lightweight brick slip

The brief
Aliva UK’s External Wall Insulation System has transformed an old, dysfunctional office block into high-end residential apartment blocks and commercial spaces for Torus Developments.

Briefed by INCO Contractors, Aliva UK provided a cost-effective External Wall Insulation System to refurbish and thermally improve an existing 1960s concrete framed office block in the heart of Warrington.

The system had to achieve the aesthetic that had been approved by local planning officers including lightweight brick slips, feature cills, heads and reveals to replicate stonework as well as a feature parapet.

What Aliva did
Aliva UK worked closely with INCO Contractors and introduced Hamilton (Building Contractors) Limited to carry out the installation of the External Wall Insulation System.

The existing building was formed by a concrete frame in need of concrete repairs, with a brick infill wall with a minimal cavity behind which provided a poor existing U-Value of 1.2W/m2k.

Aliva UK provided its Termok8 Minerale System comprising of 90mm Mineral Wool insulation, reinforced cementitious basecoat render and a lightweight brick slip to achieve 0.28W/m2k.

The lightweight slips consisted of a red multi and a buff-coloured slip and feature heads, cills and reveals. They were complemented by the projecting feature bands that were formed using a thicker section of Mineral Wool insulation with a textured finish and a taped joint to replicate a stone joint. All of which was approved by the local authority planning department and the client.

The area of Palmyra Square has been transformed with the addition of this newly refurbished building, completed in February 2021 and which has BBA Certificate 11/4841.

What makes it special
This project was recognised in the INCA 2021 awards, scooping the winner’s title in the best refurbishment category – insulation/brick/clay/ceramic or stone finish.

Robert Storton, Managing Director of Hamilton, said:
“We were thrilled to join our partners at Aliva UK to win the refurbishment – insulation/brick/clay/ceramic or stone finish – category.

“It was a demanding project because planning conditions meant the finish had to replicate brick and required feature heads, sills and reveals to replicate stonework.

“The building’s U-value was reduced from 1.2 to just 0.28W/m2k as a result of the work.

“These awards represent the finest operators in the industry and the fact that we were judged the best of the best among such strong competition is really something to write home about.”