This new build Primary School replaces the previous infant and junior school (located at two individual sites) and is in a class of its own. Designed by Neath Port Talbot County Borough Council, Pen Afan Primary School is a fascinating building, made up of impressive circular pods.
Jonathan Morris of Neath Port Talbot County Borough Council, comments:
“We required an external wall insulation system with render finish to compliment the metal stud frame external wall structure. The render system needed to have excellent insulating properties to ensure we achieved the high level of thermal performance required. It therefore made sense to insulate externally, to prevent any problems with cold bridging and simplify *air tightness detailing.”
“A lot of time and research went into designing the school, focusing on inclusivity and sustainability - essentially tailoring the design dependant on how it was to be used. We wanted to ensure we designed a one-off bespoke school that was different and interesting, and not just your average square school building.”
Martyn Williams, of Atkin Trade Specialists, comments, "We installed both the steel frame Metsec system and StoTherm Mineral system. We specified StoTherm Mineral because it is a system we know and trust. Our client asked us to specify an external wall insulation system and Sto was our system of choice.”
The non-combustible StoTherm Mineral system offers high thermal performance and unrivalled levels of fire protection.
Martyn continues, “This is a very unusual project. The pods have curved walls which are joined together with zinc walls and the StoTherm Mineral system is adhesively fixed to the Metsec system.”
The overall project cost an estimated £4.2 million and was completed in August 2009. Interserve were the main contractors
*An external wall insulation system will certainly contribute to air tightness in many projects. It should not, however, be used as the sole air tightness barrier.
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