An innovative, energy-efficient SIPS structure has been constructed to replace the previous Trafalgar Road Baptist Church, which was demolished to make way for a more modern, congregation-friendly church.
The new building’s walls consist of 162mm structural insulation panels (SIP), covered by a 206mm insulated SIP roof which feature solar PV cells. The SIP walls and roof provide enhanced insulation and air tightness, maximising the benefit of the micro-renewable energy source and making it extremely cost efficient to maintain and run.
Andrew Orriss, Managing Director of Innovaré Systems, commented: “Innovaré’s I-SIP system was selected because it provided a perfect solution for the development of the new church building. Places of worship generally require extensive spans to accommodate a large number of people, while providing a peaceful sanctuary and complimentary acoustics, and the flexibility of structural insulated panels facilitate this. The thermal insulation creates a comfortable, warm environment, while keeping heating costs to an absolute minimum.”
The use of SIPs to construct the church reduced time on site when compared to traditional building methods, with the architects selecting SIPs because of the system’s strong U value.
Andrew Orriss continued: “We’re beginning to see some interesting opportunities for the application of our i-SIP infill system. As well as offering a low carbon solution for residential housing, i-SIPs systems provide a range of benefits for municipal buildings. The recent completion of Fiveways Children’s Centre and Lister Hospital Maternity Unit, which were both constructed with Innovaré’s i-SIPs product, demonstrates just how much the market for structured insulated panels has evolved in the UK over recent years. Our work with Trafalgar Road Baptist Church is further proof of the benefits SIPS can offer for public buildings.”
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