To meet the funding requirements of the Welsh Government, the new building needed to attain a rating of ‘Excellent’ under the BREEAM sustainability standard. This was achieved with a building envelope specification from us, which included Kooltherm K103 Floorboard and QuadCore wall and roof insulated panels.

Ainsley Gommon Architects and Read Construction collaborated on the design from an early stage in the planning process. Following guidance from the Welsh Government, the project team focused the design approach around an energy hierarchy, first looking to minimise demand from the building. To achieve this, they developed a specification combining Kooltherm K103 with QuadCore KS1000RW Wall Panel, QuadCore AWP Wall Panel and QuadCore Topdek Roof Panel for the pitched roof.

The combination of our wall and roof panels and floor insulation boards allowed the project team to target excellent levels of thermal performance, with both Kooltherm K103 boards and QuadCore insulated panels achieving a thermal conductivity of 0.018 W/mK. In addition, the panel’s proprietary jointing system helped to reduce air-leakage and this, in combination with the heat exchange passive ventilation system, should further help to maintain thermal comfort and reduce the school’s energy demand.

The building form and elevations have been designed to help divide the building in terms of the key stages and to create a safe play environment at the heart of the school. QuadCore KS1000RW Wall Panel was chosen for the lower floor areas in Merlin Grey, whilst staircases are identified in Sapphire Blue. QuadCore AWP Wall Panel was specified with a plank profile on the upper storey in Pearl, whilst the QuadCore Topdek Roof Panel was completed in Slate Grey. Flashings around many of the windows have been picked out with Dark Copper – adding bursts of colour and excitement to the building facade.

The new school building was constructed whilst the original school remained in operation. Once complete, the existing building will be demolished to provide additional parking and playing areas.

The excellent thermal performance of Kingspan’s insulation solutions facilitated a fast and efficient construction process – keeping the construction on track. By installing Kooltherm K103 as underfloor insulation, the required U-value was met with a slimmer construction than would otherwise have been possible. The product also supported the installation of underfloor heating within the hall areas.

Kynaston Contract Services installed the insulated panel elements of the outer envelope with the use of mobile lifting equipment. This uniform, modular installation approach allowed the experienced installers to quickly clad the walls and pitched roof – allowing follow on trades to get to work on the internal fit out.

The slim, lightweight panels also helped to maximise space within the building’s footprint, a key priority as the project team looked to future-proof the building against further increases in the local population.

Our envelope specification helped the project to work towards its target BREEAM assessment score of ‘Excellent’. The excellent fabric performance was a key factor in the award of credits within the Energy section of the assessment and also supports improved thermal comfort as recognised within the Health and Wellbeing section.

Kooltherm K103 produced at Kingspan Insulation’s Pembridge, Herefordshire manufacturing facility is certified ‘Excellent’ under BES 6001 (Framework Standard for the Responsible Sourcing of Construction Products), whilst the insulated panels are also manufactured in the UK at sites certified as ‘Very Good’. This contributed towards the award of credits within the Materials section of the BREEAM assessment.