Jun 25 2009
The H+H UK Thin-joint system with solid walled aircrete provides the skin and internal walls for Circle Construction's 3-storey development of 24 modern apartments in Knowle, Bristol.
Circle Construction director, Marcus Hasell, commented, "We decided on solid wall due to the speed and cost advantages it offers. Only having one block to work with meant we got the shell of the building completed and weather-tight in under 12 weeks. Being able to use the same method for exterior and partitioning walls contributed to a considerable time saving compared with other methods, whilst reduced onsite waste helped to lower costs."
Celcon Plus 610mm x 215mm blocks are used for the outer walls with 610mm x 140mm used for parting walls, all bonded with thin jointed Celfix mortar. In total close to 16,000 blocks are in place with three types of rendering on the exterior of the building, cedar wood, brick cladding and insulated render panels. The entire project is insulated with 50mm Celotex boards and the interior is finished with a dry lining of plasterboard.
The key advantages of using the H+H UK Thin-joint system with a solid wall included speed of construction, less waste and the inherent cost saving. The completed development achieves a U value within 0.24W/m2K and comfortably meets level 3 of the Code For Sustainable Homes, highlighting the excellent thermal and acoustic properties associated with solid-walled aircrete construction.
"So pleased have we been with H+H UK products, we are now part of the nationwide recommended contractor network," said Marcus. "Initially, we did not know much about aircrete, but after a demonstration of the H+H Thin Joint system, we were immediately impressed with it, and particularly interested in a vibrant and new, to us anyway, MMC. We used aircrete construction on five other developments before Carpenter's Place, but this was our first time with solid wall and it has undoubtedly been a success."
Comprised of 21 one-bedroom and 3 two-bedroom apartments, each dwelling is fitted out with all expected mod cons, access to bicycle and bin storage, as well as waste recycling facilities. Named in honour of one of the development teams' grandfather, George Carpenter, Carpenters Place occupies the site of a former pub, the Venture Inn, a favourite watering hole of George's for more than 30 years.