STYROFOAM insulation supports sustainable building breakthrough
STYROFOAM™ insulation from Dow Building Solutions is at the heart of a new, Carbon Neutral Business Zone (CaNeBuZo) taking shape near Spalding in Lincolnshire - the first of its kind in the UK.
Staines, 23 February 2009
Architect Dr Jeremy Harrall is using his 'Carbon Neutral Business Zone (CaNeBuZo)' development to prove that commercially viable buildings can be created with today's technology to meet the aspirations of Level 6 of the UK's Code for Sustainable Homes - a standard which will not be mandatory for commercial buildings until 2019.
300mm thick STYROFOAM-A boards are being used to provide insulation for the roof, floor and walls of seven earth-sheltered office buildings - as well as for a residential 'autonomous house' on site - to maximise thermal insulation and minimise the need for heating.
The £1,300,000 CaNeBuZo development is designed to prove the potential of earth-sheltered buildings with low technological design applications which will support the development of the UK's first truly zero carbon business park. The buildings on site - which include an eco-cafe, classroom and demonstration eco-house - will require no heating, eliminating associated CO2 emissions.
Dr Harrall from SEArch Architects, the company behind the design and development of the CaNeBuZo, said: "We specified STYROFOAM-A because of its use of CO2 as its 'blowing agent' and its excellent insulation properties, which will be vital in maximising the thermal efficiency of the buildings. Also important to us was the fact that STYROFOAM can be cut with standard tools, making it easier to shape and generating less construction site waste."
The CaNeBuZo development includes five, circular, single storey, earth-sheltered office buildings which vary in size from 50m2 to 150m2. Earth covers the majority of the buildings, except for large windows to the south and smaller north-facing windows.
Exposed internal concrete (90% Ordinary Portland Cement-free) surfaces are being used for the walls, floor and ceilings to make the most of the thermal mass properties of concrete. The concrete - which was supplied by Lafarge and incorporates recycled aggregate - will absorb heat principally in the summer effectively cooling the buildings, and release the stored heat during cooler weather to provide a natural heating regime.
All the electricity required will be generated on site by wind turbines, photovoltaic cells and solar water heating, and all waste products will be managed on site.
"We're delighted to be involved in this groundbreaking project as it proves that STYROFOAM insulation has a valuable role to play in the development of energy efficient buildings in the future," said Jayne Law, UK and Ireland Sales Manager for Dow Building Solutions.
"In addition to its excellent insulating properties, STYROFOAM-A sits perfectly within the concept of the CaNeBuZo development as it's produced using recycled carbon dioxide as a blowing agent to create the extruded foam materials. Also important, given the structure and form of the earth-sheltered buildings, is the fact that STYROFOAM is lightweight yet robust with high strength and excellent moisture resistant properties."
STYROFOAM-A meets the Code for Sustainable Homes Global Warming Potential (GWP) of less than five. The U-values achieved for the office buildings will be 0.09W/m2K for the floor, and 0.11W/m2K for the walls roofs. The U-value for the Eco-House will be 0.10W/m2K for the floor and 0.11W/m2K for the walls and roof.
Dow Building Solutions offers a range of insulation products to improve the energy efficiency of residential and commercial buildings. For more details on stockists of STYROFOAM-A and other insulation products, contact Dow Building Solutions on 020 3139 4190 or visit www.styrofoam.co.uk.
Notes to editors:
Dow Building Solutions, a division of The Dow Chemical Company, is dedicated to supplying the construction industry with innovative and effective solutions. The product range includes STYROFOAM blue extruded foamed polystyrene insulation, GREAT-STUFF™ polyurethane foam sealant, FROTH-PAK™ polyurethane foam spray systems, INSTA-STIK™ polyurethane adhesives and a range of accessories.
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