Health Mon, Apr 9, 2018 9:12 AM
Kalwall translucent cladding is the architectural focus of the new £55million development of Benenden Hospital in Cranbrook, Kent.
The scheme, designed by architects C A Vaughan Blundell with assistance from SR Architects Ltd, has created a wonderfully light and airy entrance atrium designed to welcome and create an enhanced patient and visitor experience with maximised natural daylight.
The extensive breakout and catering facilities support theatres, en-suite rooms, outpatient department and ophthalmic suite along with diagnostic imaging, rest and recovery areas. The main contractor was Willmott Dixon Construction.
The Kalwall skylights provide additional light in the large atrium throwing (would ‘projecting’ sound better) it deep into the interior. They were specified complete with highly insulating Nanogel which achieves an impress U value of 0.28W/m2K, helping the project attain a Breeam status of ‘Good’. This is particularly impressive given the amount of curtain walling and clerestory glazing involved in the scheme.
The skylights have a unique ability to bathe interior spaces with diffused and glare-free daylight, which creates a stimulating and healthy environment. In addition, their heavily insulated composition eliminates glare and hotspots, thereby reducing the load on temperature control systems and the need for artificial lighting.
Geoff Holden, Senior Technician at C A Vaughan Blundell comments: “The use of Kalwall represented the best value balance of energy saving and cost and provided us with the ideal way to achieve spatial daylighting within the requirements of Part L."
Kalwall is a popular choice for projects where performance, long life cycle and low maintenance are required, coupled with an aesthetic finish. The aluminium or thermally-broken grid core with interlocking I-beams gives Kalwall incredible strength.
The lightweight system reduces the need for supporting structures while offering the highest protection in terms of wind-borne debris and resistance to impact, abrasion and point loads. The exterior face is colour stable and includes a UV resistant, self-cleaning surface. This means that normal rainfall helps to keep the surface free of dust and dirt while at the same time retaining its original colour during the weathering process.
Furthermore, the inclusion of an erosion-prevention barrier protects the interior from weather exposure and the risk of fibre-bloom, cracking and crazing.
Featured News
Stelrad radiators are the heat sharing choice of projects providing homes and...
Zentia, the UK’s market leader in complete ceiling solutions, has launched its new...
BUILDING PRODUCT LIBRARY - LATEST BROCHURES
REVO.Prime TSA 325 N...
By GEZE UK Ltd
Natural ventilation...
By Passivent
PACE 2024
By GEZE UK Ltd
Squash Court Floorin...
By Junckers Limited
Junckers Acoustics F...
By Junckers Limited
BUILDING PRODUCT DIRECTORY - LATEST PRODUCTS
Discreet and secure, the Ei1025 Environmental Sensor can be placed throughout a property to monitor...
The Gateway and Cloud portal use Aico’s SmartLINK technology to bring together data from all...
The Ei3030 is a multi-sensor Fire & Carbon Monoxide (CO) Alarm. Containing our proven and dependable...
CONSTRUCTION VIDEOS - LATEST VIDEOS
In progressive and dynamic business sectors, such as construction, it’s natural to be forward...
Decorative aluminium horizontal bulkheads more than 100 metres long have been supplied and installed...
More than 150 sq.m of Vecta aluminium wall lining and a feature bulkhead have been manufactured and...