Thermal breaks specialists, Armadillo, has provided a revolutionary thermal bridging solution for the highly-anticipated £80m V&A Museum, set to become the only UK outpost of the London institution.
Armadillo was appointed by main contractor, Carillion, to insulate the brackets that support the impressive façade from the external concrete wall. The manufacturer’s product, Armatherm™ FR Structural, was used to intercept the connection, providing an exceptionally high-compressive load and thermal isolation improving the structure’s energy efficiency by 58%.
The building’s façade, designed by Japanese architect, Kengo Kuma, will feature horizontal concrete striations, allowing natural ventilation and daylight, to keep the galleries warm in the winter and cool in the summer. The museum is due to open summer 2018.
Armadillo’s managing director, Jonathan Shaw, said: “Once complete, the building will have a huge visual impact, which is certainly required for a landmark structure of this kind, but it’s encouraging to see that care has been taken to ensure the building is energy efficient as well.
“Our thermal break material will prolong the life-span of the museum, helping it to meet changing energy legislations and environmental concerns, as well as decreasing the building’s running costs. Over the past year, we’ve seen architects waking up to the importance of thermal breaking in building design, but there is still a way to go to ensure that Armatherm™ is specified as standard.”
The full Armadillo product range includes the Armatherm™ Z-Girt, Armatherm™ FRR and Armatherm™ 500 series structural thermal break materials.
