An acoustic ceiling system provided by Sto has created a quiet and calm environment for a museum in Hampshire. The StoSilent Distance system has been installed in Petersfield Museum, which has been created by the conversion and refurbishment of Victorian premises that previously housed a police station and court house.
A new online resource has been launched by Sto to provide architects and specifiers with a quick, convenient and practical new way to bring their façade designs to life. The interactive Sto Cladding Creator allows customers to develop their façade designs using the company’s StoCleyer B resin brick slips, StoBrick
A unique residential Pocket Living development recently completed in Barking features highly effective thermal performance and an attractive appearance thanks to an integrated package of insulation and exterior façade products provided by Sto. The company’s StoTherm Mineral external wall insulation system, with Sto-Rotofix Plus fixings and Sto Resin Brick Slip
StoTherm Mineral insulation and StoSilco render were used to provide outstanding thermal performance on the recently completed Peveril Securities King’s Stables Road mixed-use development Edinburgh’s city-centre. This project illustrates Sto’s ability to work closely with specifiers, contractors and clients to ensure that the most appropriate solution was chosen for this
A trio of Welsh schools have received major upgrades to their thermal insulation thanks to an integrated package of products provided by Sto Ltd. Ysgol Glan Morfa, Howardian Primary School and Ysgol Hamadryad in Cardiff have all had the company’s StoTherm Mineral external wall insulation system applied to significantly improve
The benefits of combining off-site construction with external wall insulation (EWI) are explored in a technical document produced by the British Board of Agrément in conjunction with EWI specialist STO. Aimed at specifiers, contractors and end clients, the literature outlines the many benefits of marrying the two solutions, from energy
An acoustic system from Sto has been specified for a £7.5 million museum redevelopment project in London. The StoSilent Distance system has been installed in the Garden Museum, which is Britain’s only museum covering the art, history and design of gardens, located at the Church of St Mary-at-Lambeth. “We specified
BDC 319 : Aug 2024
An acoustic ceiling system provided by Sto has created a quiet and calm environment for a museum in Hampshire. The StoSilent Distance system has been installed in Petersfield Museum, which has been created by the conversion and refurbishment of Victorian premises that previously housed a police station and court house. “The StoSilent Distance system is well-suited to this type of refurbishment project,” comments Sto’s acoustics project manager, James Gosling. “It delivers outstanding acoustic performance, but also offers tremendous flexibility as it can be used to create large seamless ceilings, sharp joints and creases, or curved ceilings and vaults. This gives architects and designers great freedom while still allowing them to accommodate the existing structures found on a refurbishment project such as this.” The Sto system was specified for the building by Hampshire County Council Property Services, as part of a project to create a series of new, welcoming spaces at the museum. “This is just the latest in a long line of projects where our StoSilent acoustic solutions have been installed in museums,” adds James. “A room’s acoustic performance can influence our sense of well-being, and if that performance is poor, noise from speech, movement and everyday activity can create an unpleasant environment where sounds are unclear, communication is difficult, and concentration is impossible. The need for acoustically absorptive measures is therefore clear and the StoSilent Distance system can provide both outstanding acoustic performance and the sort of unobtrusive visual presence which is essential for this type of building.” Installed on this project by specialist applicators The Broadsword Group, the StoSilent Distance system can function as a suspended ceiling, or as a wall-covering over a cavity. It features a metal profile sub-construction fitted with acoustic panels, which are manufactured from expanded glass granulate, making them lightweight and easy to handle, and allowing them to be adjusted to suit any room shape and create a smooth, seamless surface. Different system variants are offered to suit different types of application. The boards were finished with StoSilent Décor M, a spray-applied acoustic plaster which can be tinted to match an extensive range of shades from the StoColor system. This solvent and plasticiser-free plaster creates a classic fine-stipple finish which is ideally suited to a museum environment. It is also Natureplus approved and easy to refurbish. The construction work formed part of the museum’s £3.75m ‘Pathways into the Past’ expansion and refurbishment project. This has seen the museum’s buildings and exhibition spaces undergo a complete transformation, along with the creation of an exciting new outdoor courtyard space.
A new online resource has been launched by Sto to provide architects and specifiers with a quick, convenient and practical new way to bring their façade designs to life. The interactive Sto Cladding Creator allows customers to develop their façade designs using the company’s StoCleyer B resin brick slips, StoBrick clay brick slips and Glass Mosaic finishes, and visualize the perfect solution for their individual project. “This is a significant step forward that delivers a number of benefits for our customers,” explains Sto’s Sales Development Manager, Joe Mellor. “The Cladding Creator provides visitors with a virtually endless array of design possibilities covering these façade finishes. They can refine their ideas by changing different parameters such as sizes, textures, bond patterns, colour combinations, joint mortar and glass mosaic options, before arriving at a final visual solution that gives them a very clear and accurate indication of how the various hues and textures will appear on their own building.” The resulting file can then be downloaded and used with any modelling software to create images for various purposes, such as client presentations or inclusion into drawings. “This greatly simplifies the process of choosing between the many different options available, saving valuable time for architects and specifiers,” adds Joe. “Once they have arrived at a design they wish to follow, they can then order a sample direct from the website, making the whole specification process even more efficient.” The Sto Cladding Creator focusses the spotlight on the BBA-certified StoCleyer B resin brick slips, which offer great design freedom, with the option to be manufactured in almost any colour combination or texture. Made from over 90% mineral component, they allow the creation of brick façades at a fraction of the weight, cost and installation work associated with traditional brick, as well as creating considerable energy savings in the manufacturing and transport processes. All the façade finishes chosen via the new Sto Cladding Configurator are compatible with the StoTherm Mineral external wall insulation system, and StoVentec rainscreen system.
A unique residential Pocket Living development recently completed in Barking features highly effective thermal performance and an attractive appearance thanks to an integrated package of insulation and exterior façade products provided by Sto. The company’s StoTherm Mineral external wall insulation system, with Sto-Rotofix Plus fixings and Sto Resin Brick Slip façade finish, have all been installed on this town-centre project at Whiting Avenue. The development includes a pair of residential blocks, which are predominantly four-storey, but which rise to six floors at the centre of the site. These were built using off-site prefabrication methods in order to reduce disruption to the surrounding area during construction. “When it came to thermal performance, we wanted an insulation solution that would be non-combustible and compatible with the off-site approach,” comments Matt Watts of Reed Watts architects. “The quality of the system was also critical as the building had to meet a wide range of performance criteria, and the StoTherm Mineral external wall insulation system was able to satisfy this. “We worked with Sto to refine the texture and colour of the bricks. From a visual perspective this allowed us to tie in the development with neighbouring buildings, including an adjacent Victorian waterworks.” The BBA-certified StoTherm Mineral external wall insulation system incorporates extremely durable mineral-fibre boards which provide both outstanding thermal insulation and unrivalled fire protection. The boards are protected by a reinforcing mesh which increases their resistance to impact damage. “We installed these using the Sto-Rotofix Plus fixings,” adds Steve Beale of Sto authorized installation specialist, Alpine Finishing. “The off-site nature of the buildings’ construction meant that the boards were applied to a secondary lightweight steel frame, and the Rotofix system was perfectly suited to the task.” These unique Sto spiral fixings are compatible with many different types of substrate and can be adjusted after installation to accommodate any unevenness. This allows the insulation boards to be installed without the need for additional expansion joints, and to create a smooth and even exterior surface ready for finishing. The Sto resin brick slips used on this project are manufactured from synthetic render, and so provide durable, weatherproof protection against the elements, with a simulated but realistic brick appearance. Designed to be fully compatible with Sto external wall insulation systems these lightweight, vapour permeable brick slips offer the architect a virtually unlimited range of design, size and colour options, and are an approved finish in a BBA certificate, as a result of thorough R&D testing. The development has been designed around the Pocket Living concept and now provides 78 affordable one-bedroom flats intended for local, first-time buyers. It incorporates secluded courtyard gardens for residents, an allotment area and other outdoor social spaces. It also features a shared home-working space for use by the residents.
StoTherm Mineral insulation and StoSilco render were used to provide outstanding thermal performance on the recently completed Peveril Securities King’s Stables Road mixed-use development Edinburgh’s city-centre. This project illustrates Sto’s ability to work closely with specifiers, contractors and clients to ensure that the most appropriate solution was chosen for this project. Located in the Edinburgh Old Town’s historic Grassmarket area, the £40M King’s Stables Road development is a landmark scheme delivering housing, premium student accommodation, a 4-star apart-hotel and various commercial units, set around a number of public courtyards. “This was a large project for which a rainscreen cladding system was originally considered,” says Sto’s Project Manager, Jim Reid. “However, budget constraints meant that an alternative solution was required. The façades of the buildings feature numerous multi-level surfaces, and any alternative solution had to be able to accommodate these and various other complex detailing requirements, while still meeting the budgetary requirements.” Sto successfully worked in partnership with project architects, Fletcher Joseph Associates, and façade specialists AFS (Scotland) who installed the StoTherm Mineral system. The result was a fully bespoke insulation system which satisfied all the project requirements. The mineral-fibre insulation boards used in the StoTherm system provide excellent thermal performance along with unrivalled fire protection, great durability and impressive sound insulation. The system’s efficient single-leaf construction does not reduce interior space and requires no additional expansion joints. This allowed the smooth external surfaces which are used in the King’s Stables Road design to be created. Some sections of the development used Sto’s unique Sto-Rotofix Plus adjustable spiral fixings to secure the insulation boards to the substrate. These fixings allow for a considerable degree of post-installation adjustment so that different surface levels can be accommodated, and once again, they provide a perfectly level surface for a smooth external render finish. The remaining sections of the development had the insulation applied using StoLevell Uni adhesive. This creates a strong, durable and reliable bond with the surface, and allows the insulation to be applied onto curved substrates. All the insulation was finished with StoSilco K1.5 silicone resin render which provides high levels of water repellence, outstanding protection against harsh weather conditions and excellent CO2 and water vapour permeability. The white colour of the StoSilco complements the brickwork and dark grey cladding found on other parts of the development. “We’ve used Sto’s external wall insulation on many previous projects and find that it performs extremely well,” comments Steve Avery of AFS (Scotland). “The StoTherm system is very straightforward to install, but still provides a high degree of flexibility which makes it a very practical solution.” The King’s Stables project is owned by Peveril Securities and is part of a wider mixed-use development programme. Render was specified early in the design process as a means of brightening courtyards flanked by neighbouring buildings or facades. Careful material specification at this stage enhances the established public realm as occupants and the wider public weave their way through this exemplar development in the heart of Edinburgh’s capital.
A trio of Welsh schools have received major upgrades to their thermal insulation thanks to an integrated package of products provided by Sto Ltd. Ysgol Glan Morfa, Howardian Primary School and Ysgol Hamadryad in Cardiff have all had the company’s StoTherm Mineral external wall insulation system applied to significantly improve their thermal performance. “We had originally considered a different solution which proved to be outside the budget,” says Nick Langley of Stride Treglown Architecture. “Sto were able to suggest an alternative which was less expensive but which had already been tried and tested on a previous school project in Swansea. The practice had used Sto products previously so we were happy to consider their suggestion.” StoTherm Mineral external wall insulation system features mineral fibre insulation boards and combines unrivalled fire protection and high thermal performance with excellent impact resistance, making it ideal for both new-build and refurbishment projects. It was installed using Sto-Rotofix Plus, a unique and easily adjustable spiral fixing which can accommodate any unevenness in the substrate to create a perfectly smooth outer finish. “Using this system, we created a 20mm drained cavity between the insulation and substrate, thus optimizing the water management of the completed construction,” adds Andrew Lloyd of M&P Contractors Wales Ltd who oversaw the installation work. This also helped to create the correct building lines which were required for the walls. “This was the first time we had used this solution from Sto, and with the training and support we received, all the products provided an integrated and reliable insulation solution.” A layer of StoLevell DuoPlus mineral bonding and reinforcing mortar was applied to the insulation, which gives good adhesion and provides a durable, weather-resistant and vapour permeable base layer ready to receive the top coat. StoSilco K silicone resin render was then added to provide a protective and decorative finish combining a high degree of water repellence and excellent water vapour permeability. The breathable yet highly water repellant properties of the StoSilco K render make it resistant to dirt build-up and help reduce the growth of algae and fungus. StoTherm Mineral incorporating StoSilco K finish is an ideal façade where rugged and reliable protection is required. Pic caption: Three Welsh schools have received major thermal insulation upgrades thanks to an integrated package of products provided by Sto, which included the company’s StoTherm Mineral external wall insulation system.
The benefits of combining off-site construction with external wall insulation (EWI) are explored in a technical document produced by the British Board of Agrément in conjunction with EWI specialist STO. Aimed at specifiers, contractors and end clients, the literature outlines the many benefits of marrying the two solutions, from energy efficiency to time savings and increased build quality to improved on-site health and safety. “EWIs and off-site construction are perfect partners when system selection, design and testing are key considerations,” said BBA Test Services product manager George Bailey, who co-authored the document with David Tyndall, STO Director – Off-Site Construction Solutions (Western Europe). “EWIs can be applied to a wide range of off-site modular and panellised structures including timber, SIPS, reinforced concrete and various steel-based options that are proving increasingly popular for large multi-storey buildings. “Durability, thermal performance and long-term aesthetics rely on the performance of the system as a whole…performance is achieved through multiple components working together,” added Mr Bailey. “Therefore when considering design changes or multiple external finishes, careful attention must be paid to the implications these alternations may have on performance.” The literature also discusses technical elements to take into account, for example the spacing of structural elements within each modular unit to accommodate mechanical fixings and planning the EWI early in order to determine the entire system’s performance through structural and environmental testing. Manufacturers offer numerous types of EWI, including EPS, XPS, mineral wool, PIR, PUR and phenolic foam. This variety of material type and usage means there is no standard method of testing and assessing systems; careful consideration is therefore required to select from test requirements including fire and thermal performance, watertightness, resistance to wind loading and structural testing. “EWI products should be supported by robust testing carried out buy a UKAS-accredited testing facility such as the BBA,” said Mr Bailey. “The work of the BBA in establishing certification and testing parameters for EWIs has led to European-wide regulation with EOTA and provided guidance to the UK government.” To view the document, visit: https://www.bbacerts.co.uk/uploads/cmsfiles/Industry_voices_STO_web.pdf
An acoustic system from Sto has been specified for a £7.5 million museum redevelopment project in London. The StoSilent Distance system has been installed in the Garden Museum, which is Britain’s only museum covering the art, history and design of gardens, located at the Church of St Mary-at-Lambeth. “We specified the StoSilent Distance system for a number of reasons,” explained Alun Jones of Dow Jones Architects. “The building work involved the creation of a cluster of copper-clad pavilions around a cloistered garden area. These house two new educational spaces and a cafeteria, and they are connected by a number of covered walkways. These spaces feature concrete floors and floor-to-ceiling glazing, so in order to achieve an acoustic environment with a reverberation time of less than 0.8 seconds we used a Sto seamless acoustic ceiling. Having used the Sto solution on a previous project we were confident that it would be perfect for the museum, and Sto worked closely with us to create a balanced acoustic system which would satisfy all the different requirements.” The StoSilent Distance system provides a modern, clean, monolithic alternative to the standard options. It is ideal for situations where, as with the Garden Museum, these surfaces must be suspended to accommodate services, and where the ceilings were being used as negative plenums for air extraction and movement. The StoSilent Distance system utilises its own Sto SC400 metal framework, and StoSilent Distance 110 boards. The boards are manufactured from 96% recycled glass and can be integrated with lighting, grills and other M&E considerations. StoSilent boards are permeable, and have a honeycomb-like structure which allows noise and sound to dissipate through a void space and so balance the acoustic environment. StoSilent Distance is a lightweight system, and unlike exposed grid and soft tile alternatives, the boards will not sag or delaminate. It can be used to create many different design features, including seamless, inclined planes or curves, or sharp and consistent joints. The benefit to the architects and end user is that the system can also be repaired and refurbished throughout the lifetime of the building without greatly negating the value of the acoustics, wherever the system has been installed.
