Building Envelope

To create a sustainable exterior facade for the building structure above the parking lot, structural insulated panels (SIPs) are proposed for the walls, brick slip cladding on timber battens is proposed for the external facade. At the ground floor, a metal cladding with a timber finish will enclose the car park.

STRUCTURAL INSULATED PANELS (SIPS)
Structural insulated panels are simply foam pieces sandwiched between OSB boards that are used to construct buildings. Basically, the panels are cut to size, the timber edge pieces are attached, and any openings are formed. The vertical timber studs within the walls are spaced more closely than in traditional timber frame construction. In SIP walls, they are located at 1200mm centers. This substantially reduces repeated cold-bridging.

In comparison to on-site cut timber frames, factory-made SIPs panels are more precise, limiting gaps in the construction. Air leakage is kept to a minimum with insulated oriented strand boards (OSB) and rigid insulation cores.

The following are some benefits of SIPs in construction:
Thermal Performance
Insulated SIP panels offer unrivaled airtightness and insulation, which reduce energy costs during the life of the building. Compared with traditional timber framing, SIPs are about 50% more energy-efficient.
Indoor Air Quality
By limiting incoming air to controlled ventilation, SIPs improve indoor air quality and control allergens. As opposed to conventional stick framing, SIPs have no voids or thermal bridges that can lead to mold, mildew, or rot.

Energy Efficiency
The high energy efficiency of SIPs reduces CO2 levels, which is beneficial for the environment. Unlike traditional construction methods, they use less energy during manufacturing and have a lower embodied energy than traditional materials.
Quicker Construction
A building made of SIPs can be built quickly and made watertight in a matter of days since they are designed and manufactured offsite. In addition, this eliminates project management, scaffolding and framing labor costs. According to a BASF time-motion study, SIP panels reduce labor needs by 55%.

EXTERNAL CLADDING
In this project, brick slip rainscreen cladding is proposed for the floors above carparks and metal cladding is proposed for the ground floor carpark.

A major benefit of metal cladding panels is the added protection they offer. By using metal cladding panels, the building materials are protected from harsh weather conditions and are mechanically more stable. In addition to protecting buildings from changes in temperature, wind, water absorption, sunlight, and pollution, cladding can also enhance the aesthetics of a building.
Compared to wood, stone and metal cladding panels require very little maintenance, are easy to transport, and are not going to add extra weight to a building.
Recycled metal cladding panels reduce landfill waste and are environmentally-friendly. Because they are made from common metals, they can easily be recycled at the end of their useful lives as cladding. Consequently, metal cladding panels reduce their carbon footprint substantially.

Brick Slip Cladding
Brick slips are specially manufactured tiles that, when placed, replicate the appearance, colour, and texture of real clay bricks. It is possible to manufacture brick slips in various ways, including extruded clay slips, concrete, mortar, and plaster slips, twice-kiln fired glazed brick slips, as well as cut brick slips made from real handmade clay bricks.

The following are some benefits of brick slip cladding:
Sustainability
In today's race to decarbonise construction, brick cladding offers exceptional thermal efficiency. Brick cladding also consumes fewer raw materials and less energy during manufacture than traditional brick, so it has a reduced carbon footprint.

Ease of Installation
Commercial and residential projects alike benefit from brick cladding because it is lightweight and easy to install. Lightweight aluminium tracks are used to install brick slips, which are not load-bearing. Brick cladding systems simplify design, reduce costs, and don't require foundations like traditional masonry.
Meet Planning Requirements
The use of brick finishes is often required as part of a planning requirement. In addition to offering seamless finishes, a range of brick slip finishes can be found to match existing structures, allowing them to be retrofitted with insulation.

Low Maintenance
As part of the building envelope, brick slips create a façade that looks great and provides protection. One of the most significant advantages of brick cladding is its minimal maintenance requirements. Cladding made of bricks can remain in good condition for decades with very little upkeep. Additionally, the brick slips are highly weather-resistant, providing long-lasting durability and safety.

ROOF
This project will have a pitched warm-roof roof in accordance with the design principles. Waterproofing is the most fundamental concern when it comes to roof structures. Buildings must not only be wind- and air-tight, but also be able to shed precipitation, rain, and snow. Insulating the roof is more cost-effective than insulating the walls or the basement.

There are many benefits associated with this type of roofing, including the ability to effectively insulate a building without the need for void ventilation; to conserve heat without the need for roof void ventilation; and to allow moisture to escape, contributing to the prevention of damp and decay.

Roofs with this type of system are cost-effective, thermally efficient, and the most suitable option for UK conditions. Due to the structure being on the warm side of the insulation, thermal bridging is less likely on a warm roof. In order to significantly enhance the efficiency of a warm roof, continuous insulation is crucial.

One of the major benefits of a warm pitched roof is that you can efficiently utilize the area, such as by adding a room without paying any extra money, however, when you have a flat roof, you can utilize the space by adding green roofs and brown roofs, which are advantageous for the sustainability of the structure.

WINDOWS

A high-performance triple-glazed window with a thermally broken frame is proposed for this building project. In general, an inner face of the window is coated with a Low-E coating, the glass panes are filled with inert gases such as argon, and the space between the two panes is filled with silica gel desiccant to absorb any moisture present. This type of high performing window can take advantage of winter solar gains, ensuring a warm, draught-free interior.

In cases of air leakage around the joint between the window board and the inner leaf, a membrane could be taped to the window frame and covered with a steel mesh that allows plaster to adhere to the membrane. Besides using cavity closers on windowsills and heads, they may also be used for other types of openings in order to reduce thermal bridging and improve airtightness. Ideally, windows should be placed in the center of a wall, on the same layer as insulation.