04 January 2010 12:42pm

Sustainable College Specifies Stone Wool Core

BREEAM, Cauldon Campus, europanel, stoke-on-trent college, stone wool core, sustainable

Sustainability encompassed the fundamental design and construction considerations throughout this project with a primary objective to reduce carbon emissions and a collective foresight to accomplish a BREEAM ‘Excellent’ rated building. Design and specification of both the building and its facilities were taken into consideration and essential to this was the key elements used within the main structure of the college. Eurobond’s Europanel stone wool core composite panel system was specified for the external building envelope in Corus Colorcoat Prisma White, simple to install helping to quickly erect a weather tight building it has achieved proven environmental credentials in line with BREEAM standards.

Richard Wigley, Marketing & Infrastructure Manager for Eurobond explains “Stoke-on-Trent College is enveloped within an environmentally responsible philosophy and they were keen to incorporate this throughout the new Campus which resulted in the use of a wide variety of sustainable features and construction materials.”

“Composite panels are increasingly being used within educational buildings as an effective and labor saving alternative to traditional wet trades. Eurobond’s Europanel system is manufactured using a high content of recycled steel and stone wool, the panel cores contain zero ozone depleting substances and zero global warming potential.”
The modular flexibility afforded by Eurobond’s Europanel system enabled Moss Construction and panel contractor Unique Roofing to weave the stone wool composite cladding between the wooden rainscreen façade in a vertical installation, creating a striking architectural comparison between the two materials.

The new campus stands proud of the surrounding landscape and is a welcome feature for regular visitors to neighbouring Cauldon Park. Cauldon Campus is the first of several flagship buildings to be completed as part of the £282 million UniQ partnership between Staffordshire University, Stoke-on-Trent FE College and Sixth Form College. The education-led regeneration hopes to significantly build upon the fabric of the city’s future economic prosperity whilst offering students the chance to experience and interact within modern cutting edge facilities.

Scheduled for completion in 2013 UniQ students will benefit from five show piece new buildings shared by all three partners including a High-tech Science Centre, purpose built Media and Performing Arts Centre as well modern Sport Training Village and a ‘Knowledge Hub’ Library. Until such time Stoke-on-Trent’s new Cauldron Campus will equip its 600 full time students with a variety of health care and beauty training facilities to simulate a ‘real life’ working environment.