REPURPOSING BUILDINGS:
NEW LIFE FROM SOLID STOCK
Some buildings have their lifetime’s design calling: cathedrals: monuments, hospitals and palaces. Some are homes, renovated and refreshed from time to time. And others once had a particular purpose; long forgotten as the needs of the community changed.
As an example, in Somerset West we have what was once perhaps a light industrial workshop or warehouse, now reinvented as a chic interior design showroom – The Mood Collective. A large walled space with mezzanine, ideal for displays, with offices, and lovely natural light beaming through the high industrial windows. With a lot of love, effort, tears, and perhaps some money, the industrial building has been refreshed into a stunning showroom, where interior specialists showcase their wares to interior designers and homemakers.
ADDING PASSIVE COMFORT
Amongst the challenges to be overcome in preparing the building was adding passive comfort, to allow patrons to browse at their leisure. While the building has some aspects which contribute to occupant comfort, such as cross-flow ventilation and high thermal mass solid walls, it was built in an era when limited thought was given to the disposition of occupants, and the effect of discomfort on patronage and energy efficiency. The 300m2 asbestos fibre roof was completely uninsulated, meaning high temperature loads in summer, and a cold interior in winter.
While one option would have been to remove and replace the roofing after installing thermal insulation, because there was opportunity to work from within the empty structure, the decision was made to solve from within. In addition, this saved replacing the roof sheets.
The solution chosen has been to add proven thermal insulation, in the form of 30mm thickness IsoBoard panels, directly adhered to the existing roof sheets. IsoBoard panels were factory painted per specification, glued to the asbestos sheeting between the existing purlins, and finished with a trim piece. This intervention has made a considerable difference to the interior comfort and the aesthetic appeal of the showroom, while preventing any shedding of asbestos fibres.
A NEAT, QUICK AND RELATIVELY AFFORDABLE SOLUTION
The installation team of four took a week to install the IsoBoard roof lining panels, working from scaffold platforms. The adhesive forms the permanent bond between the roof sheets and interlocking IsoBoard panels, making use of no mechanical fasteners at all. The key to this installation is having dust and oil-free surfaces on the sheeting and boards, allowing the water-based adhesive to bond. The recommended adhesive allows IsoBoard panels of up to 2 400mm in length to adhere almost instantaneously, enabling the installation of the next and subsequent boards without dislodging the initial board. Pre-painting the boards saved time, mess and disruption on site.
Overall, this has been a neat, quick and relatively affordable solution, delivering a comfortable and appealing environment for occupants, without affecting the integrity of the roof system.
