Ardrossan Academy

 

Background:
The Ardrossan Academy stands on a coastal fringe in the West of Scotland, exposed to the most severe weather conditions. Prior to refurbishment, the building was unattractive, thermally inefficient and energy-wasting. The hardwearing and durable Structherm system provides an ideal solution for this type of building.

Objectives:
Structherm were commissioned to update the building so that it would conform to current best practice guidelines and legislation whilst still providing a cost-effective solution.  The elimination of condensation and damp, the improvement of comfort levels and thermal efficiency were high priorities, whilst secondary objectives included the control of excessive solar gain, (by modification to the wall/glazing ratio), enhanced acoustic insulation and improved aesthetics.

Refurbishment Programme:

• The Structherm refurbishment programme included:
• The removal or overcladding of degraded composite panels
•  Reduced glazed areas to all elevations
• Thermal overcladding to main wall areas using the Structherm double-panel system
• Fabric repairs to eliminate penetrating damp
• Replacement of badly-sealed single-glazed windows with double-glazed windows.

Results:
After the installation of the cost-effective Structherm system, the Ardrossan Academy is a more thermally efficient and aesthetically pleasing building, with much improved sound attenuation. Amongst the benefits achieved on this project, significant energy savings will be seen in the longer term with concurrent reductions in carbon dioxide emissions.