EXTERIORS


19


EJOT CROSSFIX provides ready-made overhanging soffi t fi xing solution


T


he EJOT CROSSFIX facade support system has enabled Kovara Projects to securely and effi ciently


install a


complex timber cladding feature for a large new building created at the Harwell Science and Innovation Campus near Didcot. The system, which will be showcased at the Zak World of Facades event in Manchester in June, has been used in the construction of Tech Edge West. Delivered by main contractor Glencar, this will provide 70,000 ft2


supporting a growing community of scientists, engineers and innovators. The building’s eye-catching design features a sawtooth roof with dark standing seam roofs and outer walls combining with naturally fi nished timber cladding to complement the natural setting. Each unit features a recessed facade at the gable ends formed through incorporating cantilevered purlins. This design required a continuation of the exterior wall’s Thermopine timber


rainscreen facades and bespoke cladding, offering sustainability and thermal effi ciency advantages over aluminium alternatives. It is supplied with a complete support package by EJOT UK to ensure a specifi cation including the full engineering calculations is provided quickly to avoid project delays. Scott Norris,


Kovara Projects’ design of mixed use offi ce space,


Once the timber cladding was installed, a seamless aesthetic was achieved with the continuation from the walls onto the soffi ts


cladding on the soffi t of the roof overhang. Here, EJOT CROSSFIX provided a ‘plug-and- play’ solution for this distinctive architectural feature covering 24 m2


across the eaves of the


recessed facades. CROSSFIX is an advanced, stainless steel substructure system designed for mounting


director, said: “By utilising the CROSSFIX system in conjunction with EJOT’s technical support, the system’s enhanced structural and spanning capabilities were identifi ed and incorporated into the design, enabling a reduction in the quantity of material required for the soffi t installation when compared with a traditional bespoke fabricated support framework. This was achieved while maintaining a fully engineered, structurally robust solution and reducing the practical and ergonomic challenges associated with overhead installation works.”


01977 687040 www.ejot.co.uk/CROSSFIX


Edinburgh high school looks forward to Passivhaus certifi cation with help of Wraptite®


A


s of May 2025, construction of the new £65 million Currie Community High School in Edinburgh is nearly


complete, meaning it can be assessed for Passivhaus certifi cation. A host of schools currently being built across Scotland are aiming to achieve the standard,


funded in part through the Learning Estates Investment Programme (LEIP). “A key element of the Passivhaus standard is airtightness,” said Cameron Galloway, site manager at Kier Construction. “The Proctor Group’s Wraptite® key products for us.”


A preliminary air test carried out in early 2025 achieved a result of 0.44 air changes per hour (ach) – standing the school in good stead to surpass the Passivhaus requirement of 0.6 ach.


Currie Community High School has been designed to provide 1,000 student places across three fl oors, with a focus on daylight, indoor air quality and healthy,


natural many membranes were therefore


materials, plus spaces for outdoor learning. The community aspect of the project features amenities including a library, sensory garden, and public allotments. As well as the comfort benefi ts that come from attaining Passivhaus accreditation,


the building’s low energy


performance is designed to contribute to the City of Edinburgh Council’s net zero goals. Sport and leisure facilities on the site


include a swimming pool, meaning the school will have one of the few Passivhaus certifi ed pools in the UK.


While most of the high school is of steel frame construction, the pool hall uses a cross


laminated timber (CLT) structure.


“We wanted to protect the timber kit as soon as possible,” said Cameron, “so for that part of the building we used Wraptite UV. It offered us a longer exposure time than the standard Wraptite, meaning we could complete that part of the building early on.” Wraptite UV is typically offered for use behind open-jointed cladding, but in this instance supported the specifi c goals of the project following advice from the Proctor Group technical team. Wraptite membrane was then used across the rest of the site. Both Wraptite products offer a combination of airtightness and vapour permeability, helping to meet low energy goals without increasing condensation risk in the structure. The self-adhered nature of the two membranes creates a consistent airtight seal without the need for a primer, saving on labour and material costs.


01250 872 261 proctorgroup.com/products/wraptite


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