Renovating ‘That 70’s Thing’

Unlike Flares and platform shoes, some fashions (thankfully!) don’t come back around, and there’s probably general consensus in the building industry that structures designed in the 1970s are on that list.
The dour and grey facades of 70s tower blocks epitomised the era, and this decade has seen the refurbishment of many such edifices. Following a re-design by architect Ulrich Centmeyer of Jestico & Whiles, the University of Southampton’s Glen Eyre halls of residence have been transformed with more than 10,000m2 of Alsecco’s Basic 1 Silitect 1.5mm finish to bring them up to date both aesthetically and in terms of building regulations.
The greatest challenge was conforming to the new Part L requirements. Like many buildings erected in the 1970s, Glen Eyre was cladded with concrete panels and before the external wall insulation could be applied the whole block had to be overclad with 10mm cement particle board to provide a level surface.
Walltec’s Martin Pickard, who applied the Alsecco Basic 1, conceded that Glen Eyre did pose a considerable headache at first, but that sound technical expertise meant the problems could be resolved to the client’s satisfaction. Initially, a rail system was considered, but further investigations proved it to be less than robust for this application.
Although no stranger to public building renovation, this was Alsecco’s first project with the University of Southampton and Costain, and they worked closely with Jestico & Whiles’ architect Ulrich Centmeyer and Walltec to ensure that the best solution could be delivered. ‘The key to successful projects is close relationships with all stakeholders,
Who applied it? Martin Pickard at Walltec 01753 5480808 (friend of Alsecco and very helpful if you want to speak to him)