Claimed to be the UK’s largest Passivhaus development to date and Camden Council’s largest community project, Agar Grove Estate is undergoing a major regeneration, due for completion in 2025. It will deliver 493 high-quality homes for existing residents, with ground floor maisonettes and apartments above with full width balconies.
As the project is to Passivhaus standard, the high levels of insulation mean exceptional levels of airtightness; and a critical requirement is the avoidance of thermal bridging. A frequent cause of increased heat and energy loss, condensation and likely mould growth.
The risk of thermal bridging is at connectivity points involving the balconies and parapets. And one of the most effective countermeasures is the Isokorb range of structural thermal breaks from Schöck. The Isokorb type used for the balconies has been awarded the “low thermal bridge construction” certificate by the Passivhaus Institute in Darmstadt and transfers both negative moments and positive shear forces.
The conventional insulation method for parapets is to wrap the perimeter of the wall with an insulation barrier. However the Schöck Isokorb designed for parapets avoids the need for wrapping. It is more cost-effective than conventional wrapping and its 120mm insulation dramatically reduces heat loss. Also there is no risk of any additional thermal bridging through balustrade fixings, it requires no maintenance and no expensive restoration due to waterproofing problems.
In addition to the Isokorb types used at Agar Grove, the comprehensive Schöck range also offers solutions for concrete-to-steel and steel-to-steel situations. When any Isokorb product type is incorporated into residential buildings, the required fRsi value is always comfortably met. Products meet full compliance with the relevant UK building regulations, have NHBC approval and offer LABC Registration. There is also the security of independent BBA Certification.