Matthew King, UK managing director of Actis Insulation, describes multifoils as multi-layered products of limited thickness (around 30 mm), comprising

reflective films alternating with separators. They are particularly suitable for renovation, especially where space is limited, reducing all forms of heat loss and performing well all year round. According to King, For the same thermal performance, multifoil insulation is 25 to 30 per cent as thick as traditional insulation (air gaps included). Ultra-thin VIPs (AJ 04.02.10) can greatly increase insulation efficiency, but their lifetime needs to increase significantly if they are to be used in masonry cavity construction. VIP specialist Ian Abley says recent commercial breakthroughs will be made public at the International Vacuum Insulation Symposium in Ontario, Canada, in September. He says advances have been made in four areas: vulnerability (preventing processes damaging products); the service life of insulation; substitutability; and modularity (the use of co-ordinated prefabrication). The Deutsches Institut fr Bautechnik (DIBt) issues a National Technical Approval in the absence of DIN Standards. It has taken the view that VIPs that start with a thermal conductivity of 0.005W/mK lose performance through pressure gain and have design values of between 0.007 and 0.008W/ mK after 30 years. Both va-Q-tec and Porextherm offer products with such DIBt approvals, and both know them to be cautious estimates, says Abley. In 2009, it was clear that, while 30-year VIPs are available for numerous construction applications such as shorter-life cladding, a long-life panel is required for building into structures. This has already been invented and is now being commercialised, says Abley. In 1996, while working for Owens Corning, Stan Rusek collaborated on a patent for a tray-shaped stainless steel Aura VIP. Last July, he applied for a patent on an improved stainless-steel foil-wrapped plank, initially with a glass-fibre core, to be built into brick and block cavity walls or concrete sandwich panels. Rusek and his daughter Samantha are currently seeking the capital to produce Century insulation, capable of achieving a U-value of 0.1W/m2K in less than 50mm, at less than 50/m2, and >> 16 AJ SPECIFICATION 02.11

Opposite page Poole Architects Seitzstrae apartments, Munich, uses 20mm VIPs in conjunction with insulation with insulated render Clockwise from top left Actis Triso-super multifoil insulation; Core of va-Q-tec; inside an AcuTemp VIP

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UNDERHILL HOUSE, WARWICKSHIRE SEYMOUR-SMITH ARCHITECTS

Clockwise from top right Reflective surfaces bounce light into the deep-plan spaces; extensive south-facing glazing admits heat and light; concrete soffits and services are exposed; the reflective white finishes are complemented by colour highlights

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1 2

1. recast concrete P upstand 2. endered insulation R 3. ffcuts of insulation as O lightweight fill material 4. ild grass meadow W 5. recast concrete wall P panel 6. aterproofing W 7. nsulation I 5 6 7 See detail 2, p 28
0 1m

Section

See detail 1, p 26

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GREENHOUSE, MIXED USE DEVELOPMENT LEEDS WEST AND MACHELL ARCHITECTS

Below View of the development looking west over Leeds

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