The UK’s very first project to incorporate Kalwall® UV resistant weathering surface is the Jubilee Line train maintenance 'super-shed' at Stratford Market Depot in East London. Designed by Wilkinson Eyre Architects in the mid-90s, this exemplar project is still significant because it demonstrates Kalwall’s low maintenance and cost effective performance which has not required major attention for nearly two decades. More recent mass transport projects include the new Translink facility in Belfast as well as many railway and bus stations.
Kalwall is the most highly insulating light transmitting cladding and skylighting system available. It is designed to diffuse daylight, flooding an interior with Museum-quality Daylighting™ without the glare and shadows produced by conventional glazing or the needs for blinds.
Energy running costs are reduced because of the system’s superior insulation which provides a much enhanced U value. This reduces energy consumption for artificial lighting, air-conditioning and heating. An insulation value of up to 0.28 W/m2K can be achieved by introducing aerogel insulation within the panels to provide the same insulation value as a solid wall.
In addition to all types of new projects, Kalwall is increasingly used for the refurbishment of aged buildings and to replace failed curtain-walling or skylighting. Structura UK is the exclusive distributor for Kalwall translucent daylight building systems for England, Wales and Northern Ireland. Case studies and technical information are available from Structura UK Ltd from Tel: 01233 501 504 or visit www.structura-uk.com/kalwall.
