Kalwall® translucent cladding
has helped the New Belgium Brewing company accomplish a raft of sustainability
awards for its latest brewery on the East Coast of the USA.
Specified by international architects
Perkins + Will, the new brewery in Asheville has been hailed as a showcase for
the art of sustainable practice and design. The project earned three LEED
Silver Certifications for the Distribution Center, Gold for the Brew House and
Platinum for the ‘Liquid Centre’. At the SEAL Business Sustainability Awards event,
all this helped New Belgium Brewing be recognised as one of ‘The 50 most
sustainable companies in the world’.
The innovative use of Kalwall in the
clerestory adds to the building’s striking appearance as well as contributing
valuable points for the LEED ratings. Not only does Kalwall diffuse daylighting
deep into the interior but it removes shadows and glare and the stark contrasts
of light and shade. The system also enhances simplicity in external design by
eliminating the need for blinds, curtains or solar control. Kalwall’s
insulating properties also mean that U-values down to 0.28 can be achieved,
thereby helping with the important requirements of Part L.
All this contributes to a more
comfortable and safer environment for the occupants. In addition, studies have
shown that the use of natural light in commercial spaces improves employee
satisfaction, reduces absences and boosts employee productivity levels.
Kalwall’s exterior face is colour stable
with formulated with a UV resistant self-cleaning resin. This means that normal
rainfall helps to keep the surface free of dust and dirt, while at the same
time retaining its original colour during the weathering process.
Case studies and technical information
are available from Structura UK Ltd on tel: 01233 501 504 or by visiting www.structura-uk.com/kalwall
