A combination of external wall insulation and brick
slips from Sto were specified for a major new landmark building in Birmingham. The StoTherm Mineral K insulation system and StoBrick were chosen for the city’s new Toybox student accommodation building for their ability to combine outstanding thermal performance with a traditional brick appearance, and blend with other construction materials. The 15-storey Toybox building is built on a prominent site near Birmingham city centre.
The StoTherm Mineral K insulation system uses mineral fibre boards which were adhesively fixed to the substrate. This allowed for fast and easy installation, and the accommodation of the curved surfaces found on the building’s façade. The system provides a high level of thermal performance, outstanding fire protection and effective sound insulation.
Its single-leaf external construction also does not reduce the interior space of the building. To create the impressive ‘shark fin’ appearance for the completed building and extend the range of surface textures used, project architects Corstorphine + Wright specified glazed ceramic StoBrick slips, in a contrasting green colour to the grey Sto resin brick slips used on other areas of the façade. StoBrick has been developed as a brick cladding solution for use with mineral-fibre based insulation systems, to provide architects with the opportunity to incorporate genuine clay brick finishes into their façade designs, whilst also achieving the required A2-s1, d0 fire rating.
Its single-leaf external construction also does not reduce the interior space of the building. To create the impressive ‘shark fin’ appearance for the completed building and extend the range of surface textures used, project architects Corstorphine + Wright specified glazed ceramic StoBrick slips, in a contrasting green colour to the grey Sto resin brick slips used on other areas of the façade. StoBrick has been developed as a brick cladding solution for use with mineral-fibre based insulation systems, to provide architects with the opportunity to incorporate genuine clay brick finishes into their façade designs, whilst also achieving the required A2-s1, d0 fire rating.
The BBA certified Sto resin brick slips also used on this project are manufactured from synthetic acrylic render and are compatible with all Sto façade systems, offering outstanding resistance to the effects of weathering, impact damage and mechanical stress.
Sto brick slips are available in a wide range of colours, sizes and textures, covering all requirements from surface structures which provide maximum visual impact through to those where a more uniform and consistent brick appearance is required. Sto also offers bespoke options for the resin brick slips, which enable architects to match existing brickwork in relation to colour, size and texture, thus providing a virtually unlimited range of design possibilities.