RENOLIT ALKORPLAN roofing products elevates Oxford’s Gradel Quadrangles with aesthetic, sustainable, and technological innovations
RENOLIT ALKORPLAN roofing products elevates Oxford’s Gradel Quadrangles with aesthetic, sustainable, and technological innovations
The company has participated in the development of Oxford University’s new Gradel Quadrangles, employing AR and AI technologies to enhance its commitment to environmental responsibility and roofing excellence. The project, praised for its unique design and sustainability, showcases advanced waterproofing techniques and collaboration for a greener future in construction.
RENOLIT ALKORPLAN roofing products has played a pivotal role in the development of the new Gradel Quadrangles at Oxford University’s New College, leveraging the innovative use of Augmented Reality (AR) and Artificial Intelligence (AI) to enhance project outcomes.
This ambitious project, featuring a three-storey quadrangle-style building, includes student accommodation, educational facilities, a porter’s lodge, and a landmark 21.5m tower. The Gradel Quadrangles project has been praised for its aesthetic excellence and sustainability, and it has received the SPRA Award 2024 for “Best Detailing”, highlighting the innovative and sustainable approach taken by RENOLIT ALKORPLAN roofing products.
“This project is a testament to what can be achieved when industry leaders come together to challenge the status quo and push for a more sustainable future. Receiving the SPRA Award for ‘Best Detailing’ is a remarkable honour that reflects our dedication to sustainable innovation and quality in roofing solutions”, says Keith Steele, National Sales Manager of RENOLIT ALKORPLAN roofing products.
A project of sustainable roofing innovation
The Gradel Quadrangles project stands as an ambitious new development, featuring a three-storey quadrangle-style building that includes student accommodation, educational facilities, a porter’s lodge, and a landmark 21.5m tower. A key focus of the project was to align with New College’s objective ofreachingnet zero carbon by 2035, prompting a re-evaluation of the initial sprayed concrete roof design in favour of a more sustainable solution.
Through a collaborative effort with David Kohn Architects and structural engineers, the project embraced innovative approaches such as utilising Building Information Modelling (BIM) technology for precise material quantification and whole life carbon assessments. The team also leveraged Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) for significant carbon savings and employed the tracker+ carbon capture tool for comprehensive sustainability data management from the supply chain. The works were carried on by Sir Robert McAlpine.
For the critical task of waterproofing, RENOLIT ALKORPLAN Alkorplan F membrane was selected, paired with the innovative RENOLIT ALKORPLAN Solar mount system to secure the bespoke tiles.
Safety, strength, and durability in a design with high aesthetic value
The execution of the Gradel Quadrangles project required meticulous planning and innovative techniques, such as AR and AI, to meet the ambitious sustainability goals set by New College.
RENOLIT ALKORPLAN roofing products took on the challenge of waterproofing this complex structure with a keen focus on both durability and aesthetic appeal. The project began with the installationof a single ply membrane, underpinned by the RENOLIT ALKORPLAN Solar bar, guaranteeing a robust 20-year warranty. The roof’s intricate geometry required the application of three layers of insulation, starting with a 105mm thick base layer, followed by two subsequent layers of 60mm. This strategic reduction in the thickness of the second and third layers was crucial for achieving the stunning rolling curves and free-flowing design of the roof.
Once the waterproofing was securely in place, the team embarked on setting out and installing the RENOLIT ALKORPLAN Solar bar, with its position meticulously calculated by engineers using Augmented Reality (AR) software. This advanced technology modelled a net, employing an AI algorithm to precisely calculate the placement of each of the 4,000 tiles required for the roof. Utilising the AR software on mobile phones enabled the team to model all tiles, the Solar bar, and the top hat, facilitating the filtering through layers to pinpoint exact locations within the project.
Ensuring each tile was oriented correctly was paramount, as this precision allowed them to seamlessly nestle together, forming a perfect, free-flowing roof, and provided the bond that fortified the tiles’ strength. With 8,000 plates meticulously set out and affixed, the subsequent step involved thermally welding the RENOLIT ALKORPLAN roofing products’ F membrane to the plate. This welding bond was essential, offering the adhesion needed to support the RENOLIT ALKORPLAN Solar bar, which in turn, supported a top hat and ultimately the tile. This structure ensured that, even under wind suction loading, the integrity of the roof would remain intact, all the way back to the substrate.
The PVC-P profile forms the base of the system. Hot air welding is used to fuse the RENOLIT ALKORPLAN Solar profile to the roofing membrane for a fully integrated finish. The profile is securely fixed in place and cannot move and is therefore able to host creative finishings such as in the Oxford University. This is without the slightest risk of penetrating the waterproofing membrane!
Adorned with 3mm anodized aluminium polygonal-shaped tiles in a light bronze colour, the structure accentuates the building’s stone features and contributing to the overall aesthetic excellence. Transitioning from a concrete design to a glulam timber structure with tessellated aluminium tiles not only achieved the desired modern aesthetic but also offered a cost-effective, sustainable alternative. This strategic choice reduced embodied carbon, decreased construction time by three months, and garnered recognition from the Institute of Civil Engineers (ICE) Carbon Champion programme.
Industry recognition for unique architectural excellence
The project has been praised as “striking and ambitious” by the Oxford Design Review panel and described as “unusual, quite unlike anything currently in Oxford” by Historic England, underscoring its unique contribution to the architectural landscape. It has also been awarded the SPRA Award 2024 for “Best Detailing”, a recognition given by the Single Ply Roofing Association – which represents the UK’s single ply roofing industry -, dedicated to promoting growth, sustainability, and high standards within the sector.
About RENOLIT ALKORPLAN roofing products
Part of the German RENOLIT Group, RENOLIT ALKORPLAN roofing products is one of the reference points for the production of durable, versatile, and high- quality certified synthetic membranes for waterproofing roofs and covers, swimming pools, and civil engineering works. Headquartered in Sant Celoni, north of Barcelona, the market unit has about 300 employees and a production of one million rolls of membranes a year.
Reliability, impeccable style, energy saving, sustainability, quick installation, and high durability are the strengths of RENOLIT ALKORPLAN roofing membranes.
Main characteristics of the Roofing Division are the wide range of products, a flexible customer-oriented approach, strong know-how and all-round technical assistance on site, thus providing suitable roofing solutions to each specific problem.
About the Company
The RENOLITGroup is a world leader in high-quality membranes, films, and other plastic products. With more than 30 sales units and production sites in over 20 countries and a turnover of more than 1,200 million Euro, the company with headquarters in Worms (Germany) is one of the world’s leading plastics manufacturers. Approximately 5,000 employees are engaged every day in the continuous development of know-how that has been built up over 75 years.
In 2019, RENOLIT joined the Circular Plastics Alliance (CPA), an initiative promoted by more than 100 European entities, including SMEs, large companies, research institutes and administrative authorities whose aim is to promote voluntary actions for a European market that is attentive and sensitive to plastics recycling.
