Ann Court, St Helier, Jersey – Axis Mason Architects/URSA Collaboration

Urban development within St. Helier, the capital of Jersey, is gathering momentum with URSA seeing its glass mineral wool insulation products specified.

Urban development within St. Helier, the capital of Jersey, is gathering momentum with URSA seeing its glass mineral wool insulation products specified.

With Jersey being the largest of the Channel Islands,St. Helier is a lively harbour town and has become one of the UK’s most popular tourist attractions, creating a high demand for ongoing residential and commercial development. Both its commercial port and marina, as well as the centre and the main neighbourhoods, are undergoing an in-depth study for the renovation of its building stock and the transformation of the urban landscape it offers.

The ultimate objective is a profound urban regeneration carried out through the creation of a commercial heart open to the sea with modern, sustainable and healthy residential developments in the town centre and on the outskirts to ensure the demands of future growth. It also aims to reduce traffic and create a walkable environment for pedestrians and cyclists with green and open spaces.

In the north of the town is Ann Court, a large development located next to a municipal park, being built on the site of a recently demolished car park. Developed by Andium Homes, construction is nearing completion on the development of 165 new homes of different sizes and orientations (with internal and external courtyards), but with a common standard: the energy efficiency and sustainability of the whole complex.

To support the sustainable objectives, architects have specified a ventilated façade that offers thermal and acoustic comfort, whilst preventing moisture penetration and condensation. A correctly designed ventilated façade system also offers a fire safe structure, prolongs the life of the building and enhances its energy efficiency.

As part of the specification, 2,400m² of 220mm URSA WALLTEC BLACK 32 were specified. The choice of material was the direct decision of the architect Stephen Marshall of Axis Mason Architects, who decided on the glass mineral wool insulation slabs after learning about their performance and the knowledge provided by URSA’s technical office.

URSA WALLTEC BLACK 32 is a non-combustible British Board of Agrément (BBA) approved glass mineral wool insulation slab. It is treated with a silicon-based water repellent and features a black glass fibre tissue facing on one side which is applied during the manufacturing process. The black tissue facing provides an aesthetic solution, allowing the product to be used behind open joint cladding without being visible.

Once the URSA WALLTEC BLACK 32 has been fixed, the façade is completed with the installation of the cladding to create a cavity that ensures the properties of the system.

This imposing façade enveloping the courtyards of Ann Court facilitates a new building in the north of St. Helier where social interaction, tranquillity, quality, comfort and healthiness are guaranteed.