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TRADIS - The Choice for Charter Housing
21 November 2003

Excel Building Solution's TRADIS range of factory-produced wall panels and roof plates have been specified for a sustainable housing scheme commissioned by Newport-based Charter Housing Association. Excel's TRADIS range was put forward by Ainsley Gommon Architects and Charter as the solution to both Charter and Monmouthshire County Council's requirement for high quality, environmentally responsible housing at the Monnow Court development in Monmouth, following sustainability comparisons, in which TRADIS achieved an 'A' rating.

TRADIS panels have been used to construct both the walls and a 'butterfly' roof - in place of a traditional pitched roof - for the six bungalows in the courtyard development. The 'butterfly' roof was required because the walled garden in which Monnow Court is situated, is listed and the development's roofline cannot protrude above the level of the wall.

The 200mm deep wall panels provide excellent insulation with U values of 0.16 W/m2K and the 250mm roof cassettes deliver U values of 0.13 W/m2K.

Each TRADIS panel comprises: a frame of Engineered I Beams, sheathed externally with Panelvent and internally with Paneline, and fully filled with Warmcel 500 insulation.  All of these component materials in the TRADIS structure are manufactured from sustainable or recycled sources, including the Warmcel 500 insulation, which is manufactured from recycled newspaper.

Commenting on the development, Neil McGill, Lead Project Architect with Ainsley Gommon said: "Charter Housing wanted an environmentally sustainable solution for the development of six bungalows for the disabled, which would allow residents to live independently in comfortable surroundings and one which would enable them to integrate with the local community as much as possible.

"We subjected a number of options to a sustainability comparison. TRADIS emerged as the preferred option with an 'A' rating - due to the sustainable materials used in its manufacture, including recycled newspaper, wood waste and timber from sustainable sources - and also due to the natural wood cellulose used in the manufacturing process.

"Speed of construction was also an important factor for the scheme, as the residents are due to move into Monnow Court from their existing accommodation in early December 2003. Because the TRADIS panels are manufactured off-site to minimise waste and to significantly accelerate on-site build time, it has been possible to build all six units within ten weeks."

Externally, the bungalows will be clad in a combination of stone, brickwork and render. Work on Monnow Court began in June, and is expected to be completed on time, at the end of November.