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ICOPAL PLANTS ITS ROOTS IN SCOTTISH NATIONAL TRUST PROJECT

When it came to specifying an affordable, environmentally friendly roofing system, which had minimal impact on the natural surroundings of the historic Culloden battlefield, Gareth Hoskins’ architects, found Icopal products the grass roots of the project.

Icopal’s Greenpeace-approved Sure-Weld TPO waterproofing membrane was installed adjacent to and under an Icopal intensive green roof as part of a scheme to transform Cul-loden’s 1970s visitor centre/museum, which was struggling to cope with visitor numbers, into a £9 million state-of-the-art yet sustainable venue fit for the 21st century.

Situated on the 65-hectare site that saw the final clash between the Jacobites and Hano-verians in 1746 – the last ever battle on British soil - the new centre had to tell the Cullo-den story in an innovative way but also be sympathetic and integrate with the surrounding battlefield that is a designated war grave and historic monument.

The brief to the architects from the National Trust for Scotland was for a world-class visitor centre/museum and visitor support as well as a memorial to the fallen. Working closely alongside archaeologists, landscape architects and local planning authorities, Gareth Hoskins’ design for the 2,400m2 facility focuses richly on the visitor experience and com-prises interpretation of battle slideshows of the history and aftermath, education and con-ference facilities, a cafe, restaurant and shop.

Due to the sensitivities of the project, which has been described as ‘internationally signifi-cant’ by the Scottish Executive, Gareth Hoskins were tasked with specifying a roofing sys-tem which was not only eco-friendly and affordable but also sustainable and in keeping with the building’s design specifications.

Their solution for the international competition award winning, steel-framed building incor-porated an unusual hybrid roof that includes three areas - flat, concave-curved and inten-sive green roof - with Sure-Weld TPO the common denominator. This Thermoplastic Poly-olefin single-ply membrane is specially formulated for long-term exposure without the use of either polymeric or liquid plasticisers.

It was used under the green roof that acts as viewing platform and by itself on the flat and curved sections that are remininiscent of shallow waves, echoing the exact lines of the dis-tant hills. These also perform a function by integrating high-level windows, allowing natural light to stream inside. The ceilings underneath these areas follow the line of the curves and bear the names of project donors.

The lightweight green roof not only blends in with the natural habitat of Culloden Moor but also helps to remove atmospheric pollutants and improve air quality. This is bounded by decking to help give access to all visitors.

Nick Domminney, projects director at Gareth Hoskins who had not used Icopal products before, said: “The site is extremely sensitive. The client wanted maximum but affordable sustainability and to minimise impact on the battlefield. We specified Icopal for the recy-clable TPO and the intensive green roof system, and the support we received and the guarantee gave us confidence.

“The accessible green roof is a fundamental part of the design and the fully adhered sys-tem meant detailing was simplified. The colour of the curved roofs was an agreed substi-tute for the planning approved metal sheet.”

Andy Campbell, single ply contracts manager at SRS, the roofing sub-contractors for main contractors Morrison Construction, said: “Apart from some difficult weather conditions at the start and towards the end of the roofing works, the project was relatively straight-forward.

“The Icopal Sure-Weld membrane is performing well and was chosen for this particular project by the design team because of its eco-friendly nature which fitted in well with the whole ethos of the design to incorporate fully sustainable products.”