The client’s brief for the new M&S store was for a highly sustainable building that minimized the amount of carbon produced during both use and construction.
To this end, AKS Ward was commissioned to design the prefabricated Tradical Hemcrete panels for the main external wall cladding.
Pre-fabricated Hemcrete ® is a relatively new concept that relies on two very old materials for their strength and natural insulating properties; hemp and lime. The material, produced by Lime Technology Ltd, is cast into timber framed panels typically 5m long and 2.4m high.”The panels are self supporting and stacked on top of each other, being bolted back to the steel frame to provide restraint.” Weather protection is provided by a rendered board finish.
The M&S store won the overall Carbon Champion of the Year award at the annual CIBSE Building Performance Awards in February 2014.
