Tyvek® Advanced Building Membrane Is Fit For Purpose At New Sports Hall

The impressive new 1,435 square metres Little Venice Sports Centre, in Paddington, West London was commissioned by Westminster Council to provide the very best in leisure and learning facilities for the community. It was also designed to be as energy-efficient as possible and the specification of advanced materials and systems was core to the project. Designed by LCE Architects and developed in partnership with the Council’s “Go Green Board,” the building also proudly sports a “green roof.”

Three high-performance membranes from DuPont Building Innovations play their part in the design, both in protecting the attractive, contemporary structure, while also helping to improve the thermal performance of the building. DuPont™ Tyvek® UV Facade was developed using the same unique technology that has made DuPont™ Tyvek® the market leading breather membrane and this innovative solution allows for greater freedom and confidence when designing open-jointed facades. The material has been used on the rainscreen walls of the Sports Hall, where it sits behind Finnforest Thermowood timber cladding to give vital protection against UV exposure. 

According to Mark Hewitt of LCE Architects, DuPont™ Tyvek® UV Façade was chosen because, “the design preference was for an open jointed timber cladding system (for reasons of material ventilation, solar shading, environmental material management and appearance) and so a breather membrane was required that could withstand the damaging effects of UV radiation. Guaranteed long term performance was needed to match or exceed that of the Thermowood cladding, which requires no through life maintenance, and the structural integrity of the membrane ensures that it is difficult to damage during construction.”

In partnership with DuPont™ Tyvek® UV Facade, two other products from the DuPont™ Tyvek® family of advanced membranes also offer their renowned protection to other areas of the structure. DuPont™ Tyvek® Supro features behind those exterior walls which have sealed the Bailey Eaves Systems metal sheeting (rather than the areas of timber cladding), while DuPont™ AirGuard® Control is installed between the insulated steel frame and the internal linings of certain external walls.

Mark Hewitt adds, “DuPont™ Tyvek® Supro was specified as the breather membrane behind the secondary steelwork and aluminium rain screen because it offers the good moisture and tear-resistance that was required and has a high vapour-permeability to ensure the external walls can properly breathe, while DuPont™ AirGuard® Control provides further vapour control and acts as an important air-leakage barrier. ”

So users of the new centre will be able to enjoy the seven games courts, multi-purpose dance studio, fitness suite, library and fully equipped IT skills hub in comfort, while managers can expect to keep energy costs down in this highly efficient facility.