Kooltherm K5 insulation boards supplied by Kingspan Insulation have
helped the Pilbara Vernacular Demonstration Home deliver a high energy rating.
Designed specifically to provide comfort and efficiency in the rugged
Pilbara region of northern Western Australia, the newly constructed Pilbara
Vernacular Demonstration Home proves the importance and effectiveness of ‘fit
for purpose’ structures.
Built as part of a Landcorp program to create a residential dwelling
design that perfectly suited the Pilbara climate and character, the demo home
was specified a range of building features and materials by Gresley Abas
Architects to achieve a remarkable 8.1 Star energy efficiency rating.
The decision to use the K-Series external insulation system from
Practica MMC, featuring high performance rigid Kooltherm K5 external wall board
(50mm) supplied by Kingspan Insulation, was instrumental in delivering a high
energy rating without compromising the clean and lightweight aesthetics of the
structure.
Builder Brydon Eaton from Eaton Building explained that the plentiful
ventilation and shading features of the demo home required a cladding solution
that would be easy to work with, extremely strong and adaptable to variable
home usage throughout the year.
According to Brydon, the K-Series cladding was not only aesthetic in
appearance but also gave them room to move with its slimline dimensions and lightness
allowing the builder to work to very fine tolerances. He adds that the extremely
impressive thermal performance with high R-Values up to R4.0 makes the
insulation product ideally suited to this project.
The K-Series insulation system also adds safety to its list of attributes
by delivering an outstanding BAL-40 fire rating.
The Pilbara Vernacular Demonstration Home can be modelled around
different internal floor plans based on the nature of the occupancy.
