Wide range of Knauf products used to construct Southampton’s tallest residential tower
Project Data
Value: £16m
Architect: Scott Brownrigg
Main Contractor: Crest Nicholson
Subcontractor: Diamond Drylining
Products used: Knauf Drywall Partition Systems, Knauf Acoustic Solutions, Knauf High Performance Plasterboards, Knauf Deflection Head Fire Seal, Knauf Corridor 400
Photography credit: Scott Brownrigg
Project Details
The construction of Centenary Quay Block J1, a 27-storey apartment building and the tallest residential tower in Southampton, is part of the development of a former ship building yard. The project, located on a unique site by the mouth of the river Itchen, used a wide range of Knauf drywall systems for the walls and ceilings.
Christopher Spicer, Architect at Scott Brownrigg, explains how the various Knauf products and systems used helped construct the development: “As architects, when working on a residential high-rise building, we have a range of conditions that need to be met. We need to ensure we use products with good performance characteristics in areas like fire separation and acoustics. The Knauf products used help meet these requirements. We’re always happy to use Knauf as we know they will meet the specification needs.”
To ensure comfortable living for all residents of the new apartment tower, a wide variety of Knauf acoustic products were used. These included walls constructed with high performing plasterboards such as Knauf Performance Plus and Knauf Soundshield Plus.
Knauf Corridor 400, a self-supporting demountable acoustic ceiling system was used in the building in addition to Knauf Akustikpanel BQ8, perforated ceiling panels which not only absorb sound but improve air quality through decomposing harmful volatile organic compounds (VOCs) given off by building materials, furniture and cleaning products.
To guarantee compliance with fire protection standards and to simplify their installation, Knauf’s Deflection Head Fire Seal was employed in the construction of the drywall systems.
Christopher commented on the support he received from the Knauf Team throughout the project: “During the development of the project we’ve had regular meetings with Knauf, and they’ve been really helpful. We’ve worked together through several design changes to the scheme, and they’ve helped provide solutions and updates as and when needed. They’ve answered our queries and held workshops with us – it’s been great working with their Technical Team.”
The 85 metre (278 ft) tower is the fifth phase of the Centenary Quay development, the first of three towers and will deliver 165 apartments. In total, the Centenary Quay site is due to provide over 1,600 homes, as well as facilities in the marine sector, a hotel and retail outlets.