INCA Awards 2018 – Results

The INCA Awards 2018 culminated with an exciting ceremony held at the Hilton Manchester Deansgate, with around 200 guests in attendance.

This year saw entries from all over the country, with over 70 entries received from Dartford, all the way to Dundee. Projects were recognised for their innovative design and exceptional quality. The newly introduced Heritage Award also celebrated projects that have proven to have stood the test of time.

The event was a huge success. If you missed it this year, a full round up of the results including all winners and highly commended projects from the event can be found below and in the INCA Awards 2018 brochure which can be found here. Entries for The INCA Awards 2019 open in February. We look forward to seeing you again next year.

We are pleased to announce that we have now opened sponsorship registration for the INCA Awards 2019!

Following on from the huge success of this year’s awards, this is a great opportunity to get in early and be a part of an even bigger celebration in 2019. INCA will be focusing on sharing the successes of the award winners and those shortlisted beyond our members, ensuring that quality and excellence in EWI is recognised more widely.

If you would like to be associated with excellence and quality in EWI, you are now able to register your interest in INCA sponsorship. If registered, you will be first to receive the details of our sponsorship packages along with first-refusal. Please email info@inca-ltd.org.uk.

Phil Joyner

1 of the 2 winners of the prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award was Phil Joyner. Phil has played a remarkably active role in INCA over the years as a founding member of the Association. He first became a member in August 1996 and has been selfless in his support of the industry over the years.

One of his major legacies is driving training, in particular an NVQ for the industry. Mitch Gee, current Chairman of INCA said of Phil “he has the energy of a man half his age. He has a clear vision for the industry and is still working hard to try and deliver it”.

Bob Deane 

Also taking home the award for the Lifetime Achievement was Bob Deane. He is at the helm of a business that continues to look for innovative and new opportunities, whilst at the same time looking after the core values of offering customers a robust system at a fair price, together with excellent service levels.

Winner

Victoria Wharf
Cardiff Bay
Contractor: SERS
System Designer: SPSenvirowall/Alsecco

The winner of the first ever Heritage Award was Victoria Wharf. Completed in 2008, Victoria Wharf is a long-standing focal point for drivers and passers-by. Due to its exposed location, the client required exceptional design support and detailing, something that SPSenvirowall and Alsecco were able to provide.

The judges were impressed by this architecturally strong building with impressive detailing including wide overhangs.

Highly Commended

3 Multi-Storey Blocks
Port Glasgow
Contractor: A.C. Whyte & Co.
System Designer: Weber

Highly Commended in the Heritage Award Category, this £1.4m project was completed in 2008, and comprised the external refurbishment of three run down fifteen-storey blocks of flats in Port Glasgow for Inverclyde Council. The blocks required significant concrete repairs to the existing concrete panel substrate and had significant water penetration.

This, alongside challenges from severe weather conditions and the area around the blocks being tight meant that the project was not straightforward.

Highly Commended

Barlands and Brookridge Houses
Bristol
System Designer: Alsecco

Another Highly Commended project from the Heritage Award category was Barlands and Brookridge Houses, a project dating from 2002, the 15 storey tower blocks are externally insulated and decorated using acrylic and clay brick slips to largely match the existing bricks.

The U-value achieved was 0.35 providing significant warmth and comfort for the residents and lifting the appearance of the estate as part of a wider regeneration process. The judging panel commented on the bold patterns on the building, and were impressed by the level of detail throughout.

Winner

Winter Gardens 
Weston Super Mare
Contractor: Joyner Group
System Designer: Aliva UK

Winner of the Architectural Design Award this year was Winter Gardens. This major refurbishment project updated the iconic Winter Pavilion in Weston Super Mare, whilst building a new Law and Professional Services Academy for Weston College.

Judges commented on the impressive integration of product and architecture, and felt that the combination of old and new worked exceptionally well.

Highly Commended

Skyridge
Surrey Hills
Architect: The Steven Barlow Partnership
Contractor:  LEATHWAITE
System Designer: JUB Systems

Highly Commended in the same category went to Skyridge, a unique house which has delivered against the design challenge of building a new home in the heart of the Surrey Hills landscape.

This new contemporary low energy home sits partially submerged into the land, creating the impression from a distance, and surrounding land, that it is a single storey structure. Judges felt that the black EWI was a striking statement that many architects wouldn’t have made, given all the technical challenge it entails.

Winner

Joyner Group

Winner of the Installer of the Year award was Joyner Group. Established in the mid 80’s, Joyner Group have progressed to become one of the best respected facades contractors in the UK. Seeking projects that are often too small for the larger cladding contractors, but those that have an element of insulated render, Joyners have a strong niche that embodies quality.

Judges were particularly impressed by the ambition shown by Joyners, including working with difficult properties, providing a full end-to-end service and ensuring good community engagement. They were impressed by the balance between the number of employees and the number of projects undertaken.

Highly Commended

A.C. Whyte & Co.

Highly Commended in the category of Installer of the Year went to A.C. Whyte & Co. Established in 1973, A.C. Whyte & Co. is a main contractor undertaking major refurbishment in Scotland and the UK more broadly, specialising in external wall insulation. They were one of the first contractors to install EWI in Scotland, and work hard to continually adapt to the ever-changing market. This means a consistent focus on quality and professionalism throughout the whole customer experience.

Judges felt that the focus on training and development of their workforce was a particular strength of A.C. Whyte & Co. and were impressed by their engagement of the community, schools and colleges throughout Scotland.

S and B EPS 

For the first time this year, INCA introduced an award to celebrate Component Suppliers in EWI, frequently described as the cornerstone of the industry. Unusually, this award is voted for System Designers and this year’s first ever winner was S and B EPS.

System Designers had the following to say about S and B EPS:
“Exceptional service and quality, always prepared to go the extra mile.” and “They are a company you can trust.”

Weber

Taking home the Training Award this year were Weber. Despite challenging market conditions, 2017 was a record breaking year in terms of training for Weber, with 1,058 delegates trained through their Technical Academy. Weber were given this award for their focus on training and bridging the skills gap.

Weber believe that training is a roots down process and have built partnerships with a number of colleges across the UK, supplying material and support to train the next generation of construction professionals. This includes twice yearly educational sessions with students at the partner college facilities to introduce External Wall Insulation, its benefits and best practice installation.

The judges were impressed by Weber’s commitment to training, and the focus they retain even in a fluctuating market.

Winner

Horsley House Farm
Warwickshire
Contractor: Complete Rendering Solutions

Winner of the Refurbishment Award is Horsley House Farm, a Grade II listed building dating back to 1650 which was effectively derelict and in need of substantial repair and refurbishment.

The building was an oak frame with brick infill and took over 3 years in preparation due to significant planning constraints placed on the homeowner and developer. From an insulated render perspective, the main issues were achieving a 0.25 u-value while staying breathable and achieving a rustic finish, as well as ensuring all corners and window reveals were rounded. A fully breathable system was used which included 150mm mineral wool insulation, a full breathable basecoat and a 1.0mm mineral topcoat. The work took four weeks to complete due to the level of detail required, and the standard to which the building was finished.

The judges said about this project “The attention to detail is apparent both architecturally and technically, and it now looks like a stunning building with years of life”.

Highly Commended

Wrexham Airey Properties – Phase 1
Wrexham
Contractor: Westdale
System Designer: Structherm

Highly Commended in the Refurbishment Award category went to Wrexham Airey Properties – Phase 1. Completed in 2017, this project provided a cost-effective method of extending the life of non-traditional, structurally defective properties.

The use of this system alongside re-roofing and added external works will extend the life of the properties by 30 years. In addition, the thermal performance is now the same as a new build at 0.30 w.m2k.

Judges commended this project as bold, and were impressed by the ambition of working with difficult to treat properties.

Winner

The Creative Hub 
University of Northampton
Contractor: Complete Rendering Solutions
System Designer: Wetherby

Winner of the New Build Award this year is The Creative Hub, part of the new campus at the University of Northampton. Originally specified as EPS, but changed to mineral wool following the fire at Grenfell Tower. The project provided a number of challenges due to the straight and curved areas, as well as the variety of heights across the building with impressive thermal efficiency as well as being aesthetically pleasing.

The judges felt that this was a great example of EWI at its best, doing things that other products can not. They commented on the bold, imaginative design as well as the integration of the product and architecture. They felt that the building was all the better for the absence of visible utilities.

Highly Commended

Isle of Wight College, Centre of Excellence for
Composites, Advanced Manufacturing and Marine
Newport
Contractor: Complete Rendering Solutions
System Designer: Sto

This building sets out to provide the existing and future workforce of the Isle of Wight with an employer led training facility. The £11m building was made using a steel frame, SFS Infill and finished with Sto Rotofix EPS, chosen for its ability to cope in marine conditions whilst providing a seamless façade.

The judges described this project as technically accomplished with crisp dealing and good use of colour. They particularly liked the bold and clean design.

Winner 

EJOT UK

Product: ETICS Attachments – EJOT Iso-Family

Winner of the Innovation Award was EJOT UK. Established for over 30 years and a key supplier for many of the EWI System Designers, EJOT UK continually develops insulation anchors and products for the EWI market. With a focus on best practice within the industry, particularly under PAS2030/2035 and a need for the correct detailing of EWI systems, EJOT Iso Family provides a range of engineered products.

They provide a solution for applications which have previously relied on the use of poor-quality alternatives. In this category, judges acknowledged that an innovation in fixtures is necessary, and were impressed that these products were applicable to so many systems and buildings, as well as the thermal improvements they offer.

Highly Commended

ArtBrick

Product: ArtBrick

Highly Commended in the Innovation Award category went to ArtBrick. Capable of finishing almost any substrate, new or retrofit, Artbrick is a cost effective, efficient and innovative solution. It is quicker to apply and more robust than preformed brick slips, and rarely has a lead time for bespoke finishes.

The judges felt that this was an imaginative product that provides an innovative solution, particularly for hard to treat buildings, and were impressed by the finish that could be achieved.