Building envelope and energy conservation: UV protection and high durability solutions

The Sibaritide Hospital, under construction in Calabria, Italy, is a project designed to ensure energy conservation and durability over time. A key element for this objective is the design of the building envelope, which must ensure weather protection, thermal efficiency and durability.
When constructing a building of this size, exposed to constant solar radiation and variable climatic conditions, the choice of materials for the envelope is crucial.

The membranes used in the construction play an external protective role, especially during the construction phase, and in the long term they have a direct impact on energy performance and internal comfort.

An effective membrane must therefore ensure correct moisture control and prevent condensation, while at the same time it must be highly resistant to adverse weather conditions, UV rays and mechanical stress, in order to guarantee the integrity of the building envelope and ensure ongoing energy savings.

Prefabrication and dry technologies to reduce construction time

The hospital was designed with a hybrid steel-to-concrete structure, a combination with high mechanical and anti-seismic performance.
To optimise construction time and improve the energy performance of the building envelope, the dry modular construction system "Modulo JJ" by Jendy Joss Building was chosen. These elements provide thermal and acoustic insulation, energy savings, fire resistance and quick installation, minimising waste and optimising construction efficiency.

UV-resistant membranes: durability for the building envelope and energy conservation.

Breathable membranes were applied to the modular elements to complete the protection of the building envelope: for this project, the self-adhesive monolithic TRASPIR EVO UV ADHESIVE membrane was selected, which was developed to withstand prolonged exposure to UV rays and aggressive atmospheric agents.

Characteristics of TRASPIR EVO UV ADHESIVE

The use of this membrane in the Sibaritide Hospital is based on a range of technical and performance advantages:

• Resistant to UV rays: UV resistance is permanent even when exposed to open joints on façades up to 35 mm wide and uncovering a maximum of 30 % of the surface area for façade application.

• Controlled breathability: allows water vapour to escape, helping to prevent condensation and mould, both of which affect indoor air quality.

• Impermeability to atmospheric agents: the monolithic structure offers excellent resistance to atmospheric and chemical agents, providing temporary protection for 10 weeks during the construction phase.

• Self-adhesive: simplifies installation and improves the seal of the envelope without the need for mechanical fasteners.

• Reaction to fire: contributes to fire safety, a fundamental aspect in a hospital complex. It has a reaction to fire classification of B-s1,d0 and flame retardant capacity according to EN 13501-1, guaranteeing low flame spread and increasing the safety of the building and its occupants

• Flexible application: it can be used on different types of substrate, including timber, concrete and mixed systems.

The project involved the supply of 20,000 m² of membrane, which provided continuous and uniform protection on all external surfaces of the building, ensuring the durability of the building envelope and long-term energy savings.

The importance of a resistant and breathable building envelope

A building envelope that is well designed in every construction detail plays an active role in thermal regulation and indoor air quality. The right balance between protection from atmospheric agents and breathability improves living comfort, reduces energy consumption and increases the lifespan of construction materials.

In the case of the Sibaritide Hospital, the use of TRASPIR EVO UV ADHESIVE provides a protection system that guarantees impermeability to water without compromising breathability, an essential feature for buildings with a high standard of indoor air quality and focused on energy saving.

Sustainable building materials for concrete as well

Breathable membranes do not only apply to timber constructions. The Sibaritide Hospital project shows that these technologies can also be successfully applied to buildings with concrete or steel structures.

The implementation of solutions such as TRASPIR EVO UV ADHESIVE makes it possible to reduce energy consumption, lower the environmental impact and improve the quality of the entire structure.

Find out more here: https://www.rothoblaas.com/products/airtightness-and-waterproofing/self-adhesive-membranes/traspir-evo-uv-adhesive

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