ICF insulated concrete formwork

The Snooty Mehmaan, Faringdon (formerly the Snooty Fox), is well known as a refined contemporary Indian restaurant, offering superb accommodation alongside a creative menu.

SWJ were called to site to assess and draw up plans for a significant extension to the rear of the existing building, adding a conference facility and what will essentially be a ‘function room’ with capacity for 80 people.

The brief was to ensure the existing building will be left completely untouched, excepting the single storey toilet block demolition to make way for the newbuild and there will be a small amount of knocking through to complete the integration.

Our client wanted to use high performing zero-carbon technology on this project; ICF (insulating concrete form), to provide a highly efficient building in terms of both thermal and acoustic performance.

‘ICF is a system of formwork for reinforced concrete, usually made with rigid thermal insulation that stays in place as a permanent interior and exterior substrate for walls, floors and roofs.’ Wikipedia

Project Team

Client: Mehmaan

Architect: Architects

Contractor: Hadyn Wood

Following site assessment, we agreed the specification and use of ICF to form the basis of the new extension. The benefits of using ICF reach further than its minimal environmental impact;

Improved air quality

Indoor humidity levels can be better regulated due not requiring a standard plastic vapour barrier or a foam insulation filler.

Thermal properties

Because ICF can be used in any plane, the insulation properties are continual throughout the building and with a thermal resistance of typically above 3 K.m2/W, and with minimal air leakage, this technology saves more energy than uninsulated masonry.

Greater acoustic performance

When compared with the standard fibreglass and drywall solution, ICF results in around double the sound absorption properties.

However, because of the nature of ICF, despite it being up to ten times stronger than a wooden frame you can only achieve limited spans with it, so our engineers specified a steel frame in the Snooty Mehmaan’s design. This solution gave us the advantages of the strength and span benefits of steel along with the thermal performance of the overall envelope and the zero-carbon benefits of the ICF.

We are pleased to say the specifications and benefits met the brief, and we are hoping to complete the project for Summer 2019.

Contact the team at SWJ on 01993 255085 or mail@swjconsulting.co.uk to discuss the needs and potential constraints of your project.