click images to see a slideshow

Local housebuilder Eminence Homes had previously used the H+H UK Thin-joint system but had either applied render or used traditional brickwork with a cavity for the external finishes. However for their 3-storey development of 24 modern apartments in Knowle, Bristol, built by sister company Circle Construction, they wanted to reduce their programme and subsequent site prelim costs so Gebrik was chosen to satisfy the client, builder and, of course, local planners.

Not only did Eminence benefit from speed of construction but there was significantly less waste from both systems. Perhaps more importantly Eminence wanted to achieve a target of Level 3 of the Code For Sustainable Homes, which was comfortably achieved thanks to the thermal mass and solid wall combination of both the Gebrik and Thin-joint - the completed development achieves a U value within 0.24W/m²K

Approx 750m² of Gebrik was used to clad the building, in addition to render and cedar boarding, all of which was supplied and installed by specialist cladding contractor Rateavon Ltd. This ensured the client had one point of contact responsible for the interfaces of the entire external envelope.

Upon completion, Eminence Homes and Circle Construction director, Marcus Hasell, commented, "We decided on the combination of Gebrik and Thin-joint due to the speed, quality and cost advantages it could offer in reducing prelims and wastage. We were able to secure deposits for most of the apartments off plan so for us the sooner we could complete the sooner we could realise the return on our investment. Circle Construction are part of the nationwide recommended contractor network for H&H and having seen the ease with which Gebrik was installed we are now in talks with Aquarian Cladding to become an approved installer of Gebrik so that we can offer a complete solution to future clients and for our own developments"

The Carpenter's Place development occupies the site of a former pub, known as the Venture Inn, which was the favourite watering hole for more than 30 years of George Carpenter, the grandfather of Eminence and Circle's other director Chris Linegar's grandfather. Chris said "I am proud to be able to honour my grandfather by putting his name to such a high quality building"

Please click on any of the images on the right to view a slideshow showing application and the results of Gebrik used at the Carpenters Place development.

• Client: Eminence Homes Ltd
• Architect: Quattro Design
• Main Contractor: Circle Construction Ltd
• Cladding Contractor: Rateavon Ltd
• Insured by: NHBC