Creanova gypsum fibre panel combines aesthetics with practicality at LeSoCo

Knauf’s Creanova panel has been specified for a £40 million college development in South London as part of the building’s striking atrium, providing the aesthetic appeal of real wood veneer combined with the practical benefits of gypsum fibre.

LeSoCo is the amalgamation of Lewisham College and Southwark College; being developed by Richard Hopkinson Architects, Platform 5 and Deloittes. The multi-million project will create a new college building and refurbish existing buildings on its 14,100m² site in The Cut, by Waterloo.

Creanova was specified to create the cozy and inviting feel of real wood with the thermal performance of gypsum fibre panels. Peter Allen of Platform 5 Architects explains:

“Originally we wanted to use real wood as a natural material to give the space a warm, welcoming feel so we would have had hardwood timber panels fixed up to timber noggins with insulation laid behind.

We opted for Creanova because there is no thermal movement once it has been installed and the real wood veneer meant there was no compromise in appearance – it was a very close match.”

Gypsum fibre solution

After HLS Installation introduced Knauf to the project, the companies collaborated to develop pre-cut panels and a fixing system to speed up the final installation.

Pre-finished, maintenance free and moisture resistant, the panels were used on the angled ceiling, pre-mitred, with countersunk holes pre-drilled to speed up the onsite works. The straight sections were formed out of 3 metre panels cut to suit on site. 

The Knauf C profile sub-grid was used on the sloping sections of the ceiling.

Versatile aesthetics

Knauf Creanova panels are prefabricated, delivered palliated and in stacks ready for an easy installation.

The panels consist of a gypsum fibre panel with a finished surface that can be digitally printed, continuous pressure laminate (CPL) or high pressure laminate (HPL) coating, real wood veneer, lacquered or paint.

They are available curved, perforated or micro-perforated to achieve any acoustic performance, and can be supplied with magnetic whiteboard surface. The panels high density and high impact resistance mean they are ideal for areas subject to high traffic.

The digital print boards can be suppled in either a uniform or standard finish, whilst the HPL board is available in either a single colour or wood finish. 

The CPL boards are supplied in standard coating of white/grey, silver/grey, anthracite and beech/maple, whilst the boards featuring real wood veneer are available in maple, birch, beech, oak, ash and walnut.

The lacquer boards are available in clear lacquer or RAL and NCS colours on request, while all the boards in the range can be supplied in bespoke finishes as required for individual projects.

The lacquered and wood veneer boards can be bent to a radius of up to 300mm – a semi-circle – while the HPL and CPL boards can be supplied curved if required, and so extend the interior design possibilities even further.

Fire resistant

The Creanova panels are ideal for interior walls and ceilings and are suited for applications subject to strict fire regulations.

Formaldehyde-free, the non-combustible material delivers fire performance under the EN13501-1 A1, s1, d-0. This means the product makes no contribution to fire, and does not produce smoke, flaming droplets or particles.

Standard board sizes are 12, 16, 18 and 25mm thick and measure 3000, 2500, 2000, 1500, 1200 and 600mm long and 600mm wide. 

At LeSoCo bespoke sizes were used; with other thicknesses and sizes are available on request.

Knauf Insulation
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St Helens
Merseyside
WA10 3NS

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