Aerogel thermal insulation – One of the first applications in Czech Republic.pdf

PRESS RELEASE - Space Innovations, v.o.s. (2012) Page | 1 Aerogel thermal insulation – One of the first applications in Czech Republic PRESS RELEASE - Space Innovations, May 2012 Architecture and research studio Space Innovations (SPIN), founded by the Czech architect Ondrej Doule, insulated family villa house constructed in 1921 using aerogel thermal insulation. Aerogel is mostly used in space sector for scientific research and for thermal insulation of space suits. The goal of the SPIN research studio supported with this experiment is to inform and to enable technology transfer and utilization of advanced technologies and materials from space sector in terrestrial architecture. The choice of the aerogel thermal insulation for reconstruction of the villa from 1921 had a strong rationale. ?Thermal insulation thicker than 1 cm would negatively affect the original architecture of the facade, especially its details. Application of regular polystyrene or mineral insulation would build up additional volume on the building facade, making it impossible to preserve and reconstruct the architectural details. Unlike these regular materials, aerogel insulation with its fractional Figure 1 – Insulated part under scuffolding PRESS RELEASE - Space Innovations, v.o.s. (2012) Page | 2 thickness allows application of traditional hand cast render techniques preserving the original look of the villa from 1921“, explains Ondrej Doule. One of the main benefits of the aerogel insulation is its significantly lower thermal conductivity in comparison to traditional insulation materials. The insulation used on the 1921 villa is only 1 cm thick (see Figure 1) and its application therefore does not mean destructive action for the building architecture. The insulation was ?inserted” under the core layer of the render without altering the building appearance. Aerogel materi