
TEK Building System
High performance structural insulated panels
Recent increases in the school’s intake meant that the existing lunch facilities, located away from the main buildings, needed to be upgraded. Studio LIME proposed a simple pitched roof design, using brightly coloured cladding to encourage students to enjoy healthy school meals inside. The construction work was completed by Jones Building Group during term time. This was one of the reasons the TEK Building System was specified.
The offsite production process minimised site waste and allowed the panels to be quickly erected. Once a breather membrane was applied to the outer face of the panels, the structure was watertight allowing internal trades to begin work.
"The Kingspan TEK Building System was chosen to reduce the on-site duration of the project and the noise and disruption that goes with it. A number of classrooms are located nearby and operated effectively for the duration of the project. We were also keen to use the system as it allowed us to get a weather proof envelope as quickly as possible, reducing the scope for delays.
By using the Kingspan TEK panels on the roof and walls, we were able to have consistent detailing across the whole of the building envelope. This significantly reduced the number and complexity of different interfaces, minimising the potential for future maintenance issues".
Alex Robertson - Architect, Studio LIME
Under the Bristol Core Strategy, it was also essential that the building achieved a high level of energy efficiency. The TEK Building System supported a fabric first construction approach, limiting the heating demand of the building. The insulated core of the structural insulated panel allowed U-values of 0.17 W/m2K to be reached on the wall and roof whilst its OSB/3 facing and unique jointing system minimised air-leakage through the building envelope.
The lightweight design and excellent spanning capability of the panels also allowed the size and weight of the roof supports to be significantly reduced compared with alternative fabric options. This made the building more cost effective to construct and allowed acoustic plenums to be formed over the dining hall to minimise noise.
Page reviewed: 28/07/25