Building London’s First Passivhaus Leisure Centre with Ravatherm XPS X 700 SL
The Challenge:
The new Spelthorne Leisure Centre aims to be one of the world’s most energy-efficient facilities and the largest in the UK built to Passivhaus standards. The basement alone houses significant features, including a filtration room, a learner pool, and a main pool with spectator seating. Achieving this requires top-notch insulation with the right compressive strength, thermal conductivity, and thickness.
The Solution:
Initially, the project team chose another XPS insulation but found it unsuitable for adhesive bonding or mechanical fixing. This led them to switch to Ravatherm XPS X 700 SL, which could be glued on easily and offered superior thermal performance. Two layers of 700SL (250mm) were applied to the pool slab’s underside and three layers (360mm) to the vertical sides, achieving a U-value of 0.08W/m²K.
The Result:
Once completed, Spelthorne Leisure Centre will be the UK’s largest wet and dry leisure centre meeting Passivhaus standards, reducing energy consumption by up to 70% compared to standard new buildings. Ravatherm XPS X 700 SL’s performance and ease of use were critical in meeting the project’s stringent requirements.
Natalie Sutton, Account Manager at Ravago Building Solutions, praised the product’s high compressive strength, thermal performance, and moisture resistance, marking its first use in a Passivhaus swimming pool. This project sets a precedent for future energy-efficient leisure centres.