Wraptite SA - ZEDpod , Shanghai

Wraptite-SA airtight membrane has been selected by RIBA award winning development pioneers ZEDfactory in an innovative solution to deliver zero carbon housing to China. The ZED Pod home has been built as part of the Shanghai Art & Design Exhibition at the Shanghai West Bund Art Centre.

The ZEDfactory concept suggests that as major cities expand they do so from the centre outwards, with the addition of a ring road every 15 years or less. Land value increases concentrically on the inner rings, leading to large-scale demolition and rebuilding at higher densities. To feed the hunger for urban expansion, it is estimated the construction materials needed can account for nearly 50% of the economy’s annual carbon footprint. Instead of large areas of demolition, ZEDfactory has designed a building, which can be easily moved into the next available ring, when required.

Wraptite-SA, self-adhering vapour permeable air barrier was installed as part of the panel construction of the home. The use of Wraptite-SA in the construction makes a signifi cant contribution to a building’s thermal performance by preventing air leakage. It also provides high vapour permeability in a continuously sealed, self-adhered, airtight membrane.

Unlike internal air barriers, which can be complex and costly to install due to the need to accommodate building services such as electrical, lighting, heating and drainage systems, Wraptite-SA is applied externally, quickly and easily to the OSB boards in continuous pieces. The membrane fully bonds to virtually any substrate, requiring no mechanical attachment, seals or tapes to suppress air leakage around junctions or penetrations.

Another key benefit of the system is that Wraptite-SA’s high vapour permeability allows damp sheathing to dry quickly and moisture vapour to escape. This ensures good indoor air quality and reduces the likelihood of mould, mildew, condensation, timber distortion and metal corrosion.