Fact File
Sector: Hotel & Leisure
Location: Kilkenny, Ireland
Building Owner: IMC
Architects: Brian Dunlop Architects
Main Contractor: Kevin Moore Ltd.
Cladding Contractors: S. R. S. Steel & Roofing Systems
Rainscreen Substructure: Steel Framing System | QuadCore™ Karrier
Rainscreen Façade: Dri Design Shadow | Shingle | Evolution Axis
Completion: 2019
Built on the site of a former cattle market, the new 1,400-seat Multiplex Cinema in Kilkenny has been designed to become an icon of the city’s culture. The building will form the centrepiece of a much larger leisure development planned for the 11-acre site. Therefore, it was important that it set the tone both in terms of aesthetics and build quality. This led to the specification of a number of Kingspan Facades products, including the innovative Kingspan Dri-Design Shadow Rainscreen Façade System.
Kingspan Jindal, a joint venture company of Kingspan PLC and Jindal Mectec, has introduced the Dri design façades in India; a few projects are under execution and will be completed in 2020
Raveesh Bagla, Country Head - Architectural Facades, Kingspan Jindal
Design
As a building with no requirement for windows except for in the foyer area, the combination of facade treatments allowed the design team from Brian Dunlop Architects to visually break down the volumes of the 13.5m high elevations. The Dri-Design Shadow cassettes, selected in a classy yet contemporary Aluminium Copper, were used to create a stepped-in effect on the facade, complementing the curved first-floor foyer glazing and cantilevered entrance. This contrasts with the simplicity of the flat-profile grey and black Evolution, giving each individual volume a material and texture definition.
Installation
The factory-engineered QuadCore Karrier Panels formed the Dri-Design and Shingle rainscreen substrate. Comprising an internal liner sheet, advanced insulation core and external weather seal in a single panel, the system was quick and easy to install whilst the factory-engineered jointing helped to achieve excellent air tightness. This enabled the building to be made weathertight and the internal construction of the cinema screens to begin whilst the cladding continued externally.
Dri-Design’s simple interlocking fixing method further supported the fast-track construction programme, eliminating the need for complex rail and bracket systems, tape or gaskets. The one-piece Shadow cassettes allowed for variated depths and angles, without affecting the substrate or weather barrier. The individual cassettes can also be easily repaired and recoated onsite to maximise longevity and ongoing safety.
The remainder of the building was clad with Evolution panels. Installers, Steel & Roofing Systems, folded the 12m-long continuous corner pieces, retaining the impact of the unbroken volumes.
The Dri-Design Shadow Facade System allowed us to deliver a high-quality finish and landmark aesthetic to the steel-framed construction in this prominent city centre location. Selecting Kingspan Facades as the supplier for the full cladding package was cost effective and simplified the process, whilst still enabling us to use a variety of materials and finishes.
Ar. Brian Dunlop, Brian Dunlop Architects
Techinical Support
As it was the first Dri-Design Shadow project in Ireland, it was important that the Kingspan Facades team was on-hand to provide support during both the design and installation phases. This included supplying both material and on-site system samples and technical support at the detailed design stage. A member of the Field Services team also attended the site regularly to inspect the building and ensure that all components were installed to a high standard as designed.
The facade is completed with specially fabricated Tophats in the relevant colours, ensuring a seamless and professional finish.
