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The Kingspan TEK Building System and Kingspan TEK Cladding Panel have been installed as part of the new Seaton Jurassic visitor centre in Devonshire, forming the gateway to the region’s historic Jurassic Coast.
Over 185 million years of history are captured within the rock formations of the Dorset and East Devon coast and in 2001 the site was officially recognised as England’s first natural UNESCO World Heritage Site. Seaton Jurassic brings the rocks and fossils to life by taking visitors on a journey through time with exciting, interactive exhibits spread across three pods. Kingspan TEK Delivery Partners, Glosford SIPs, erected the Kingspan TEK Building System to form the walls of the centre. The firm then installed the Kingspan TEK Cladding Panel on to a steel frame for the centre roof.
Stephen Pring, Senior Technician at FORM architects discussed the specification:
“BREEAM ‘Very Good’ was a central requirement on the project and the Kingspan TEK products delivered the excellent thermal and airtightness performance we needed in a single operation. As a result, we were able to reduce costs and significantly increase the speed of construction compared with a traditional stud wall approach.”
The highly insulated core of the 142 mm Kingspan TEK Cladding Panel and Kingspan TEK Building System panel can allow them to achieve U-values of 0.20 W/m2.K and below, whilst their OSB/3 facing and unique jointing system help to minimise unnecessary air loss. The panels were pre-cut to the centre’s precise requirements by Glosford SIPs, virtually eliminating on-site alterations and allowing the installation to be completed ahead of schedule in just two and a half weeks.
Both the Kingspan TEK Cladding Panel and Kingspan TEK Building System panels are now available in a 172 mm thickness, delivering a minimum U-value of 0.16 W/m2.K without the need for additional insulation. The manufacturing facility where the panels are produced carries both FSC® (FSC®-C109304) and PEFC Chain of Custody certification. As standard the OSB/3 facing of all Kingspan TEK panels is PEFC certified at 70%.
Kier Construction was the main contractor on the centre, which is operated by the Devon Wildlife Trust. The project has been chiefly funded by East Devon District Council, Devon County Council, Seaton Town Council, Heritage Lottery Fund, Coastal Communities Fund, Garfield Weston Foundation, Devon Wildlife Trust, Blue Marine Foundation, Fine Family Foundation and the Seaton Visitor Centre Trust. To find out more about the centre please visit www.seatonjurassic.org .
