External Wall Insulation (EWI) and Multi Purpose Render, manufactured by Saint-Gobain Weber, the leading UK formulator of innovative, high performance materials and systems for the construction industry, has been specified for the new Kildare Community College in County Kildare, Ireland.

The new school provides secondary school facilities for 1,000 students and is one of six new schools which will provide places for over 4,700 pupils through the Public Private Partnerships (PPP) school project. The scheme has been developed by the Department of Education and Skills (DfES) with Macquarie Partnerships for Ireland (MPFI), located in Dublin who specialise in the development of high quality social and public infrastructure projects.

Designed by Fergal Kelly at A & D Wejchert & Partners Architects, Dublin, the new Kildare Community College has been created from the amalgamation of two schools, St Joseph’s Academy and Kildare Vocational School. The new two-storey school has been designed to ensure the best possible sustainable venue in terms of education, organisation, operation and extended use for the community. The project was successfully managed by John Sisk & Son, a worldwide construction contractor which was founded in Cork over 150 years ago.

-- Advertisement --

Saint-Gobain Weber render and external wall insulation systems have been applied to more than 3000m² of the building using three attractive colours specified to enhance the modern lines of the structure. Award winning and NSAI Agrément accredited weber.therm XM EWI system was specified for 200m² of the college with a further 3000m² of wall surface prepared with weber.rend MPR over the construction substrate. The weber.therm XM EWI system included 200mm thick expanded polystyrene (EPS) insulation thermally improving the structure to create a warm and comfortable learning environment. Both render systems used were finished with weber.plast TF150 an acrylic-based, decorative finish which has a fine texture and provides high weather resistance. Three colours have been used at Kildare Community College - white, yellow and pale red - chosen to heighten the bright, modern exterior of these impressive buildings.

Of the six education facilities included in this most recent PPP contract, five have benefitted from the application of Saint-Gobain Weber's EWI and render systems. All Saint-Gobain Weber products used in these projects have been manufactured locally at the Saint-Gobain Weber factory in Ballyclare, Northern Ireland, reducing transportation costs and the carbon footprint impact.

(CD/GK)