Kingspan Insulation products helped builders Kane Constructions save considerable time during the development of the Geelong Library and Heritage Centre, while meeting their budget and quality expectations.

Designed by ARM Architecture, the Geelong Library and Heritage Centre is a spectacular addition to the regional Victorian city. Featuring a nine-level futuristic dome, the library is recognised as a highly technical building in both construction and performance. The curves and shapes of the building increased the complexity of the project, requiring the builder to think creatively for solutions.

David Purcell, project manager at Kane Constructions, which built the $45.5 million library, said that it was imperative they selected only high quality components for the project. Having used Kingspan insulation products previously, the company had absolute confidence in the brand’s ability to meet all the sustainability and thermal demands.

Kingspan not only supplied their products on time but also met the pricing requirements, while their CodeMark certification further validated compliance. According to Mr Purcell, the library was a challenging build with nothing standard on it, necessitating completely bespoke solutions.

However, Kingspan insulation worked very well with the builder’s methodology for the building and made the spandrel construction easier and faster. Both Kingspan’s Kooltherm K12 framing boards and Kooltherm K10 soffit boards enabled the installation team to move quickly, allowing for a more efficient and faster construction. Despite the inherent challenges in the rounded shape of the building, installing the insulation was a very straightforward job.

While it’s too early yet for results from an energy audit on the library, Mr Purcell says the building is very comfortable, even in extreme weathers. Since handing over the building, there have been temperatures in excess of 40 degrees but it felt very comfortable inside the library, proving that the insulation was working well.

Image: Despite the inherent challenges in the rounded shape of the building, installing Kingspan insulation was a very straightforward job