Rockpanel facades speak volumes at Portrush primary

The vision to create something meaningful and lasting 

Stéphanie Heckman, “I’d never worked on something of this scale before, or on something with such lasting impact and which clearly meant so much to the client. The murals tell the story of the school’s founding, the special connection teachers and pupils felt with Mill Strand, the beach where the school was originally sited and named after, and the core values that drive the staff – in short, the heart and soul of the school.” 

Born out of the Good Friday Agreement, Integrated Schools in Northern Ireland support an ethos of diversity, respect and understanding across cultures and religions and between those of different socio-economic backgrounds and abilities. 

Teamwork – turning the vision into reality  

Founded in 1965, Belfast-based Isherwood + Ellis were architects for the project, with Lowry Building and Civil Engineering of County Tyrone, appointed main contractor. Quantity Surveyor Adam Lowry, “I spoke to Rockpanel’s Ann Bone, who was very informative about the material and fixing methods available, and we talked through options, depending on the application. We engaged Vivalda, who provided complete drawing mark-ups and board rationalisation to minimise wastage. They also supplied panel samples of the CNC laser engraved mural design for client approval.” 

Vivalda are able to shape, drill, cut and finish panels to almost any specification using leading edge technology, and hand-held tooling. Vivalda Ireland Director, Darren Bowden, “This was certainly one of the most challenging, and rewarding projects we have been involved with for many years. The job required the skills of the whole Vivalda Group, including technicians in Ireland, Birmingham and Hull, to fabricate the complex façades.” 

One of the biggest challenges lay in streamlining Stéphanie Heckman’s designs into artwork that could be replicated onto Rockpanel façades. Having consulted with her, the architect and the contractor, Vivalda recommended engraving the illustrations onto the board, using 3mm straight cutters to achieve as much detail as possible.  

Vivalda’s Darren Bowden again, “The actual fabrication stage of this project deserves a mention, given the fact that there were approximately 30 panels involved (some flat, some curved) – each requiring around eight hours to etch. The work demonstrated the importance of technical skill and teamwork” 

GC Joinery installed the facades at the school. Managing Director Gordon Cairns, “We found the process of installation very satisfying. Detailed drawings were supplied, along with a labelling system which simplified the process. The high quality pre-bored panels fitted accurately in to place, with one or two minor adjustments being easily carried out on site with simple tools. I know that everyone is very pleased and proud of the finished work.” 

Rockpanel’s unique properties shine through 

Rockpanel Specification Manager, Ann Bone, “What a special project to be part of, and one where many of the features that make Rockpanel unique, were able to shine. The lightweight boards are non-combustible, highly resilient to weather and can be routed, perforated and curved to realise even the most ambitious creative concepts and specifications. Four RAL-matched colours were used at Mill Strand. Working as a team Stéphanie, the architect, main contractor, installer, and ourselves were able to create something the school and the wider community can be proud of, as part of their story.” 

Stéphanie Heckman, “The murals are the face of the new school, the first thing anyone sees when they come to visit, to work or to learn, each day. They trusted me with the design from start to finish, and together we crafted a visual narrative that will last decades.”