Royal Shakespeare Theatre

CHALLENGE

Work is underway to create a new theatre that will transform the existing 1932 Royal Shakespeare Theatre whilst retaining the original Art Deco and Victorian elements of the building. Due for completion during 2010, the theatre will give artists and audiences alike the best environment in which to perform and enjoy Shakespeare with improved public spaces both inside and surrounding the theatre.

The challenge for the project design is to blend the key aspects of the existing buildings with the new theatre designs. Specialist roofing contractor, Varla (UK) Limited were awarded the contract to design, manufacture and install the zinc standing seam roof and wall package. Varla (UK) Limited challenged Knauf Insulation to propose a solution to meet the demanding specification for this unique project.

SOLUTION

Knauf Insulation provided detailed ongoing technical support during the design stages of the project and proposed solutions based on the results of unique three dimensional heat loss calculations. The unique 3-D calculation support service, provided by the Technical Advisory Centre, was an integral part of the product specification process to ensure that the exact thickness recommendations were proposed in order to meet the project’s specific U-value requirements.

Knauf Insulation were able to provide a solution that met all of Varla’s insulation requirements by using 160mm of FactoryClad 32 roll. This is a flexible, lightweight roll of resilient glass mineral wool with exceptionally high tear strength and a thermal conductivity of just 0.032 W/mK.

In addition, FactoryClad, recommended for this project, is manufactured from glass mineral wool, which is ideal for limiting the spread of fire since it holds a Euroclass classification A1 for non-combustibility. The product will not burn, will not give off toxic smoke nor will it suddenly ignite in a fire due to ‘flashover’. For public buildings such as this, superior fire performance is crucial.