University College Dublin, Science Block

Building Owner
University College Dublin
Architect
RKD Architects
Sub-Contractor
John Sisk & Sons Ltd
UCD

Project Background

The new science building was to provide additional space for classrooms and study areas. Paramount to the building design was the connection to the existing science buildings which would provide social and circulation spaces in order to foster communication and a sense of community. The resulting building was five storeys, with a single storey enclosed roof plant area (total six-storey) and an 18-metre high cubed central area located above the main entrance to the building. At its highest point, the cube reaches a seven-storey equivalent height.

The Challenge

At the time, the project was the largest in Ireland due to the number of partition types and the volume and complexity of the interface details with other elements of the building. There were over 28 different types of partitions specified for the project, with over 100,000 sq.m. of plasterboard and associated metal systems incorporating Isover acoustic insulation.

The Approach

The partitions that were installed in the main circulation areas and the laboratories consisted of an inner layer of Gyproc WallBoard, with an outer layer of Gyproc Rigidur fibre-based plasterboard, to achieve optimum levels of sound reduction and impact resistance, while also offering 60 minutes of fire resistance.

The Rigidur outer layer afforded the opportunity to minimize the amount of timber grounds in the partitions, while also offering a level of ‘future proofing’, if and when, further fixtures and fittings would be required by the building owners.
Glasroc F FireCase plasterboards were used in the plant room in lieu of the initially proposed blockwork.

While offering the required 120 minutes fire resistance, the moisture resistant capabilities of the Glasroc F FireCase also suited the ‘semi-exposed’ environment of the plant room. The high level atrium area was lined with a GypLyner system with Gyptone Line 6 perforated plasterboards incorporated into the lining system to help reduce the reverberation time in the cavernous environment, while providing an aesthetic architectural finish.

Weight: 
6