Client: Michael McNamara & Co
Value: €1 million
Architect: Ashlin Coleman & Heenan
Type of works: the design and installation of the external facade for the pilot office building.

Michael McNamara & Co appointed Telling Ireland to undertake the design and installation of the external facade for their pilot building on their prestigious office development at the Cork Airport Business Park. The external facade was created with lightweight-steel walling and a combination of Blue-glazed ArGeTon^® terracotta rainscreens, Kingspan composite panelling, curtain walling, glazing and brise soleil. Telling Architectural undertook a role as a design supplier and provided engineering support for Telling Ireland, its associate company.

As a leading developer in Ireland for speculative commercial developments, Michael McNamara appointed Ashlin Coleman & Heenan as the scheme designers and project architects. The combination of curtain walling, glazing elements, feature aluminium profiles and rainscreen facades of ArGeTon^® terracotta represented a challenging break from the traditional style of construction for office park buildings meeting stringent demands of time and affordability.

Existing laboratory testing criteria, along with the CWCT testing for air permeability and weathertightness were a requirement for all rainscreen applications, with glazing selected to comply with stringent thermal and weather protection and sun-shading qualities, in accordance with British Standards.

Glazed ArGeTon^® terracotta is manufactured under the process of the same name, for extruding twin-skinned clay tiles for use in facade applications. The system is characterised by its high impact resistance and low porosity, which are of significant importance to the long-term performance of the system. ArGeTon^® does not rely upon gaskets or pressure clips for its weathering, tolerance of windload or support as each tile is mechanically attached, providing assurance of attachment to the substructure, should fire occur. 

Telling Ireland is a leading facades contractor in Ireland, providing a single source of responsibility on multi-discipline schemes. The system is suitable for application in both new build and refurbishment using a variety of support systems to suit lightweight steel, timber, traditional concrete/block, or as a unitised system within curtain walling.