Kirkley Heath Centre Project

The project at Kirkley Health Centre had a feature entrance in the shape of a windmill shaft – a tapering circular tower. The structure for this had been formed by facetted cross-laminated timber construction. The design called for this structure to have an insulated render system applied externally to give the “windmill” its finished form, and internally (on the ground floor) to form a circular entrance lobby. The unusual shape was a challenge. Originally designed on the assumption that preformed insulation could be obtained from a specialist manufacturer to form the tower’s curves, this proved not to be the case, due to the need to taper the form as it went upwards.

Kier employed specialist subcontractor R&B Plastering to undertake these challenging works. After conferring with the render manufacturer, it became apparent that the tower shape could not be produced by using a custom-manufactured product, but would need to be formed on-site by tradesmen – a craftsman job. R&B Plastering’s operatives have the skill and ability to be able to undertake this difficult task. The work was carried out swiftly and to a high standard, one that was commended by the project Architects (Frank Shaw & Partners). The “windmill” entrance is a very visible feature of the building; had the render and insulation not been carried out to such a high standard and level of workmanship, or had it been done incorrectly, it would have seriously detracted from the finished building. Both the Client (NHS) and Kier are very happy with the work done by R&B at Kirkley Mill Health Centre, Lowestoft.

Max Rasmussen, Quantity Surveyor, Kier Construction