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Case Study
SMARTPLY MAX FR B was specified and installed at a new multi-purpose building to provide both enhanced fire protection and a unique, textured aesthetic.
The project was part of a refurbishment of an existing, part listed set of adjoining, interconnected buildings in one of the oldest parts of Dublin. The building was once a fish mongers and has now been converted into a solicitor’s office and apartments.
“We created an office for a solicitor on the first floor with a two-bedroom apartment on the second floor,” says Caomhan Murphy, Architect at The Ground is Singing. “The layout and finishes of the office and apartment are almost identical–making it feel like a unique, funky place to work and live.”
SMARTPLY MAX FR B panels were used on the ceilings of the office and the apartment: “We specified SMARTPLY MAX FR B for its appearance and finish straight from the manufacturer. It was an aesthetic decision, which also provided the necessary fire rating.”
SMARTPLY MAX FR B Flame Retardant panel is a structural, moisture resistant OSB/3 panel with outstanding and reliable reaction to fire properties. Ideal for use where strength, moisture resistance and improved flame retardance are paramount.
The panels are treated with a water-based, non-toxic flame retardant solution during the manufacturing process, providing enhanced fire protection throughout the thickness of the panel.
This innovative panel is independently certified for the most demanding structural applications in permanent constructions such as wall sheathing, flooring and roofing. In addition, it is suitable for general free-standing applications where enhanced reaction to fire performance is required. Its versatility and flame retardant properties make it an outstanding panel for both residential and commercial applications.
“The panels allowed us to avoid any wet trades which often cause unnecessary debris and damage on a site that can be hard to fully cleanse,” explained Caomhan. “They also provide flexibility for the exposed services such as electrical conduits and drops, which formed part of the overall design concept. There were no remaining cornices or ceilings at the building, so I proposed a modern cornice around the rooms formed by the dropped conduit trays.”
The project started in 2018 and involved extensive structural repairs to the brickwork and structure. The remainder of the project, which included the interiors, was completed in 2020.
“During construction, many people asked me what we were doing with the ceiling and how it was going to be finished. When I told them that was the finish, they were a little perplexed. But as the project progressed and the rest of the interiors began to be completed the ceiling started to take on its own life. SMARTPLY MAX FR B has quite an animated finish and so I chose a dark palette for the rest of the planes, for example, black rubber floors and lamp black doors and woodwork. The ceiling is where the combination of the steel conduits, lighting and SMARTPLY MAX FR B become a celebration of something unique and impressive.”
Like all products in the SMARTPLY OSB range, SMARTPLY MAX FR B is manufactured using FSC certified timber, which helps contribute to an overall more sustainable building.
Caomhan concluded: “I am a fan of the material and very much like to use it as a finish rather than just as a building material. It’s different and should be celebrated.”
The construction team were Danoj Developments. Keep up with them here
www.danojdevelopments.com or visit their Instagram: @danojdevelopments
Find more information about SMARTPLY MAX FR B here: https://mdfosb.com/en/products/smartply-max-fr-b
