Case study: Edith Cowan University Sciences Building

The concept for the new science building at Edith Cowen University, Joondalup Campus was to deliver a design which makes the most of the urban location with a bold and sophisticated architectural statement. Fully encased in products from Kingspan Insulated Panels range, the building is highly energy efficient and its unique façade is now claimed to be the world’s largest periodic table.

The exciting new science building at Edith Cowen University, Perth, was thoughtfully designed by Silver Thomas Hanley Architects, with the façade featuring the periodic table to celebrate the building’s purpose as a centre of scientific research and learning. The idea stemmed from the university Vice Chancellor Professor Steve Chapman. The table is an enormous 662 square metres, spanning the entire front facade of the building, so it was vital to carefully consider the scale, proportion and visual interest.

ECU's feature ‘Periodic Table’ is made up of 360 Kingspan Hook-On cassettes in four different colours. While the Hook-On cassettes were used to build the periodic table, a combination of both Flat and Shadow Dri-Design cassettes were used to provide architectural expression to the other three elevations, also integrating elements from within the Periodic Table, though using much larger perforated lettering to expand on the feature.

These cassettes not only serve a visual purpose, but also respond to the local climate to maintain a comfortable temperature inside the building. Creating a screen that helps deflect solar heat and control glare, while also allowing natural light into the rooms. Blank panels have been left on the periodic table, so if new elements are discovered they can be added to the building’s façade. The simple colour and material palette draws on the visual language of the original buildings, creating a stunning yet harmonious addition to the campus.

The cassette systems are able to be installed twice as fast as comparable systems through their unique design and construction methodology, which proved a benefit to Multiplex and pulled back a delayed site programme once the installation of the façade started.

Download the case study to explore how Kingspan's insulated panels create a stunning and energy-efficient science building.