Case Study. The Church of St Patrick, Ballymacnab, Co Armagh

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Reynard Wilson
6 years ago
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Case Study Project: The Church of St Patrick,

& McConville Architects Main Contractor: Moss

1 Case Study Project: The Church of St Patrick, Ballymacnab, Co Armagh Client: Very Reverend Peter Kerr, PP Project Architect: Paul Mongan Gregory Architects Liturgical Architect: Brian Quinn Rooney & McConville Architects Main Contractor: Moss Construction Ltd Tile Contractor: Armatile Completion Date: June 2015

Introduction The Church of St Patrick in the townland of Ballymacnab was built in 1898.

No major renovation work had previously been undertaken and the church had fallen into a tired, somewhat dilapidated, state.

building. Internally Armatile s expertise was engaged to create and fit new floor and wall surfaces.

2 Introduction The Church of St Patrick in the townland of Ballymacnab was built in It is an impressive stone building overlooking the entire parish and surrounding area. No major renovation work had previously been undertaken and the church had fallen into a tired, somewhat dilapidated, state. The parish priest the Very Reverend Peter Kerr decided to undertake the complete conservation and restoration of this beautiful building. Internally Armatile s expertise was engaged to create and fit new floor and wall surfaces. The company s experience in delivering ecclesiastical refurbishment projects was instrumental in winning the tile contract. However this project s artistic design brief was one of the most creatively and technically challenging Armatile has ever undertaken.

The Component Sections Armatile s worked closely with Fr

the huge programme of works was delivered on time and within

It was charged with creating, manufacturing and installing

features in the restored building; The Sanctuary Floor Altar

and Narthex A few of these areas have been selected to

3 The Component Sections Armatile s worked closely with Fr Kerr, the architectural practices and contractor to ensure the huge programme of works was delivered on time and within budget. It was charged with creating, manufacturing and installing over 3,500 mesh backed tile panels that form stunning features in the restored building; The Sanctuary Floor Altar Steps Centre Aisle Side Aisles Reredos Wall Baptistery Floor and Narthex A few of these areas have been selected to highlight the creative design processes involved in delivering the beautiful and totally unique transformation of this old building;

Stunning Use of Tile on the Reredos Wall The client wanted a completely unique mosaic feature for the reredos wall behind the altar that brought a natural harmony between the new and original

It combined different tile materials including Carrara, Thasos, Turkish grey and Nero- Marquina marbles along with red, blue, green and yellow quartz and diamante encrusted porcelain tiles to create

Each tile was cut into 15mm sized pieces in Armatile s factory in Armagh using industrial cutting technology, then expertly hand-assembled onto mesh sheets to reduce fitting and labour costs on-site.

4 Stunning Use of Tile on the Reredos Wall The client wanted a completely unique mosaic feature for the reredos wall behind the altar that brought a natural harmony between the new and original elements of the church. Armatile s took inspiration from colours and materials on the altar, the new centre aisle design and the exterior stonework. It combined different tile materials including Carrara, Thasos, Turkish grey and Nero- Marquina marbles along with red, blue, green and yellow quartz and diamante encrusted porcelain tiles to create a beautiful and stunning mosaic. Each tile was cut into 15mm sized pieces in Armatile s factory in Armagh using industrial cutting technology, then expertly hand-assembled onto mesh sheets to reduce fitting and labour costs on-site. Two further ecclesiastical features (each 530mm wide) were also custom-made by cutting tiles and marbles using Armatile s waterjet technology and hand assembled on to mesh before being expertly fitted within the mosaic wall. One of the most challenging elements of the contract was to form the new mosaics around the original stain glass windows and ornate cornicing. With an expert and unrivalled eye for detail Armatile s project team worked with the building to create a flawless finish.

The Highly Decorative Tile Feature Manufactured for the Centre Aisle The most striking design in the restoration is the decorative centre aisle that catches your attention when you enter the building

Liturgical Architect Brian Quinn is a member of the Advisory Committee on Art & Architecture to the Irish Episcopal Commission and is celebrated for his work in heritage buildings.

5 The Highly Decorative Tile Feature Manufactured for the Centre Aisle The most striking design in the restoration is the decorative centre aisle that catches your attention when you enter the building and pulls you toward the altar. Liturgical Architect Brian Quinn is a member of the Advisory Committee on Art & Architecture to the Irish Episcopal Commission and is celebrated for his work in heritage buildings. In the centre aisle he wished to artistically encapsulate the seven sacraments of the Church. Armatile s design team worked closely with Brian using the latest CAD packages and waterjet cutting technology operating at 55,000psi to sculpt seven circular features to represent these significant moments of Church life. It used a mix of matt and polished porcelain tiles along with striking red quartz to deliver a unique tile concept that echoes the highs and lows of a parishioner s journey in life with the Church.

Transforming the Steps and Sanctuary Floor For the altar steps beautiful Portuguese Limestone was hand-selected by Armatile s Peter Rafferty to match the altar stone and pulpit.

The stunning sanctuary floor was designed to represent the rays of light from heaven that are envisaged as one life ends and another begins. A stunning 3.

6 Transforming the Steps and Sanctuary Floor For the altar steps beautiful Portuguese Limestone was hand-selected by Armatile s Peter Rafferty to match the altar stone and pulpit. Each individual piece for this area specially made for this contract. The stunning sanctuary floor was designed to represent the rays of light from heaven that are envisaged as one life ends and another begins. A stunning 3.5m wide circular feature was manufactured by Armatile to surround the altar stone and flow off throughout the 40m2 sanctuary floor. Every piece of porcelain and quartz was cut in Armatile s factory in Armagh using waterjet technology. They were then skilfully hand assembled onto mesh sheets and dry laid to ensure each exact detail was perfect. This proved essential as it significantly reduced fitting and labour costs on site, ensuring Armatile met all contract fitting deadlines.

7 Baptismal Feature The circular tile pattern in the floor has at its centre the existing Portland stone font. This circular swirling pattern at the centre of the sanctuary floor is a theme that continues down the central aisle to link up with a baptistery at the rear of the nave adjacent to the entrance to the church. This simpler swirl ensures the baptistery and sanctuary are conspicuously linked visually and liturgically.

Conclusion The manufacture and fitting of new tile surfaces on the restoration at the Church of St Patrick,

combining a variety of products and finishes to translate the Client s creative visions into reality.

8 Conclusion The manufacture and fitting of new tile surfaces on the restoration at the Church of St Patrick, Ballymacnab, is one of the most creatively and technically challenging commercial contracts ever under taken by Armatile. Every aspect of the new tile surfaces for the walls and floors were manufactured in Armatile by cutting and combining a variety of products and finishes to translate the Client s creative visions into reality. The use of tile on this commercial contract is a perfect example of how Armatile works with clients to push the artistic boundaries, creating inspiring tile surfaces tailor-made to individual needs and unique design challenges.

9 All material manufactured and fitted by: Armatile Station Road Industrial Estate Loughgall Road Armagh BT61 7NP (Head Office) (London Office)

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