BENCHMARK Evolution by Kingspan Insulated Panels has been used to create a unique façade for the new Action Stations extension, housed in the Warships Pavilion, at the Australian National Maritime Museum in Sydney’s Darling Harbour. Completed in 2015, to mark the centenary of World War I, the Action Stations experience is an exciting way for visitors to experience the compelling history of the Royal Australian Navy. As a significant extension for the Museum, the building’s design was to be both striking and functional, while bringing the narratives of maritime war to life.

1. Australian National
Maritime Museum
Warships Pavilion
Location
Sydney, Australia
Wall / Façade Products
BENCHMARK Evolution
Finishes
Woodland Grey
May 2016 Australian National Maritime Museum
Warships Pavilion
Sydney, Australia 01

2. Location
Sydney, Australia
Wall / Façade Products
BENCHMARK Evolution
The project brief was for a building
that made an architectural
statement, yet did not overpower
the vessels adjacent and integral to
the Pavilion. The form was inspired
by the techniques and geometrical
rigour of boat building while
the conceptual approach closely
referenced the wake of a boat as
it passes though the water.
May 2016 Australian National Maritime Museum
Warships Pavilion
Sydney, Australia 02

3. Incorporating Form and Function
Almost an art installation, the use
of BENCHMARK Evolution insulated
panels enabled architects Francis-
Jones Morehen Thorp (fjmtstudio)
to design a unique statement
building which delivered outstanding
thermal performance and the ability
to withstand a corrosive marine
environment.
BENCHMARK by Kingspan’s
insulated panels unite high aesthetic
values with high performance. The
technical excellence of our science
led research and development
facilities allow us to offer industry
leading guarantees.
May 2016 Australian National Maritime Museum
Warships Pavilion
Sydney, Australia 03

4. Meeting the Challenges of Design
• Colourfast in the harsh marine
environment of Darling Harbour.
• Slim design maximised useable
internal space with no loss of
thermal resistance values.
• Provided an external and internal
face.
• Spans large distance with no
unsightly joints.
• Seamlessly integrated with a
glass oculus creating unique
installation challenges and
complex joint geometry.
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Warships Pavilion
Sydney, Australia 04

5. Strong Design Intent
The 891m2
of Evolution BENCHMARK
panels provided a single façade
component in which foam insulation
lay at the heart of a finished
internal lining and an external
face. Kingspan delivered a series
of complex geometrical rotations
of 1m wide panels that tackled the
complex design whilst delivering a
watertight external skin.
“The panels had not previously been
used in this way which provided
an opportunity to rethink how the
product could be adapted to suit
the technical challenges, while
stillmaintaining the very strong
design intent.” James Perry,
Senior Associate at fjmtstudio.
The Kingspan Technical team
worked closely with fjmtstudio
and specialist subcontractors JML
Engineered Facades (NSW) to
develop a complex design with
custom vertical joint details.
May 2016 Australian National Maritime Museum
Warships Pavilion
Sydney, Australia 05

6. Contact
For more information on
the products used in this
project, please email
marketing@kingspanpanels.com