Hall 5 is a newly extended single-storey industrial facility comprising 2,250 m2 of enclosed hall space located on the factory grounds of Liebherr Container Cranes Ltd in Killarney, Co Kerry. The building houses two Colgar CNC Router machines enabling the Client to produce more accurately machined crane components in less time.

The building proportions accommodate the machines contained within. Soft fabric doors located at both ends can open the gables entirely to facilitate projecting crane components of all sizes. The special gables are designed to appear as pronounced bookends, which neatly houses a steel lattice structure used to support the suspended Mockdoor curtain.

Crane parts are transported into the building using an RMGC (rail mounted gantry crane). Special consideration was required to ensure the design of rail foundations traversing the slab did not adversely affect radon gas protection. Careful design coordination ensures envelope and structure allow the crane to pass equipment without interruption. Building services are strategically installed on the portal frame outside the line of crane travel.

This project was used as an opportunity to develop the type of building envelope long established in the factory. Standards of thermal performance were improved by introduction of more contemporary specification and detailing. A new template evolved for general application elsewhere. The extension was used as an opportunity to further improve the factory standards.