A tower crane was used to lower Medite large dimension MDF panels into two of the UK’s leading art galleries – the Royal Scottish Academy (RSA) building and the National Gallery of Scotland.
Manufactured by Weyerhaeuser, the 5400x1220mm Medite ZF (zero formaldeyhde) panels have been used to provide single-piece wall panelling throughout for walls 5200mm in height, minimising the requirement for joints.
The specialist fit-out works were carried out by Co Antrim-based Mivan on the first phase of The Playfair Project in Edinburgh. This scheme links the RSA building and the National Gallery of Scotland, both Grade A listed buildings.
The existing galleries were stripped out and refurbished and a series of new gallery spaces were constructed. The gallery walls were lined in full height, 18mm thick, environmentally friendly Medite ZF fixed to metal stud frames in order to support heavy works of art.
Mivan’s use of 5.4m-high Medite MDF panels for dry lining eliminated horizontal joints. Critical vertical joints were achieved by machining tongue and groove features combined with wide opposing chamfers to permit strong infills, minimising potential shrinkage cracks.
Once the MDF wall linings had been fitted, Mivan installed replica profiles of existing cornices and skirtings to match the new alignment of the walls.
