2023

Arts & Culture/ Commercial

Set within the stunning 500-acre grounds of Château La Coste in Provence, France, the Richard Rogers Art Gallery is a landmark cultural building designed by the late Richard Rogers of Rogers Stirk Harbour + Partners (RSHP).

Setanta Construction was appointed to engineer, manufacture and deliver a bespoke off-site building enclosure solution for this architecturally significant project.

The remote location, complex design requirements and demanding thermal performance criteria required an innovative approach that combined modern methods of construction with precision engineering.

Working from the architect's design intent, Setanta developed a series of highly engineered modular enclosure components that could be manufactured in a controlled factory environment and transported directly to site in France.

Each component was designed to deliver exceptional structural performance while maintaining the gallery's distinctive minimalist aesthetic. To ensure occupant comfort within the Mediterranean climate, the modules incorporated 300mm-thick pumped polystyrene insulation, providing excellent thermal efficiency and helping to prevent overheating during the summer months.

The completed units were fitted with bespoke lifting points, shrink-wrapped for transportation and delivered to site ready for installation. Once on-site, the components were bolted and interlocked together to create a robust, weather-tight building envelope with minimal installation time.

• Reduced on-site construction programme through off-site manufacturing

• Enhanced quality control through factory-based production

• Minimised site disruption within a remote and environmentally sensitive location

• Improved installation efficiency through precision-engineered modular components

• Reduced project risk through pre-manufactured, tested building enclosure systems

The Richard Rogers Art Gallery demonstrates how off-site construction can successfully support complex, high-profile architectural projects without compromising on design quality or performance.

Through close collaboration with an international project team, Setanta delivered a precision-manufactured building enclosure system that met the architect's vision while providing long-term durability, thermal efficiency and installation certainty.

The project received industry recognition with Setanta Construction winning the Overall Commercial Project Award at the Master Builder Awards 2023, highlighting the success of the collaborative approach and the quality of the finished development.

• Architect: Richard Rogers, Rogers Stirk Harbour + Partners (RSHP)

• Local Architect: Demaria Architecture

• Structural Engineer: Lang Engineering Consultancy

• Project Manager: Rainey + Best

• Steelwork Contractor: Bysteel

• Off-Site Construction Specialist: Setanta Construction