Designed by Beca and Cox Architects, the distinctive roof shape over the Manukau Bus Interchange offers a sculptural addition to the skyline. Project Architect Steve Gray, says several elements helped shaped the roof. “Discussions with the local Manu Whenua of Nga Matukurua identified a desire for the building form to reflect a tukutuku manu, or kite flying narrative, arising from the heritage of the area,” says Gray. “And the roof, with its series of repeating soaring kiteform elements, reflects this representation.”

The roof geometry created a number of challenges from a design and installation prospective. The twelve roof structures are trapezium-shaped on plan, each with three planes. KingZip Linea, a standing seam architectural roof system, was site manufactured in tapered sheets to minimise the number of gutters and maximise the efficiency of water flow. Furthermore, the sheets were pre-curved prior to installation, to transition between roof planes. Production details of the sheet were fed from 3D modelling software to the manufacturing equipment on site. The KingZip product was manufactured in PVDF coated aluminium to provide long term performance. The roof also utilises Kingspan’s Safepro2 fall protection system, clamped to the Kingzip profile.

Kingspan’s KingZip system provides advanced structural, thermal, acoustic and fire performance combined with interlocking seams, to offer exceptional long term weatherproofing and durability.

“With each sheet on the job being different, having the ability to fabricate onsite was a key driver for using Kingzip, the ability to individually taper and/or curve as required meant we could achieve the architects vision” says Michael Sentch of Project Unite, the specialist installer of KingZip for the North Island, “The installation went really well. The KingZip team provided detailed layout plans and, with each piece made to specification right on site, it was a very efficient process.”