Case Study

Project: The Church of St Patrick, Ballymacnab, Co Armagh

Client: Very Reverend Peter Kerr, PP

Project Architect: Paul Mongan – Gregory Architects

Liturgical Architect: Brian Quinn – Rooney & McConville Architects

Main Contractor: Moss Construction Ltd

Tile Contractor: Armatile

Completion Date: June 2015

Introduction

The Church of St Patrick in the townland of Ballymacnab was built in 1898. It is an impressive

stone building overlooking the entire parish and surrounding area. No major renovation work had

previously been undertaken and the church had fallen into a tired, somewhat dilapidated, state.

The parish priest the Very Reverend Peter Kerr decided to undertake the complete conservation

and restoration of this beautiful building. Internally Armatile’s expertise was engaged to create and

fit new floor and wall surfaces. The company’s experience in delivering ecclesiastical

refurbishment projects was instrumental in winning the tile contract. However this project’s artistic

design brief was one of the most creatively and technically challenging Armatile has ever

undertaken.

The Component Sections

Armatile’s worked closely with Fr Kerr, the architectural practices and contractor to ensure the

huge programme of works was delivered on time and within budget. It was charged with creating,

manufacturing and installing over 3,500 mesh backed tile panels that form stunning features in the

restored building;

• The Sanctuary Floor

• Altar Steps

• Centre Aisle

• Side Aisles

• Reredos Wall

• Baptistery Floor and

• Narthex

A few of these areas have been selected to highlight the creative design processes involved in

delivering the beautiful and totally unique transformation of this old building;

Stunning Use of Tile on the Reredos Wall

The client wanted a completely unique mosaic feature for the reredos wall behind the altar that

brought a natural harmony between the new and original elements of the church. Armatile’s took

inspiration from colours and materials on the altar, the new centre aisle design and the exterior

stonework. It combined different tile materials including Carrara, Thasos, Turkish grey and Nero-

Marquina marbles along with red, blue, green and yellow quartz and diamante encrusted porcelain

tiles to create a beautiful and stunning mosaic. Each tile was cut into 15mm sized pieces in

Armatile’s factory in Armagh using industrial cutting technology, then expertly hand-assembled

onto mesh sheets to reduce fitting and labour costs on-site. Two further ecclesiastical features

(each 530mm wide) were also custom-made by cutting tiles and marbles using Armatile’s waterjet

technology and hand assembled on to mesh before being expertly fitted within the mosaic wall.

One of the most challenging elements of the contract was to form the new mosaics around the

original stain glass windows and ornate cornicing. With an expert and unrivalled eye for detail

Armatile’s project team worked with the building to create a flawless finish.

The Highly Decorative Tile Feature Manufactured for the Centre Aisle

The most striking design in the restoration is the decorative centre aisle that catches your attention

when you enter the building and pulls you toward the altar.

Liturgical Architect Brian Quinn is a member of the Advisory Committee on Art & Architecture to

the Irish Episcopal Commission and is celebrated for his work in heritage buildings. In the centre

aisle he wished to artistically encapsulate the seven sacraments of the Church. Armatile’s design

team worked closely with Brian using the latest CAD packages and waterjet cutting technology

operating at 55,000psi to sculpt seven circular features to represent these significant moments of

Church life. It used a mix of matt and polished porcelain tiles along with striking red quartz to

deliver a unique tile concept that echoes the highs and lows of a parishioner’s’ journey in life with

the Church.

Transforming the Steps and Sanctuary Floor

For the altar steps beautiful Portuguese Limestone was hand-selected by Armatile’s Peter Rafferty

to match the altar stone and pulpit. Each individual piece for this area specially made for this

contract.

The stunning sanctuary floor was designed to represent the rays of light from heaven that are

envisaged as one life ends and another begins. A stunning 3.5m wide circular feature was

manufactured by Armatile to surround the altar stone and flow off throughout the 40m2 sanctuary

floor. Every piece of porcelain and quartz was cut in Armatile’s factory in Armagh using waterjet

technology. They were then skilfully hand assembled onto mesh sheets and dry laid to ensure

each exact detail was perfect. This proved essential as it significantly reduced fitting and labour

costs on site, ensuring Armatile met all contract fitting deadlines.

Baptismal Feature

The circular tile pattern in the floor has at its centre the existing Portland stone font. This circular swirling pattern at the centre of the sanctuary floor is a theme that continues down the central aisle to link up with a baptistery at the rear of the nave adjacent to the entrance to the church. This simpler swirl ensures the baptistery and sanctuary are conspicuously linked visually and liturgically.

Conclusion

The manufacture and fitting of new tile surfaces on the restoration at the Church of St Patrick,

Ballymacnab, is one of the most creatively and technically challenging commercial contracts ever

under taken by Armatile. Every aspect of the new tile surfaces for the walls and floors were

manufactured in Armatile by cutting and combining a variety of products and finishes to translate

the Client’s creative visions into reality.

The use of tile on this commercial contract is a perfect example of how Armatile works with clients

to push the artistic boundaries, creating inspiring tile surfaces tailor-made to individual needs and

unique design challenges.

All material manufactured and fitted by:

Armatile

Station Road Industrial Estate

Loughgall Road

Armagh

BT61 7NP

028 37527007 (Head Office)

0207 1111 613 (London Office)

design@armatile.com

www.armatilearchitectural.com