Magply boards top a new Passivhaus community centre

AHR’s new “Passivhaus” Templehall Community Hub uses Magply roofing boards.

Fire-resistant roofing boards from leading UK manufacturer Magply were specified for their cost-effective ability to help a new community hub achieve the airtightness standards required for a Passivhaus project.

Magply’s 12mm-thick boards, which meet Euroclass EN13501 (A1 Non-Combustible) standards, were specified for a warm roof build-up by AHR architects for Templehall Community Hub in Kirkcaldy, Fife, Scotland.

The boards were installed over 1,650m² of metal roof deck sheets by specialist sub-contractor Procladd (Scotland) for main contractor BAM to help provide a lightweight, flat surface for the waterproofing.

But that was not the only reason they were specified.

AHR senior architect Keith Peterson said: “We were initially looking at using a weatherproof cement board but the contractor was keen to look at alternatives as this was quite an expensive solution over the whole roof area.

“We also considered not using any board product at all and installing the roof VCL directly onto the structural deck, but our concern was that without a flat substrate, we might have had issues achieving the airtightness requirements for the project.

“The Magply board was a cost-effective solution that would ensure the airtight VCL layer was well supported to help achieve the Passivhaus standard. And the Magply boards have performed well. We don’t have any formal air test results, but initial smoke testing confirmed that the envelope is performing as intended for a Passivhaus project.”

He added: “From my understanding, the site team have been quite happy laying the boards and have been able to achieve a good level of workmanship overall. I had not used Magply before but would be happy to specify them again based on the experience we have had so far on our projects.”

Installers Procladd, who regularly use Magply’s magnesium oxysulfate boards on their projects, had a team of four men on site for four weeks.

Construction manager Graeme Watson said: “The installation was straightforward with no particular issues. Magply is generally specified due to its performance within the overall roof build-up. The boards are easily cut using standard joinery tools/equipment although consideration must be given to dust extraction.

“We would normally propose the use of Magply boards as an alternative to existing specified boards, in this case as an alternative to the 18mm plywood proposed by the design team. Magply has the advantage of being a non-combustible substrate board compatible with an adhered bituminous roofing system.”

The details for Templehall Community Hub were developed from those used on AHR’s new Caledonia High School project, also a Passivhaus one, in Rosyth, Scotland. Both projects are due to open around July 2026.

Keith said of the two: “The Magply board was selected as it is A1 rated and dimensionally stable so was a good product for substrate to the roofing system.”

The new Templehall Community Hub will be a landmark building for the local community. Replacing the existing community centre, it will create a shared community campus for people from all generations and backgrounds.

The hub will feature a main hall capable of hosting large-scale events, library, training kitchen, and a cafe connected to a community garden, allotments and multi-use games area.

Taking inspiration from the history of Templehall and the surrounding coastal town of Kirkcaldy, AHR’s design, site layout and material choices ensure the new hub will be readily identifiable in the community with a clear and distinctive character as well as supporting Fife Council’s sustainability objectives.

Magply’s magnesium oxysulfate formulation is manufactured from a production process that ensures a very low chloride content, which makes it non-hazardous for people and the planet. The boards are typically mechanically fixed or bonded into position before laying the vapour barrier.