Bedford, Nova Scotia, is no stranger to cold weather. Early in 2024 the region experienced a historic nor'easter that dumped five feet of snow. And then days later, Nova Scotia received an additional 15 inches of snow. There’s more to this district than its weather, however. The area has also seen extreme population growth over the last few years due to its historic charm, scenic waterfront views, and famous natural harbor, which is one of the largest in the world. To accommodate this growth, Architecture49 designed what is now the largest public school in Nova Scotia: West Bedford School. To help the new educational facility stand up to the sometimes severe weather, the firm clad the school with insulated metal panels from Kingspan Insulated Panels.

Featuring a full air and water barrier and a core of continuous, rigid insulation, IMPs offer an advantage in thermal efficiency over many traditional wall assembly materials for the same wall thickness. The built-in insulation in the metal panels creates an excellent barrier against heat transfer, helping the school reduce energy costs while maintaining a comfortable indoor environment for students during the harsh winter months.

It was important that the school was not only thermally efficient, but that it looked appealing for the 2,000 students ranging from pre-primary to grade 12. Architecture49 used IMPs to achieve a kid-friendly, yet modern aesthetic. West Bedford School’s design features pops of playful colors – blue, green, purple and yellow – along the exterior of the building while maintaining a sleek profile.

More than 50,000 square feet of Kingspan IMPs were installed by Clad-Tech, including Kingspan KS Mini Micro-Rib panels in the colors Ascot White and Charcoal. Kingspan Accent Fins were also used with Sherwin-Williams Fluropon coatings in the colors Inch Worm, Eccentric Lime, Mahle Blue, June Blue, Goldwood, Bright Idea, Teal Blue, and Monterrey Blue.

Kingspan’s KS Series insulated metal wall panels provide unique aesthetics through a wide range of profiles while delivering high thermal performance. Adjustable module widths can integrate for distinct architectural flair. KS Series panels can be customized with trimless ends and pre-formed corners to provide a clean, finished appearance.

Kingspan’s Accent Fin is a cladding accessory and component that gives the building design a finishing touch and helps it stand out from the crowd. Kingspan's Accent Fin products are designed to be compatible with Kingspan’s KS Series IMP range, fitting perfectly in the joinery between panels.

According to Architecture 49, West Bedford School “features a design that combines a PP-8 and a 9-12 school in a single building. These schools share central facilities, including mechanical and electrical systems, two adjacent gymnasiums, and a larger cafetorium for community and school events. Separate wings for different grade groups connect at the shared cafetorium, allowing each school to retain its distinct identity with separate entrances and the option to isolate from shared areas. Separate wings for different grades connect at the shared cafeteria, allowing each school to retain its distinct identity with separate entrances and the option to isolate from shared areas.”