Technal

The University of Nottingham’s Advanced Manufacturing Building used TECHNAL GEODE MX 52 Visible Grid Curtain Walling, SOLEAL FY 65 Windows and PY 55 Doors. Selected by architects Bond Bryan, the TECHNAL aluminium systems offered a cost-effective, thermally efficient solution that was backed by outstanding technical support both prior and during construction. The state-of-the-art training and research facility, located at the entrance to the Jubilee Campus, has enhanced the University of Nottingham’s Faculty of Engineering. The building features teaching facilities, laboratories and workshops, and houses the Rolls-Royce University Technology Centre in Manufacturing Technology.

The £1m centrepiece in the restoration of a historic park in Lancashire has been completed, incorporating innovative use of the MX curtain walling system from Technal. The dramatic sculptural pavilion in Avenham Park was the winning design in an RIBA competition. The building has a strong geometric design, which includes a complex zinc-clad ‘saw tooth’ roof and extensive use of timber, aluminium and glass.

A mixed use development for Leeds Metropolitan University and property group Downing, some of the building’s diversity comes from the expression of the fenestration which encorporates integrated low-energy design. The apparently random patterns were composed to ensure that the vertically modulated cuts provided an orientation-specific balance of daylight penetration and solar gain reduction. The result is a building with irregular sides which maximises natural light without creating overheating.

CZWG Architects MAIN CONTRACTOR: ISG JACKSON PHOTOGRAPHY: T. CROCKER Spearheading an ambitious programme of regeneration, Canada Water Library resembles an inverted ‘ziggurat’ – a terraced pyramid of successively receding storeys – that partly overhangs the Canada Water basin. Finished in bronze anodised aluminium, the MX SSG structural sealant glazing and CD commercial doors have been specified for the ground floor. MX Visible Grid is being used for the strips of curtain walling to the three upper floors, with MX top hung concealed vents and PXi doors providing access to the balconies.

The re-development by Liveman Properties has converted the Dock Office into a mixture of one, two and three-bedroom apartments, with an additional 14 new duplex apartments constructed on the existing building roof. DV Architects, Liverpool, specified Technal’s MX Toggle Glazing curtain walling for the steel frame extension and Technal FY65 windows. Architect Billy Hodge commented, “The Dock Office is a local heritage asset and great care has been taken to make sure that the character of the building is not altered.

Started in November 2015, the latest stage - the centre itself - was recently opened to the public, with work on the final phase recently completed. BAM Construction was the main contractor on the scheme, with architects Mersey Design Group as part of their team. Dortech was the specialist curtain walling sub-contractor. The transformational two-storey glass façade extension was built using 4300m2 of Technal’s Visible Grid and Trame Vertical MX 52 curtain walling at double height; incorporating both glass and spandrel panels.

This contemporary style, five-bedroom detached house commands a floor area of 10,000sq ft and includes an indoor swimming pool together with gym and leisure facilities. Rear facing, the property has been constructed on raised land that slopes down to a natural stream with breath-taking countryside views beyond.

DEVELOPER: BRISTOL CITY COUNCIL AND PARKWOOD LEISURE MAIN CONTRACTOR: KIER CONSTRUCTION FABRICATOR: GLASSOLUTIONS INSTALLATION PHOTOGRAPHY: LIZ EVE / FOTOHAUS A state-of-the-art leisure centre in Bristol designed by LA Architects features extensive use of Technal’s aluminium curtain walling to help create a vibrant new facility and encourage more local people to participate in sport and physical activity. The privately financed project is also one of the first centres in the UK with a 50m swimming pool to achieve a BREEAM ‘excellent’ rating.

The Selection of a sustainable facade system from architectural aluminium specialist TECHNAL satisfies the requirement to deliver a sustainable and energy efficient building for the University of Bath's Institute of Advanced Automotive Propulsion Systmes (IAAPS) - a new, world-class automotive propulsion research facility in Bristol, constructed to achieve BREAAM Very Good standard. The 11,464 m2, two-storey building was designed by architect Stride Treglown who partnered with DKA Architects to realise this ambitious project. Main contractor Rydon constructed it as a single-stage Design and Build contract. The impressive front elevation façade features TECHNAL GEODE MX curtain wall, which is manufactured using Hydro CIRCAL® 75R recycled aluminium - a prime-quality alloy made with at least 75% recycled post-consumer scrap aluminium - the highest share of recycled aluminium on the market.  Stride Treglown Project Architect, Victor Martos, explains why this was such a smart specification choice when constructing to BREEAM standards: “Originally, we had specified another system but switched to TECHNAL as it uses CIRCAL recycled aluminium and REDUXA low-carbon aluminium, which makes the system very attractive for buildings such as IAAPS that target a high level of environmental performance.” Fabricated and installed by Bristol-based Architectural Aluminium and Glass Ltd (AAAG) to a planned eight-week delivery programme, the curtain walling combines a linear and an arc section on plan to create a striking faceted façade that runs 43m and is 10m high. The double-height curtain wall joins the rectangular arched entrance at a sliced angle. Project Architect, Victor Martos talks through the architectural intent, he said: “Aesthetically, it was important for us to highlight the vertical joints over the horizontal joints so as to emphasise the height of the glazing and maintain the architectural proportions with the main entrance arch alongside. The TECHNAL curtain walling system allowed us to achieve this. It is very flexible in terms of the design options for mullions and transoms.” Vertically, the curtain wall mullions have an additional capping piece or “fin” finished in an Anthracite Grey powder coating (RAL 7016). This extends 200mm beyond and goes all the way from the base to the head of the curtain wall, creating a vertical trame design. On the horizontal, SSG silicone sealant transom joints offer a seamless look. “The fact that the external fins could be self-supported without the need of additional structure or ties was fundamental to achieving the desired verticality,” adds Victor. AAAG Bristol Estimating Manager Richard Flicker details how the façade was constructed: “Each vertical height section is split into four panels, which alternate between vision glass and lookalike, opaque spandrel panels to conceal the M&E services behind.” The glass specification is continuous to maintain the same level of reflection and uniformity across the entire curtain wall. It also had to meet thermal requirements, as Richard explains: Thermally, the façade had to achieve low heat gains through the façade, which meant careful glass specification. “Following numerous calculations and close discussion between myself and the construction team, Saint Gobain COOL-LITE SKN 154 solar control glass was selected. This offers a low G Factor (0.28) and helps control the amount of heat that penetrates into the building by reflecting it back to the outside.” The open plan office space behind the floor to ceiling glass panes also contributes to BREEAM Very Good, as Stride Treglown Project Architect, Victor Martos explains: “Ensuring an even distribution of light entering from the north, it reduces the need to use artificial light during the daytime and reduces overall building energy consumption,”  He adds: “Engaging early with specialist suppliers to maintain momentum and quality throughout, meant we could also optimise BREEAM credit opportunities. For example, the external fin feature also assisted in achieving credits regarding the visual comfort and control of glare from sunlight as they provide shade from direct sunlight.”The new IAAPS facility includes offices, test facilities and control rooms for engines, propulsion, power trains and chassis dyno cells. The base build of this world-class facility is now virtually complete and is scheduled to open in 2021 once specialist technology installations are complete. The project will support global automotive industries to deliver future generations of advanced propulsion systems and ultra-low emission vehicles. 

Caton Court, part of the wider Lawson’s Quay site, is currently being built by Eric Wright Construction for the developer Hines UK, while Preston based LDG Contracts is the specialist fabricator which chose to utilise the Technal MX curtain wall and FY65 window systems for the first phase of the project.

Working alongside BAM Construction North East and Glasshus, Technal’s MX Visible Grid Curtain Wall, PY55 Doors, and FY65 Windows were recently specified for The University of Lincoln’s Isaac Newton Building, creating a stunning façade.

The terminal was constructed as part of the London Gateway Project, which also included the construction of Europe’s largest logistics park adjacent to the terminal. DP World acquired the London Gateway Plan in 2006 from P&O for £3.92bn ($7.3bn). The two facilities were built on the site of a former Shell oil refinery in Essex. Construction work on the £1.5bn ($2.43bn) terminal project began in 2010. It was privately financed by DP World. The two facilities together have generated approximately 12,000 direct jobs and more than 20,000 indirect jobs.

Marina Bay Sands is a US$5.7bn waterfront development in Singapore – the most expensive stand-alone integrated resort ever built, and one of the world’s most challenging construction projects.

PROMOTER: NATIONAL BREEDING CENTRE FOR GUIDE DOGS FABRICATOR: ELITE ALUMINIUM SYSTEMS PHOTOGRAPHY: BROADWAY MALYAN/DAVID COX A state-of-the-art National Breeding Centre for Guide Dogs, which features extensive use of Technal’s aluminium window, door and curtain walling systems, has won its first award. The project at Bishops Tachbrook near Leamington Spa has won the RICS Award for Community Benefit (West Midlands region). It is providing additional capacity to increase the breeding of puppies to 1,500 per annum.

Demanding Regulation standards and the sheer scale of a residential housing project like East London's New Garden Quarter, have seen TECHNAL and installer Ravenworth work together to deliver the £4.2m scope of work for Telford Homes. This includes windows, patio and entrance doors as well as curtain walling. New Garden Quarter is part of a masterplan development and takes in some of the Olympic Legacy land in Stratford. The development, which sits next to the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, features one, two and three-bedroom apartments, villas and sky villas set around a landscaped two-acre garden square.

Sirius and Ganton Academy is a dynamic 21st century learning environment created to accommodate state-of-the-art facilities in Hull. It is also the UK’s first academy to be constructed using Technal’s revolutionary low rise glazing system.

Advanced glazing systems from the range of Technal have been employed by Dortech Architectural Systems Ltd for the construction of the new Materials Innovation Factory (MIF) located within the University of Liverpool’s ‘Knowledge Quarter’ – helping create an important research facility for the development of new technologies.

Built on the site of the former East London Bus Garage, The Forge creates 192 residential apartments clustered around communal courtyards. Working alongside installer Ravenworth, a two-million pound systems package of 1,000 aluminium windows, 170 aluminium patio doors and 20 aluminium commercial doors were provided to this project. The light buff buildings range from three to five storeys with a contrasting white brick 14-storey focal building. This forms the gateway to the development together with a row of interestingly designed townhouses. Each block displays frequent openings with contrasting areas of glazing and cladding, softened with balconies.