"glazing"

VELUX Glazing Panels bring daylight to an 18th century Cornish jail to support the transformation into a luxury hotelAll that was left of the powerful-looking Victorian Bodmin Jail in Cornwall, was a ruin without a roof, with vegetation slowly taking over. In 2015, Mallino Development appointed the services of Twelve Architects to undertake an impressive redevelopment project of the jail and turn it into a modern and aesthetically quite different hotel. To deliver the modern comforts hotel guests expect during their stay and the thermal efficiency required for sustainable operation of the hotel, a holistic system using VELUX Glazing Panels was designed. It took 214 VELUX Glazing Panels, formerly known as Vitral A98 Glazing, to recapture the original roof lighting sitting above the two historic wings.For more information, read the full case study

We were delighted to be selected as Oktra’s partitioning partner for their HQ project. As part of the fit-out, Oktra has showcased Komfort’s enhanced Polar partitioning range and latest door systems to help unite and accommodate different working styles and to maintain a bright and open space.This showcase includes Komfort’s slimline Polar 54 system, Polar 30 single glazed and Polar 100 double glazed partitioning system with impressive acoustic ratings, Komfort’s SwitchGlass technology, Kross Glaze 600, frameless glazed doors, Sonik and Sonik slide doors. Each system complements the people-centric design brief, maximising the feeling of openness and offering leading performance.You can read more about the systems installed and partnership here.

Radii joined this fit out in late 2023, where we worked on the design, supply and install of of a tailored glazed partition package for 28 office and meeting rooms.On Level 2, our team designed and installed a stunning Glide framed glazed screen into quad telescopic track between the reception and adjoining communal area.Large meeting rooms on Levels 2 and 4 comprised Parallel 100 (Rw 50 dB) double glazed partitions with red and blue framework respectively; Parallel 100 and single glazed Linear 30 variation screens with bronze and grey frames were utilised elsewhere in the space depending on acoustic requirements. All aluminium was finished in Radii’s dedicated in-house PPC line, with the bronze finish also used on aluminium faced tech panels. Partitions were accompanied by 64mm timber veneered acoustic doors (Rw 41 dB) and double glazed pivoting Hogan doors (Rw 39 dB).Finally, Radii’s own high-performing FirePro steel-clad fire rated screens rated at E60 were installed on all three levels.

Covent Garden is a district in London, on the eastern fringes of the West End, between St Martin's Lane and Drury Lane.[1] It is associated with the former fruit-and-vegetable market in the central square, now a popular shopping and tourist site, and with the Royal Opera House. TRC windows has been awarded a 600 K pound project by Sir Robert McAlpine to deliver over 120 Single Glazed Heritage Sash Box windows and over a 100 Traditional Double Glazed Sash Box windows as Secondary Glazing for high-end residences at the new Kings Court development in Covent Garden.

No.1 Forbury Place in Reading, UK, is the largest butt-jointed fire-rated glazing construction in Europe and features Vetrotech's oversize fire-resistant glass, Contraflam Mega. The project comprises more than 1,400 m2 of Vetrotech’s EI30 fire resistant glazing solution: Contraflam. On the ground floor of the 8-story atrium Contraflam Mega single panes are installed with heights of 4.5 m and weights up to almost 0.5 t. The 4-sided vitreous atrium from the first to the seventh floor has been fully equipped with Vetrotech’s Contraflam Structure flush glazing solution.

78 St James Street, a very special office refurbishment in the heart of London’s Mayfair, has involved a slew of skilled and experienced contractors to make the Grade II* Victorian building a commercial space fit for 21st century working while retaining the building’s magnificent fabric. Halifax Glass has used Hodgson Sealants’ U9 silicone for sealing the building’s impressive timber window units.  The windows, which are the full height of the storeys on the front façade, required a specialist glazing company to meet the demands of the project. Halifax Glass has many years’ experience in creating architectural glazing solutions and was called in to produce and install the windows at St James Street using Hodgson Silfix U9 Silicone Sealant for the job.  Halifax Glass also used quantities of Hodgson’s Flexistrip, the market-leading load-bearing security glazing strip for installing double glazed units, laminated glass and single glass into windows and doors.

Bespoke structural glazing solutions deliver natural light and ventilation to the cutting-edge design of the University of Cambridge Primary School.350 square meters of structural glazing from VELUX Commercial was installed to bring natural light and ventilation to the University of Cambridge Primary School – part of a much larger expansion project

Erskine House was selected as Northern Ireland’s only CivicTrustAward regional finalist in 2021 and is located on Chichester Street, one of Belfast’s oldest and busiest thoroughfares. The building delivers 10,000 sqm of office space with retail on the ground floor. The scheme is completed with a two storey glazed penthouse using a combination of accentuated feature caps and structural flush glazed sections offering views across the city.The Aluprof systems were fabricated and installed by Walsin Limited and consisted of Aluprof's MB-SR50N capped system and MB-SR50N EFEKT capless structural glazing systems with Aluprofs MB-86 doors. The finish externally on the systems is Powder Coating.

108 Cannon Street is billed by clients Endurance Land as ‘not your typical office space’.The innovative focus on an adaptable, reconfigurable internal design meant that modular partitions were a key part of the overall strategy.The holistic open-plan design would offer numerous spaces that differed in size, functionality and aesthetic design to cater for a variety of work habits.As leading innovators in the design and manufacture of adaptable and reusable solid and glazed partitions, Radii were a perfect fit for this project.Alongside our range of high-end commercial glazed partitions — all of which are fully demountable — our highly sustainable adaptable ‘2D’ crosswall solution would work in conjunction to produce the modular grid that the client would require to add the flexibility of space they desired.Fully interchangeable with the adjoining glazed fronts, this modular dry-jointed 2D system has been designed to be erected, taken down and reconfigured multiple times throughout the product lifecycle and add or remove private spaces as required.Radii combined our double-glazed Parallel 125 partitions (Rw 50 dB) and demountable adaptable 2D crosswall (Rw 52 dB) to create meeting spaces with exceptional acoustic privacy. Crosswall panel finishes varied to match the design of each space by architects Barr Gazetas, with magnetic writeable whiteboard also specified to add additional functionality for end users.Our single glazed Linear 25 (Rw 38 dB) and double glazed Parallel 50 (Rw 45 dB) partitions were also used due to the variety of acoustic requirement for the 14 different office and meeting rooms across the Lower Ground, Ground and Levels 2 and 3. These were fit alongside single, leaf and a half and double Hogan pivoting glazed doors.Finally, Radii also manufactured and installed a FirePro Ei30 fire rated double door set and screen in the reception lobby.

To meet the modern and collaborative design requirement, whilst also serving the function of private spaces, Komfort’s Kross Glaze 600 full transom glazed partitioning system and door sets were installed. Also, to complement the office design for both aesthetics and performance, a mixture of acoustic and feature reeded glass was installed to suit the independent office briefs.

This extension to the Tate St Ives nestles into the beautiful surroundings of the Cornish town. In reference to the history of ceramicists in St Ives, such as Bernard Leach, the building is clad in shiplapped ceramic tiles from our partners Agrob Buchtal, which were then hand glazed in the UK by glazing experts Froyles.Architects, Jamie Fobert, selected these tiles as the clay is pale sandy yellow with blue and green glazes that capture the ever-changing Cornish weather and blend into the hues of the sea beyond.The end result is a sensitive exterior which reflects the craftsmanship contained within.Tate St Ives was awarded the Art Fund’s Museum of the Year and shortlisted for the RIBA Stirling Prize 2018.

Located within the historic market town of Alnwick, Willowburn Retail Park is a new shopping destination with easy access from the A1, boasting 37,405 sq.ft. of retail floorspace, plus 200 parking spaces.The distinctive modern design by Projekt Architects uses a bold mixture of sustainable materials including energy-efficient glazing plus sustainable timber Accoya for the cladding, soffit and eaves. Senior Architectural Systems provided the entire glazing package including thermally-efficient SF52 curtain walling for the full-height glazed frontages and robust SPW501 doors, Certified to PAS24 and Secured by Design standards, to provide secure access throughout the development.

Aberdeen Railway Station is the UK’s busiest station north of Edinburgh and Glasgow and is listed is listed as ‘Category A’ by Historic Environment Scotland. The station building has a glazed canopy roof, which needed a full upgrade. This included replacement of the glazed roof area and waterproofing of the gutters around the perimeter of the canopy and of the plinth that connects the gutters to the glazed roof, forming the base for all maintenance walkways.The project had to be carried out without interruption to rail services or disruption to passengers, while adhering to strict health and safety requirements.Components:Sika Liquid Plastics Sikalastic®-825 -625.Metal Primer.S-Vap 5000 SA.Sika® Primer 600.

It was the pretty garden and view of the house from the driveway that first drew retired couple Melanie and Phil to what is now their much-loved home of ten years.The property has four bedrooms and two bathrooms and, though it sits within a conservation area, it is not listed. The house was originally three dwellings, each with an entrance door at the front and staircases behind the fireplaces. In the 1970s the houses were converted to a single dwelling and an extension was added at the back to house a single staircase, hall, landing and main bathroom. When the couple bought the house, it had old single glazed windows and doors, some of which were rotten. Since moving in Melanie did their best to persevere with the old glazing because it suited the cottage, but in the end decided to update it earlier this year. The couple wanted a solution that fitted with the character and age of Long Cottage, but also wanted it to feel cosier, warmer and more energy efficient. They decided on triple glazed Rationel windows and doors. They chose Rationel FORMAPLUS alu-clad triple glazed windows and doors in two finishes – cream for the outside and white inside. ‘We liked the fact they were maintenance free, but had the look of wooden units to tie in with the character of the cottage and the surrounding village properties,’ says Phil.While energy efficiency was a key reason for choosing triple glazing, they also wanted to reduce noise as much as possible – Brize Norton airbase is nearby. The couple are especially pleased with the windows in the bedrooms – which now meet industry safety standards for evacuation in case of a fire – and in the sitting room.‘The sitting room is in an end gable next to the road,’ says Melanie, ‘and the new triple-glazed unit has made it so much quieter and cosier than it was before.’

Facade systems from Technal helped the University of Leeds to set a new benchmark for student accommodation in the city. More than 3,00sqm of Technal glazing systems for the Charles Morris Halls were fabricated and installed, and the £21m student halls of residence comprises of two half-hexagon buildings sited around a central landscaped courtyard, providing 457 hotel-style study bedrooms.The challenging glazing specification involved the construction of large oriel glazing bays that project 300mm in front of the cladding, and contrasting projecting bays to the corners of the two buildings. The oriel bays provide a different architectural feature and an alternative to more conventional recessed panels of glazing. The floor to ceiling glazed units, which maximise natural light were constructed using aluminium curtain walling inset with top-hung casement windows. These were fabricated and installed into the bays in more than 30 different sizes to create a less regimented appearance for the building envelope. Laminated glass with coloured interlayers adds further interest to each facade - in panels of green where the glazing is set into red brickwork on the external elevations and orange for the courtyard elevations to complement the cream-coloured brick cladding. Long runs of curtain walling using 1500mm modules enclose the common room and the link bridge between the two accommodation blocks. The window units in the common room are linked to the air conditioning system, which allows them to open automatically according to CO2 levels. All other opening units on this scheme are operated by low-level levers to allow anyone, regardless of any disability to open the windows.

CABI, the Centre for Agriculture and Biosciences International, have moved into their brand new bespoke global headquarters for the organisation in Wallingford, Oxfordshire. Sitting in an area of outstanding natural beauty, this unique office development by architects, Scott Brownrigg, has been built with a low impact design and a strong emphasis on low carbon. The complete development incorporates energy-saving measures above current Building Regulations standards.  Whilst the outside of the building has been designed to be unobtrusive, allowing it to blend into its environment, internally the design has certainly been given the wow factor.  Rooflights allow natural light into the building, which continues to flow throughout by clever use of Lusso Atria glazing and Lusso 25 single frameless glazing. The glazed atrium has been installed with stunning affect and glazed partitions provide a 2,500sqm of workspace which incorporates a café restaurant, meeting rooms, and conference room/auditorium. This state-of-the-art headquarters is certainly fitting for an international organisation which will be visited by both guests and staff from around the world.     

For their first international location of leading American workplace and hospitality providers Convene, situated at London’s 22 Bishopsgate, Radii’s high-end banded partitioning and doors were deployed in an ‘organised non-conformity’ design across meeting spaces on the fourth floor.Single glazed Linear 30 (41dB Rw) and double glazed Parallel 50 (45dB Rw) partitions were used alongside single glazed doors, all installed with randomised black feature banding combined with both reeded and frosted manifestations in differing orientations to create an eye-catching effect.The fit out for Convene — designed to offer nearby businesses an inspirational space to connect and collaborate — won in the Innovation category at the 2023 British Council for Offices Awards.

Pyrobel Vision Line, frameless fire-resistant glazed partitions

A new state-of-the-art Jaguar Landrover showroom was built for the Helston Group in Taunton. The facilities reflect the latest corporate identity concept and comes complete with a new workshop, multi-storey rooftop parking, and an interactive showroom configuration with display systems.The showroom features wide open spaces and a large sales area to provide the customer with a first-class experience. It also affords staff members greater visibility throughout the showroom and forecourt areas. Lusso were appointed by main contractor, Acheson Construction, to provide internal glazing throughout the showroom and workshop area. Lusso 25 frameless single glazed partitioning system and complimentary Lusso glass doors were installed to form individual offices which allow privacy when needed, whilst still maintaining visibility of the showroom. Lusso 105 double glazed frameless partitions were installed to provide a barrier between the showroom and workshop area.The use of stylish internal glazing as part of the backdrop to the stunning Jaguar Landrover range certainly makes an impact. The end result blends functionality and aesthetics, providing a stylish and contemporary showroom worthy of the prestigious Jaguar Land Rover brand.

The award winning Copper Building, designed by Ferguson Mann Architects, adds 136 new apartments to Bristol’s Lakeshore scheme, an ambitious regeneration project by Urban Splash. The distinctive, copper-clad four-storey building is a thoughtful solution to higher-density living, underpinned by sustainable building performance. Generous glazing is a key feature of the project, with VELFAC triple glazed slim-framed composite windows bringing extra light into apartments and communal spaces.

Vitral, now part of VELUX Commercial, manufactured and delivered a number of its bespoke daylight solutions to the intu Metrocentre in Gateshead. Seeking to maximise the daylighting potential, CDA Group considered the VELUX Glazing Panels, previously known as Vitral A74 roof glazing, the most appropriate solution as they could be tailored to suit the project. They offered several key benefits, which included their suitability to be self-supporting, thereby reducing the need for additional structure.

Radii joined the fit-out for this asset management company’s new European headquarters in mid-2022, working for approximately 20 weeks to deliver our high-end commercial solutions for 179 offices and meeting spaces across Levels 1 to 4 of the 88,000 sq ft site.Curved double glazed Parallel 50 (45dB Rw) partitions were manufactured and installed by Radii for a number of meeting rooms fronts, while single glazed Linear 25 (41 dB Rw) and double glazed Parallel 100 (50dB Rw) were also deployed to match the variety of acoustic requirements. Mesh glass was used in places on Levels 2 to 4 to provide extra privacy around reception and lounge areas respectively.Partitions were complemented with smoked dark European oak timber veneered doors throughout the space.

Clickfix sculpts the light in royal art & design studioBrett Martin supplied the polycarbonate panels used to glaze the striking northlights in the roof exhibition space in the new Battersea campus of the Royal College of Art, London which the college described as ‘the most significant campus development in their history’The architects brief was to bring together art, design, science and technology in one place and the building has been certified as BREEAM excellent.Marlon Clickfix pans across 2 vertical sections in the top floor of the 4-storey Studio Building dedicated to traditional art and design disciplines.The product was selected due to its ease of installation, thermal insulation and high levels of natural light which allows for large, glazed areas. The bright space and the sheer size of the glazing in this building illustrates the benefits of the product wonderfully and as stated by the guardian “The space beneath the big triangular skylights is glorious”. 

A beautiful mix of a traditional kitchen with modern roof-to-wall glazing by Cantifix has successfully incorporated roof shading to reduce heat and glare.R30 Zipped Roller Blinds were specified by DUST Architecture with the roller mechanism concealed within the back wall of the house. The side channels were powder coated to match the glazing structure. Blinds were made using Goodrich 1% Screen material to provide maximum protection without reducing noticeable light.

The problem Hitachi had came from the sun’s glare. Being a tall building with lots of large glazed areas, south-facing and with other glazed buildings around it, office workers would be subjected to long periods of sunshine. YewdaleDefiant® R20 Sidewinder roller blinds were specified with Mid Grey 3% Roe fabric. This fabric is a screen fabric that limits the glare of the sun but still lets in plenty of ambient light. Read more about this project.

This international law firm that represents a broad array of clients, with offices in the United States, Europe, the Middle East and Asia. Their new UK headquarters at 8 Bishopsgate, London will be a key hub for their global offering to clients.The centrepiece of the interior design by architects tp bennett was the inclusion of a complex curved glazed double sliding door set.The doors and adjoining curved screens would have to span a wide radius and with a perfect operating mechanism to match the exacting requirements laid out in the design brief.Following consultation with tp bennett and production of relevant component samples, Radii’s design team worked closely with our production team to create the bespoke curved doorset at our dedicated manufacturing facilities at our group headquarters in Burgess Hill, West Sussex. The solution was based on our single glazed Linear 59 partition system with top-hung sliding doors.This ensured that the intricate door design not only performed perfectly but did so while meeting required radius. The sliding double doors were finished off with eye-catching 1500mm timber pull handles   .As well as the unique curved doorset Radii designed and installed glazed fronts for 119 office and meeting rooms. Linear 25 (Rw 39 dB) partitions were paired with single glazed Hogan pivoting doors on Levels 27 and 29-31, also with timber pull handles.On Level 28, double glazed Parallel 50 (Rw 45 dB) was utilised for larger meeting rooms requiring extra acoustic privacy. Radii also supplied some slip matched American white oak veneered doors on the project.

Pyrobel Vision Line fire-resistant glazed screens for EI30 (30 minutes integrity and insulation)

This external solar shading system with aluminium sliding panels in front of the glazing means the sun's rays do not get a chance to heat up the interior directly. DucoSlide also ensures maximum privacy by screening off the glazed areas, while maintaining the view outside. DucoSlide also adds value to the façade of the building from an aesthetic point of view. The slim and robust frame profile, light weight, fine louvre blades and aluminium colour of the panels, perfectly complements the colour of the building.

Architect/Designer: Chu AssociatesLocation: LondonProject Overview: Complete refurbishment of existing high-end client meeting suite, scope included a complete ironmongery package for all new full height timber & double glazed doors.ServiceFull hardware scheduling & bespoke design service.Project Details3v worked closely with Chu Associates on this project to provide discreet stainless steal ironmongery that enhanced the beautiful full height walnut doors and thin profiles double glazed doors.As well as providing complete hardware scheduling for the whole project we also worked with the team to customise both the size and finish of one of our existing pull handles. These custom made 1800mm straight pull handles with Firenze black leather grip were coordinated well in advance with both the joinery and glazing contractors to add the perfect finish touch to this high-end design scheme.

Project: Knightsbridge Gate, 55-91 KnightsbridgeClient: APML EstateMain contractor: Sir Robert McAlpineArchitects: Dixon Jones Architects (lead), Richard Griffiths Architects (conservation including shopfronts design) and MSMR Architects (residential interior design)Installer: Atlantic Contracts (shopfront design and installation), Richard Gent (glazier)In the world of retail, a Knightsbridge address is about as desirable as it gets, which is why so many brands choose to locate their flagship stores on the famed central-London street.For the designers of Knightsbridge Gate, a landmark mixed-use development that occupies an entire block of the street, providing the best possible shopfronts for the retailers that will occupy the scheme’s ground floor was a top priority. So, choosing the right glazing was paramount.While most of the building has been newly constructed, the 120-metre-long Edwardian street-facing façade has been retained, along with its 17 glazed shopfronts. The glazing for each of the frontages is held in place by decorative oak frames that have been carefully re-created according to the original design.Letting window displays shineTo ensure that the units look their best, the designer selected Pilkington OptiView™ Protect OW anti-reflective glass for the street-level glazing.Coatings on the outer faces of the laminated glass reduce its reflectivity to around 2%, compared with around 8% for standard, un-coated glass. The result is that views into the shopfronts are almost entirely un-interrupted by reflections, even on bright days, ensuring that retailers’ window displays are shown off to the best effect.To give further clarity, the glass is Pilkington Optiwhite™ low-iron glass that is almost entirely free from colouration.Rachel Scannell at APML Estate said: “The aim with the retail units at Knightsbridge Gate was to create spaces that the most prestigious brands in the world would be happy to choose in order to display their offerings. The glazing is, of course, a key part of this.“The anti-reflective glass from Pilkington UK is often used by galleries and museums to display priceless artworks and artifacts without compromising on detail, so the retailers that call Knightsbridge Gate home will enjoy the same benefits.”Crafted to lastAdding to the aesthetic appeal of the glazing is the complex shape of the panes that make it up, including a large, curved edge at the top of the central pane in each shopfront. Pilkington UK engineers worked closely with the carpenters to precision cut each pane of glass to ensure a perfect fit.The shop front windows are as tough as they are beautiful as they consist of two panes of glass laminated together with a strong polyvinyl butyral (PVB) interlayer. This ensures the glazing can stand up to all the forces that may be thrown at it, from wind-loading to any attempts to smash the glass.Due to the anti-reflective coating being applied at a high temperature when the glass was being made, it is highly scratch-resistant, ensuring its clean and clear appearance will last for many years to come.Peter Maj, business development manager at Pilkington United Kingdom Limited, part of the NSG Group, said: “By selecting Pilkington OptiView™ for this project, the designers have demonstrated that it is the product of choice for retail applications where the glazing will be under the utmost scrutiny and needs to look its best.”Along with the shop-fronts, Pilkington UK also supplied 300 m² of Pilkington Optiphon™ OW acoustic glass, which has been used throughout the offices and apartments on the upper five floors of the building to provide noise-reducing secondary glazing.

The newly completed 122 Waterloo Street development in the centre of Glasgow offers its occupants floor-to-ceiling glazing throughout, with almost uninterrupted views thanks to the latest Schüco curtain-walling system designed, manufactured and installed by Edinburgh-based façade specialist Charles Henshaw & Sons Ltd.But, impressively, the landmark building – which will be the Glasgow headquarters of global financial services firm Morgan Stanley – will also be one of the most energy efficient buildings in Scotland, thanks in part to high-performance glass coatings from Pilkington United Kingdom Limited.The scheme has been certified BREEAM Excellent, and achieved an ‘A’ rated Energy Performance Certificate (EPC), the latter based on a detailed assessment of the building’s energy performance. The glazing helps to minimise this by reducing energy emitted from the building, as well as the heating effect of the sun, both of which can make maintaining a comfortable interior climate more energy-intensive.A glass for all seasonsThe scale of the building and the large area of glass used means that excessive radiation of heat from the building could lead to rapid heat loss during colder conditions, requiring an increase in heating to keep the interior warm.To mitigate this effect, the glazing features a Pilkington Optitherm ™ S1 Plus low-emissivity coating which reflects radiated heat back into the building.The second issue that can affect buildings where most of the envelope is glazed is excessive heat build-up when the sun is shining directly into the interior. This can present a challenge for building managers, often requiring high levels of energy-intensive air conditioning.To combat this, a solar-control coating has been used, reducing the amount of heat energy that is able to enter the building while maintaining high levels of transparency. Michael Metcalfe, commercial sales manager at Pilkington UK, said: “The Pilkington Suncool™ 70/35 T coating selected by the design team offers high visible light transmittance, reduced solar transmittance and excellent low-emissivity all in one product.“This means the floor space will be brightly lit by sunlight but won’t suffer from overheating on warmer days.”Clear viewsThe coatings are not the only innovative part of the glazing used in the project, as the glass is held in place by the latest structurally bonded curtain wall system from manufacturer Schüco. Each unit contains a large pane of clear glass and a smaller pane of opaque, coloured spandrel glass, creating horizontal lines across the façade between each floor of the building.Michael Metcalfe continued: “The metal carrier frames in which the glass sits are extremely low profile, so the edges of the panes of glass are very close to one another. This removes the mullions normally associated with unit-based glazing systems, creating a flush glass surface with almost uninterrupted views.”The clarity of the glazing was further improved by the use of Pilkington Optiwhite™ true low-iron glazing throughout, which significantly reduces the slight green tint that is inherent in standard float glass.On the ground floor, Pilkington Optilam™ laminated glazing was used to provide protection against manual attack and increase the security of the building.Completed in December 2017, the nine-storey building also includes 155,000 sq ft of Grade A office space.Project: 122 Waterloo Street, GlasgowClient: HFD GroupArchitect: Micahel Laird ArchitectsCurtain walling supplier: SchücoInstaller: Charles Henshaw & Sons LtdImages courtesy of S G Photography

Verde is situated on the junction of Pitt Street and Wellington Street in Newcastle. Comprising of two buildings forming a V-shape, the facade runs parallel to both streets. These two structures are clad in green glazed terracotta tile laid horizontally across both buildings with a selection of projecting tiles to create a sense of movement and signalling the entrance to the development. For the glazing specification, the building was thermally modelled as part of the Part L Assessment with performance requirements for the windows generated by its outcomes and outlined by the projects building services engineer.

The scope of work at 217 Bath Road combined a full-scale structural refurbishment and fit-out of the internal space along with extensive landscaping works around the building.Landlords EPIC UK sought to revitalise the site into four floors of highly desirable Grade A office space — all to be done with a strong emphasis on sustainability.With a view to make the most of the available floorspace, a partially-filled atrium design was submitted by architects Stiff + Trevellion.Radii AG’s experience in providing structural glazed atrium solutions saw them work closely with the architects and main contractors Overbury and contribute their considerable expertise to bring the design to life.The initial atrium design at Bath Road was to be comprised of system partitions that were installed ‘slab to slab’, with spandrel panels then covering the glazing.After careful consideration, Radii AG proposed an alternative solution that would see all glazed elements and spandrel panels installed in one continuous plane.This evolution of the design would ‘value engineer’ the build and improve overall aesthetics by ensuring clean lines throughout.Furthermore, Radii AG were able to work closely with our western contracting office, who were tasked with supplying the abutted glass partitioning systems.The installation of free issue spandrel panels ensured a seamless aesthetic transition to the adjoining glazed partitioning from the industrial-style partition system.

Project: 1 Aylesbury Street, Clerkenwell, London, EC1R 0DRClient: MeritcapeArchitect: Atum Design LabM&E consultant: EngDesignProtecting Cities Against Fire with Advanced GlazingDaylight-flooded spaces command a premium from tenants, but in the densest urban areas – where buildings are very tightly packed – it can be difficult to achieve. Not least because of the need to protect against the spread of fire.This was the challenge for developer Meritcape when they set out to refurbish 1 Aylesbury Street – a converted historic warehouse building in Clerkenwell, East London.The designers wanted to fill every floor of the building with natural light, from both the front and the back of the building by using floor-to-ceiling glazing on every floor. However, the rear of the property was just three metres away from a neighbouring building.To prevent fire spreading from one building to the next, building regulations specify the fire resistance that external walls need to be able to provide. This is given as minimum requirements for integrity – how long they can contain smoke and flames – and insulation, or how long they can prevent the escape of heat. Steve Bond, technical and customer support manager, fire, at Pilkington United Kingdom Limited, said: “When you have two buildings this close together, standard glazing is not an option, as it doesn’t put up enough of a barrier to fire spreading outwards from the building.“That’s where fire-resistant glazing can make a big difference. By providing protection against fire while also letting light flow in, we can create light-filled spaces in very built-up parts of the city where not long ago it wouldn’t have been possible.“As well as sealing in flames and smoke for at least an hour, the glass also provides radiation shielding that reduces the amount of heat energy that can pass outwards through the glass – another key means of spreading fire.” The rear façade of the building is glazed in Pilkington Pyroclear® Plus insulating double-glazed units, delivering not only the right level of fire resistance, but have also been designed to give excellent thermal insulation (U-value) properties to reduce heat-loss from the building.Davood Kiani, Senior Project Consultant at Meritcape said: “Those looking for modern commercial space expect floorplans to be well lit with natural light, and this is one of the main design challenges when working with buildings in the most densely urban areas of the city.“Fire regulations are one of the big reasons for this, so Pilkington fire-resistant glazing means we can achieve the best of both worlds - a building that meets or exceeds all of the safety regulations while also feeling spacious and airy.”A total of 800 m2 of Pilkington glass was used in the project, including in the front façade of the building, in which hundreds custom-sized small double-glazed solar-control units were used to imitate the crittall steel-framed windows that are a signature feature of buildings in the area.Images by S G Photography

Project: Slimming World headquartersClient: Slimming WorldMain contractor: Morgan Sindall ConstructionArchitect: CPMGWith its newly extended headquarters in Alfreton, Derbyshire, weight-loss organisation Slimming World wanted to create a landmark building for the brand that would both provide an ideal working and training space for its people and deliver excellent environmental performance.Glazing plays a key role in the £8.5 million scheme, both aesthetically and in terms of its use of energy.At the heart of the building is a large atrium with a full-height glass front elevation and a glazed roof running right to the back of the space. Meanwhile, one of the wings connected by the lobby area features large ‘picture windows’ that deliver views over the facility’s attractive, leafy grounds.High-performance envelopeBecause much of the building’s envelope is glazed, the designers faced the challenge of avoiding the need for an energy-intensive climate-control system to create a comfortable environment for users all-year-round.Lee Shaw, Business Development Manager at Pilkington United Kingdom, explained: “The twin challenges any building with extensive glazing faces are loss of heat on cold days and excessive heating as result of direct sunlight when the weather is warmer.“The combination of products we have supplied to this project use advanced coatings cleverly to minimise these two effects, helping to smooth out the peaks and troughs that can lead to uncomfortable temperatures, expensive heating and air-conditioning bills and wasted energy.”The curtain walling system uses double-glazed units manufactured by Pilkington, incorporating Pilkington Suncool™ 60/31 T solar-control glass and Pilkington Optitherm™ S1 Plus, a low-emissivity product.The solar-control glass features a state-of-the-art coating that transmits only 31 per cent of the sun’s energy, while still allowing for 60 per cent light transmittance, so that occupants still get a clear view outward.The low-emissivity glass meanwhile features a coating that reduces outward radiation of heat, so that less is allowed to leave the building on colder days.Uninterrupted viewsThe same glass is used in the atrium wall and roof but is held in place using the latest structurally glazed units from Schueco. These deliver glazed surfaces with ultra-low-profile frames to minimise interruption of views from the building, as well as daylight flowing into it.Extra strength is added to the atrium glazing by including a layer of laminated glass on the inner pane, to help the large units stand up to forces exerted on them by the wind and potentially the weight of snow during the winter.Lee Shaw continued: “This project demonstrates the range of glazing solutions we are able to offer, with a combination of curtain walling, structural glazing and roof glass, all of which has been manufactured in the UK.“The architect has used timber slats to deliver some degree of solar shading, but the extensive area of glazing enclosing the space means there would still be significant risk of excessive heat build-up. The glazing specified minimises this effect, saving energy and money while also delivering a more comfortable and stable year-round climate for those using the building.“This is also one of the first projects to feature Pilkington Suncool™ 60/31 Pro T glass, which is now fully manufactured in the UK, following recent re-location of production from Germany. It’s great that we’ve been able to combine a made-in-Britain success story with a new chapter for a well-loved British business.”The completion of the building is the latest chapter in the story of Slimming World, which started when founder Margaret Miles-Bramwell OBE, then 21 years old, first began holding Slimming World groups in Alfreton in 1969. Now, 50 years later, there are 19,000 local groups across the UK and Ireland, run by a network of more than 5,500 self-employed Consultants.The new headquarters includes extensive training facilities, meeting and office spaces, as well as a brand new 550-seater restaurant for staff, guests and Consultants visiting for training.Paul James, Slimming World’s Facilities Manager, says: “People have always been at the heart of Slimming World’s success and so ensuring that our people – our head office staff and Consultants – have the facilities and environment they need to do the best job possible has been a real priority for us. The new building will ensure we have the facilities we need to train and support all of our fantastic Consultants who deliver exceptional service to our members to support them to lose weight and live healthier, happier lives.“Having large expanses of glass has provided us with a beautiful, light-filled space that will be comfortable and inviting for everyone who uses the building right through the year.”

Finish: Interpon D2525 Anodic Bronze Y2214F Parts Coated: Windows Architect: 3DReid Fabricator: Enhanced Glazing Applicator: Kawneer