"external lighting"

Residential DevelopmentWarwick House is an exclusive new collection of stunning interior designed apartments, blending contemporary living with style and sustainability. Surrounded by uninterrupted green views, the apartments are set for completion in early 2023.

This new museum is the result of a close collaboration between Paris and Abu Dhabi, with some Artworks lent by France and a French architect, Jean Nouvel. Jean Nouvel has created a town on Saadiyat island, situated 10km from Abu Dhabi center. Barrisol has also brought its know-how: we can find in kids' area some lightening ceilings and in the VIP room, black ceilings coming from the "Reflets laqués" range of products. Architect : Jean Nouvel

The production site was closed in 2009 along with the museum but Alfa Romeo wished to convert the site into a place of memory matching the Group's ambition for this brand coming back. Today, the museum homes the most important collection of cars from the Alfa Romeo brand. Indeed, you can find the 69 car models that have made mark on history of the brand. Barrisol sheet : 815 sqm of translucent blanc Venus sheet with star white harpoon. Profile used : BS 350/01 Lightning : LED strip

Our client saved 70% installation time on mechanical services throughout their project using Walraven RapidRail system, prefabricated before delivery to site.

After a particularly contentious and protracted planning process, this semi-detached, red-bricked house, part of a group of five properties that form Regent’s Mews in affluent London NW8, finally boasts an impressive third storey extension as a result of the erection of a mansard roof.The new dormer windows to its front aspect lend this 1980’s property a delightfully modern aesthetic, whilst the provision of a green roof to the rear aspect underlines its eco-credentials. The installation of Glazing Vision’s elegant sliding-over fixed rooflight above the stairwell, together with 4 additional fixed rooflights, has maximised the light streaming into this new living space, and also provided an all-important source of ventilation.Initial proposals to convert this house from two to three floors were rejected way back in 2001 by the local Planning Department on the grounds of it being “visually intrusive, overbearing massing not part of the existing architectural language and overlooking neighbours”. These same considerations faced Robinson Leigh Architects, whose track record of successful planning application had led to their appointment in 2013 by a client keen to find a solution to the planning impasse.There were a number of challenges for the architects, as they sought to design a scheme that would prove more successful through planning. The house is situated in St John’s Wood Conservation area, where restrictions on the character and appearance of all buildings are strictly applied. Normally any roof extension in this area would not be permitted and the house, indeed the entire mews, had been identified as an “unlisted building of merit”. Consequently the planners insisted that all new work to the house “must match existing original work in terms of choice of materials, method of construction and finished appearance in order to maintain the cohesion of the mews.The variety of roof forms in the mews, however, presented an opportunity for the architects to put forward their proposal of a flat-topped mansard roof as “a modern interpretation of the surrounding architectural precedent” said Leigh. Critically, the new mansard roof would also not add height above the general roof level of the neighbouring properties in Regent’s Mews, and thus would not be visually intrusive. The design of the three new dormer windows at the front of the house did depart from that of the dormer windows on the other mews houses though – they were square in contrast to the prevalent curved headed windows. However, given that they were really only visible from within the actual mews, the planners considered this alteration in form to be acceptable. Furthermore, the recessed glazing of the dormer windows ensured that the privacy of the occupants using the living spaces would not be compromised.The choice of materials also had to conform to the surrounding properties: the dormer windows were lead-clad, and the roof was tiled in Welsh slate, which softens its appearance and reduces the “apparent bulk of the structure.Another complication for Robinson Leigh related to the impact upon the large villas of Langford Place to the rear of the property. Vehement objections from these residents, who were concerned that the roof extension would shatter the illusion that they are set in extensive grounds led the architects to revise their proposal: the pitch of the northwest slope of the mansard roof was adjusted to a 70 degree angle in order to reduce its prominence in the views from these villas, particularly from 5 Langford Place. A second flat roof, which adjoined the house was removed, and Robinson Leigh extended the mansard roof to the parapet. This then gave the client more internal space, eliminated any overlooking issues, and created a more homogenous and symmetrical design.The architects cleverly designed both the main roof level of the mansard to be landscaped with indigenous flora in order to respect the planners’ preference for ecological biodiversity in the area as well as to attenuate water run-off.In conjunction with these structural requirements imposed on Robinson Leigh’s design of the mansard roof, unlocking natural daylight in the “dark zones” in the interior of the new storey was a key priority. Mindful of the rejection of the glazed roof proposal from 2001, which the planners had deemed to be too intrusive on the neighbours and at odds with the surrounding architecture, the architects sought to reduce the amount glazed by 50%, whilst simultaneously addressing the problem of reduced levels of natural daylight resulting from the recessed dormer windows.Robinson Leigh’s solution was to propose a more sympathetic glazing arrangement to the flat-top of the mansard roof, comprising four large fixed rooflights and a sliding over fixed rooflight from Glazing Vision, that would achieve the high specification they desired. These rooflights, pointed upwards to the sky, would maximise the amount of daylight entering the extension and bouncing off the hardwood timber, which had been used extensively, as Leigh points out, to “draw together several disparate elements of the interior design, such as the sliding walls, pocket doors and floor-to-ceiling shelving and cupboards”.Glazing Vision’s sliding over fixed rooflight was to inhabit the space immediately above the stairwell, which had also been lined in timber to subtly link the top floor with the ground floor and to help draw the eye upwards. Timber frames had also been used on the windows. As with the other four rooflights, Glazing Vision’s sliding over fixed rooflight needed to be made to a bespoke size – the architects required it to be the exact size of the stairwell, or indeed over-sized, so that the frames were not visible from below. Precision-engineered at the Glazing Vision factory in Norfolk, the special sliding over fixed rooflight was supplied in two sections, with an overall span of 2400mm and a width of 2240mm. The minimalist internal framework, finished in pure white rather than the standard grey, ensured that there were unfettered, sky-only views from the inside, thereby enhancing the impression of space and loft. Through the clear glazing of the Glazing Vision rooflight natural daylight absolutely flooded the stairwell, permeating also down to the lower floors.Given the stringent planning controls on the appearance of the mansard roof and the concerns of the vociferous neighbours, Glazing Vision’s sliding over fixed rooflight offered another invaluable benefit to Robinson Leigh. The footprint of the unit on the roof remained fixed, both open and close. This meant that there was no bulky additional furniture required, whilst the minimalist exterior framework was finished in slate grey to blend harmoniously with the Welsh slate roof tiles.No less important was the need for natural ventilation in the mansard roof extension. The architects were keen to create a venturi effect in the central core of the house and stairwell by channeling the airflow through the opening of the rooflight. The Glazing Vision rooflight, specified by Robinson Leigh to slide side-to-side rather than up and down, is electronically controlled at the touch of a button from inside the house, retracting the sliding section over the fixed section of glazing. Once the sliding section is fully retracted, there is a 50% clear opening in the rooflight, out towards the sky, thus providing superior air quality within the top floor, as well as intensifying the amount of natural daylight. An essential security feature of the Glazing Vision sliding-over fixed rooflight is that it is supplied with a manual override as standard.The design, approval and erection of the mansard roof extension took three years but Robinson Leigh have succeeded in updating a tired-looking 1980’s mews house with a new, sophisticated, modern exterior, that quietly complements the surrounding properties. The new third storey has exceeded the client’s needs for additional living space, and the clever use of rooflights has ensured the interior is light, bright and inviting.

London Square Bermondsey is a residential-led mixed use development in South-East London and comprises over 400 1, 2 and 3 bedroom homes, both private and affordable, flexible workspaces for small businesses and art studios. To clad the façade of the building, it was decided to use DucoSlide BiFold architectural external solar shading.Overcoming challengesOne of the major challenges at the time of the development was the coronavirus, that had a major impact on fabrication, delivery of materials and project deadlines.Michael Brainbridge, Site Manager explains : «Despite the challenge with the coronavirus, we have overcome this smoothly and can now easily say the product we installed is to a good standard and every party concerned is happy with the result. »Quality-finishing in prestigious projectThe high-end, large-scale project, which was finished in the first quarter of 2022, is located in one of the busiest areas in London. The complex consists of residential buildings beside cozy squares and pedestrian paths and truly oozes luxury and prestige.The DucoSlide BiFold panels blend perfectly into these luxurious surroundings and accentuate the façade design of the building effortlessly. The panels are built into a frame that slides away completely. This creates a clear-cut aesthetic difference between the open and closed positions.Michael Brainbridge continues: “ The benefit of the DucoSlide BiFold sunscreen is that it is light, durable and very functional. The panels are easy to handle, easy to install and the finish of the product is of a high standard and quality. Thanks to the DucoSlide panels, the building's appearance has been raised to a higher level which perfectly matches the environment.”

Part of the Wembley Park masterplan, this mixed-use development designed by GRID Architects delivers 396 Build to Rent dwellings for Quintain Living, together with a large health centre and retail along two streets. The specification of Vandersanden’s Majestic and Luna Taranis bricks responds to the setting of the development and helps visually separate the buildings.Repton Gardens is the next generation of Build to Rent developments at Wembley. The form is two long buildings on either side of a large amenity courtyard, with a smaller block between. The two main buildings are split into two, the southern half is 11 storeys high and the northern half steps up to 21 storeys. These brick-clad forms present a strong architectural statement within the huge regeneration of the area that is seen on arrival at Wembley Park station. From the first drawing, the facade material for the development was conceived as being brickwork. The architecture is simple and elegant but there was the desire to visually separate the elements of the two stepped buildings. To achieve this it was decided to use contrasting bricks with a light, but warm brick for the taller elevations and a dark - but again warm - brick for the lower areas. With this in mind, Vandersanden’s Majestic brick, which is a light grey with a hint of buff, was selected for the upper part while the darker Luna Taranis brick was chosen for the lower. The colour and texture of these bricks also contrast with the greyer, smoother brick of the existing, neighbouring buildings. “The brick choice was crucial,” explains Colin Veitch, director at GRID Architects. “We didn’t want the appearance of a normal mixed brick. The colour variation and texture that the Vandersanden product offers are an essential part of the richness of the overall design; they feel more natural and less engineered.”  GRID Architects had previously used Vandersanden products on Emerald Gardens, part of the same Wembley masterplan. “The bricks have a texture and almost handmade quality that you don’t get with many other brick types. When selecting the bricks for Repton Gardens we were looking at the colour first and foremost but, within that colour, the variation and the mix of slightly different colours within a batch. Another key consideration was the brick’s texture and the variation within that. We were very pleased with all these qualities and how they work together,” notes Veitch. The bricks were laid with a stretcher bond using a mortar as close as possible to the brick colour. Although slightly recessed, the joints are as flush as practicable so it feels like a homogeneous material across the wall. On the courtyard facades of the buildings, panels of corbeling were introduced to provide patterning - where the building cores meet there were no windows. To achieve this, every other course stands out by 20mm, creating light and shade to the facade. Appreciating the colour and texture of the buildings, both from afar and close up was an essential part of the vision. On arrival at Wembley Park station, the visitor looks towards Wembley stadium and sees the light coloured ends of these buildings at a distance and they appear to be smooth. Getting closer, the buildings reveal themselves differently as the texture, colour variations and tactility of the surfaces are perceived. Another goal was to tie together the external and internal visions. ‘Botanical living’ was the concept for both the inside and outside of the development. There is greenery, planting and colour in the corridors; it is about bringing nature inside. With this in mind, it felt right to have a natural feeling material on the outside; rather than a smooth and engineered product. Colin is enthusiastic about the resulting aesthetic. “The bricks have exceeded expectations and everybody is very pleased with the look of the project. Working with Vandersanden has been an incredibly positive experience!”

Pinewood Studio in Cardiff may be the location where Dr Who regularly saves the Universe but there was no intergalactic crisis when the building’s 16,000m2 roof needed to be refurbished recently. Instead, Sika Liquid Plastics’ Sikalastic® 625 cold applied liquid membrane provided the ideal solution to protect the building from Wales’ famously wet climate while enabling a low key project that didn’t disrupt filming on the many Hollywood movies and acclaimed TV shows filmed there, which have included James Bond, Harry Potter and Sherlock. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ayB4ekA7FfM&feature=youtu.be

Bioethanol fires require no chimney or flue, give off no harmful emissions and are 95% energy efficient. They are available in a large selection of designs for living rooms, kitchens, bedrooms, bathrooms and gardens. A good example is the home of Bury resident Anthony Norman, who chose an Italian kitchen and a British made bedroom from local dealer Icon, both featuring table-top bioethanol fires. Anthony and his family were convinced that they would make exciting additions to their new kitchen and master bedroom. Ebios bioethanol fires are made in Germany and distributed by DRU in the UK.

Barrisol® is improving the look of Great Ormond Street Childrens Hospital in London, England. The cafeteria is transformed into a magical and friendly place. Designed by the architect Llewelyn Davies Yeang, who took inspiration from the Disney universe, the ceiling is a Barrisol® translucent Blanc Venus along with the Barrisol® Lumiere Color® technology. Using the fabrics this way, coloured bands (translucent sheets) soften the atmosphere and bring the benefits of the chromotherapy.

Fircroft House in Essex has been completely transformed from a tired 1980s detached property into a distinctive home with a contemporary edge.Renovated throughout, Fircroft House features a new ground floor extension, pale grey timber-effect external cladding (replacing a brick and render façade), and brand new Rationel alu-clad windows and doors. In fact, sixteen new windows are installed across the property, including opening and fixed units, two large sliding patio doors, and a solid, grooved front door flanked by glazed side lights and set beneath an arched portico. When planning the refurbishment of Fircroft House, window and door replacement was a project priority, as the original property had single glazed, leaded, all-timber windows which made the interior very dark and were thermally inefficient. All-aluminium glazing was initially considered because the homeowners wanted an affordable, durable and contemporary frame design which looked more attractive than uPVC. They changed their mind, however, when they saw Rationel AURAPLUS alu-clad windows installed at a friend’s home: ‘The idea of a frame which combined timber and aluminium was very appealing,’ they say. ‘It offered the best of both worlds with hardwearing aluminium outside and thanks to the wood, a more tactile finish to the inner frames, so we decided to find out more.’ The homeowners are delighted with their new windows and doors and would happily recommend Rationel: ‘We are very impressed with the package offered by Rationel,’ they say. ‘The windows and doors are all high quality, low maintenance and look great, and the service we received from okoHaus was amazing from start to finish.’

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.

Pavillion Point is a Purpose Built Student Accommodation (PBSA) development on London Road in the centre of Brighton in East Sussex, close to the University of Brighton's main campus. Managed by student accommodation specialist Fresh, the building provides 232 student rooms, dedicated social and study areas, a gym, cafe, multimedia space and landscaped courtyard as well as retail units on the ground floor. The five storey development, designed by Corstorphine & Wright, targeted BREEAM Excellent standards as well as high levels of acoustic performance.In addition to the TECHNAL windows, curtain walling, doors and sliding systems chosen, the external facade features a clay brick slip system for the ground to third floors with a grey rainscreen cladding on the set-back fourth floor. The use of TECHNAL's aluminum systems contributed to creating an A1 rated non-combustible facade, a client requirement given the increased focus on fire safety.To ensure high levels of natural light in the student room, the design features large floor to ceiling windows. The aluminium tilt before turn windows were installed above a fixed glazing panel to create this feature. The TBT windows were selected as the inward tilt opening provides suitable ventilation whilst ensure the safety of the residents. The aim of achieving BREEAM Excellent certification as well as the building’s location on a busy road meant that the door, window and curtain walling systems had to also meet a number of specific performance requirements, not least a high level of acoustic performance. This was a challenge due to the size of some of the panels included in the design. TECHNAL system allowed a 41dB sound reduction to be achieved while optimising the weight of the glazed units.

Bringing natural, simple and light aesthetics to busy campusIssueThe Aarhus University campus is easily recognisable with its long yellow brick buildings rising between trees, mature plants, lakes and paths in a park close to the city centre. The architecture of The Skou Building, which was named after Nobel Prize winner Jens-Christian Skou and is home to the Institute of Biomedicine, needed to be retained, while modernised.ApproachArchitect company CUBO Arkitekter designed the space, which was opened in 2018 and won the City Architects Award in 2019, with a focus on reinterpreting the campus architecture. The building is designed as two staggered lengths that meet in a central atrium. Glass slits have been inserted vertically throughout the building, affording wonderful views of the external spaces and the local cathedral.Inside there has been an emphasis on reducing the number of different materials used, to create a simple, bright and natural look throughout. At the same time, some of the organic, natural shapes in the green spaces outside are drawn into the building, promoting the biophilic design.SolutionThe first two levels of The Skou Building now feature white walls, oak interiors and large glass sections, continuing the biophilic feel. To provide safety throughout the 9000 m2 of corridors and laboratories on the top six floors, Altro Walkway 20 in Cloud has been used, reducing the risk of slipping to one in a million. In addition, 750 m2 of Altro Walkway 20 SD static dissipative flooring in Fog has been used in laboratories which had specific safety requirements. To complete the biophilic design, works of art have been used throughout the building to bring the outside in.

October 2021 Cheshire East Council officially marked the reopening of Castle Street in Macclesfield following the completion of a scheme to transform the area and support the town’s regeneration. After delays, the work began in April 2021 and has seen footways widened and roads resurfaced with a natural cobblestone-style paving, newly planted trees, and improved street lighting.Artform Urban Furniture was appointed by Ringway Jacobs Ltd to provide seating and cycle parking to the new external space. The seating option selected was the robust and sizable Canape Bench.The units consist of a powder-coated steel frame topped with exotic hardwood timber slats and backrest, providing a spacious bench for a number of users. In order to maintain the appearance of the benches, custom skate deterrents have been integrated into the design. The benches are positioned in rows of three, complementing the new resurfaced space and surrounding architecture. To further improve the space a number of Lucchetto Cycle Stands featuring a sealed Corten and stainless steel finish installed at the end of the new road providing stylish cycle parking. Lucchetto stands have the unique appearance of a padlock creating an original cycle parking offering. The project is part of a larger strategic regeneration of Macclesfield town centre to encourage greater footfall and business to the area. Castle Street was previously an underused space with vehicles having priority. The road has been opened up to the public to move freely and businesses can also apply for an alfresco dining license to expand their seating to the outside.Much of the Bailey Street Furniture Group workforce have been raised in and around Macclesfield, making this project a privilege to be a part of.

Very efficientCould not fault! Outstanding service, communication was excellent too. Good price for a high quality product. First time for me to use this company but won’t be the last, I am a roofer and do a lot of flat roofs where occasionally we need roof windows (which most merchants don’t stock). To sum up- top quality, top service, very efficient and a fair price. Thank you 😊

Peter and Margaret Watling couldn’t be happier with the Stannah Midilift SL platform lift installed in their brand-new designer home in the Devon village of Bishopsteignton. The house has been designed and built to their exact requirements—with the platform lift a hedge-betting essential that will give freedom of movement should the stairs become non-negotiable. It’s called future-proofing and it’s catching on big time with enterprising homeowners and developers alike

Explaining our winch systems to potential customers can be quite a challenge. The problem is, the product has been engineered to be very technical and has mas many design features. It is hard to bring these to life through a conversation or via email.We have teamed up with the talented team at DCS Sonovision to work on a new multi-rope winch system animation.

Setting the benchmark for UK Waste Authorities, North London Heat and Power are creating one of the most advanced Energy Recovery Facilities (ERF’s) in the world. The new EcoPark will turn non-recyclable rubbish into heat and electricity. Operating under strict regulations, the new site will become one of the cleanest and safest ERF’s in the world.Setting the benchmark for UK Waste Authorities, North London Heat and Power are creating one of the most advanced Energy Recovery Facilities (ERF’s) in the world. The new EcoPark will turn non-recyclable rubbish into heat and electricity. Operating under strict regulations, the new site will become one of the cleanest and safest ERF’s in the world.

Part of the Melia Hotels & Resorts Group since 1999, Melia White House is situated in a striking Grade II listed Art Deco building close to London’s Regent’s Park. Following discussions with Camden Planning, the Clement EB24 range of new steel windows with welded G+ multi pane system was installed. In total nearly 800 windows were installed in two phases requiring the Clement team to work to an exacting schedule.

Arwel House, a mid-twentieth-century brick-built house nestled in the Staffordshire countryside, has undergone a remarkable transformation. Originally constructed in the 1950s, the house had lost its charm over the years due to wear and unsightly alterations.Gowercroft products used:Peveril Lift and Slide DoorsMelbourne DoorsHardwick Casement WindowsAccoya®Initially considering demolition, the owners consulted architect Benjamin Machin, who proposed a more sustainable and cost-effective approach. Machin envisioned a retrofit and remodelling process that would highlight the house's character and unique details, re-establishing its connection with the surrounding gardens and agricultural landscape.The interior rooms were refurbished, and a new two-story extension was added to provide additional living and bathroom space. The outdated veranda and sunroom at the front of the property were removed, along with their degraded PVC-u windows and joinery.A striking garden room now graces the south-facing elevation, featuring an imposing white façade that interacts with the shadows cast by nearby trees. Gowercroft Joinery played a pivotal role in this transformation, manufacturing large timber-framed windows and sliding doors for the garden room. White timber-clad columns, reminiscent of the original veranda, complement the overall design.Two covered external spaces adjacent to the garden room serve as pleasant sitting areas, bridging the gap between indoors and outdoors. Gowercroft's oversized timber-framed lift and slide patio doors, French doorsets, and classic casement windows flood the house with natural light. Their slim profiles harmonise with the surrounding materials and colours, seamlessly blending the transition from brick and quarry tiles to stone paving outside.Throughout the project, one set of Peveril lift and slide doors, three Melbourne French doors, and 22 Hardwick casement windows were installed. Manufactured from sustainable Accoya® wood and equipped with energy-efficient double glazing, these windows and doors ensure a comfortable interior environment while requiring minimal maintenance.Thanks to Benjamin Machin's bold design, Arwel House has been revitalised into a contemporary, light-filled, and inviting family home. The transformation has garnered love and appreciation from the entire family, breathing new life into this once tired and unremarkable 1950s house.“Gowercroft’s windows and doors strike the right balance between low maintenance, energy efficiency and innovation and a heritage rooted in traditional joinery and craftsmanship. Their slim profiles have an elegant simplicity with carefully considered sightlines that complement the overall design.”Benjamin Machin

BH2 is a £30m development creating a newly-constructed leisure complex in Bournemouth  •  Originally a two acre NCP car park and bus station, main contractors Vinci has built a new 10 screen Odeon Multiplex cinema, café, casino, restaurant and retail complex.  •  Structura was appointed to design and supply Kalwall translucent facades to enclose the external fire escape routes around the perimeter of the building.  •  Structura installed multiple Kalwall translucent elevations, totalling over 1000m2, providing natural daylight to internal areas by day and a soft ethereal glow which brings the area to life at night.The SolutionPanter Hudspith Architects replaced the original curtain wall and specified Kalwall® for the front elevation. Unusually, this unique translucent cladding is fitted with a tight 150mm wide grid, known as Verti-Kal™, which not only serves to emphasise height but is the first of its type in the UK. On this scheme the Kalwall panels also insulate to 0.78 w/m2 making the building eye-catching and sustainable.Unlike conventional glazing, Kalwall eliminates shadows and glare and the stark contrasts of light and shade. The system also enhances simplicity by eliminating the need for blinds, curtains or solar control. Even on cloudy days, the interior is bathed with natural daylight, which means less artificial lighting and, because Kalwall is highly insulating, energy costs are reduced.Kalwall is increasingly being used in the UK for new buildings and also for the refurbishment of cladding or rooflights on aged buildings. One of the main attractions of specifying Kalwall is its unique effect on both the interior and exterior. Although translucent, it offers the big advantage of privacy while the elevations appear crisp and simple. When illuminated at night they emit an inviting ethereal glow.The CommentsArchitect James Jeremiah comments, “This is the first time we’ve specified Kalwall and it fulfils our vision of retaining the modernist characteristics of the building. One of our original concepts for the building was of a zoetrope (one of the earliest forms of moving image) and there’s a strong history of using transparency in films with people moving behind the shadows. We felt the Kalwall system was a very good fit for what we wanted to achieve”.Amanda Birch, Technical Editor Building Design writes, “To appreciate fully the building’s transformation, it is best viewed from the street. The concrete structure has been retained along with its striking line of concrete columns, which are now a strong feature of the front elevation. The original coloured insulated glass panelled system has been replaced at first and second floor levels with Kalwall’s 75mm thick insulated cladding system creating a dynamic façade that is particularly effective at night.

At 13 storeys high and with a central location that puts the development within easy reach of Glasgow’s main universities, the True Glasgow student accommodation scheme has been designed by KKA Architects. Comprising 315 apartments for both shared and single occupancy, the new True Glasgow scheme on New City Road has been designed to offer inspirational student accommodation. With each apartment offering light and spacious living and study areas, the development also includes an array of exciting communal facilities including a gym and cinema. To balance the scheme’s city centre location, access to greenspaces has been incorporated through the creation of a rooftop garden and a walled courtyard garden at ground level.Specified to provide daylighting and give far-reaching views of the city, Senior’s thermally-efficient SPW600e tilt and turn aluminium windows were installed to the individual apartments. The main façade also benefits from the slim sightlines of Senior’s SF52 aluminium curtain walling, which has been fabricated in a combination of different capping options to create a unique façade design. As a vertical capped option, the slimline curtain wall features a specially designed toggle system which is used horizontally to create externally frameless transoms and to complement the height of the building structure. The SF52 system has also been installed as a completely frameless silicone glazed solution, with additional ventilation achieved via the incorporation of Senior’s frameless SFF aluminium window vents.To complete the fenestration package, Senior’s robust SPW600 aluminium commercial doors have been used to provide safe and secure access.Senior’s supply chain partner and specialist contractor Scottech has fabricated and installed Senior’s aluminium windows, doors and curtain wall solutions for main contractor Ogilvie.

The new office development for the New Gorbals Housing Association in Glasgow features a variety of aluminium fenestration solutions. Together these have helped create a light and airy workspace and an impressive centrepiece for the wider regeneration of the area.Located on Crown Street, the new commercial office building is complemented by a new civic piazza and has been designed by Page & Park Architects. Flexibility and adaptability were key focuses for the overall design, with the incorporation of daylighting and natural ventilation strategies to boost wellbeing, and large glazed facades to better connect the building with the local community.The welcoming main entrance has been created using Senior’s slimline and thermally-enhanced SF52 aluminium curtain wall system and SPW501 aluminium commercial doors. The fenestration package also includes Senior’s SPW600e aluminium windows which were used throughout. The ground floor glazing has been recessed to provide privacy to the internal work spaces whilst complementing the overall ‘open’ design of the scheme. In contrast, the first-floor glazing protrudes slightly to maximise views of the surrounding city. Senior’s products were fabricated and installed by Scottech for main contractor CCG.The office environment includes both large areas for group work and smaller, more private booths and is centred around a large timber-clad atrium. The use of internal and external glazed partitions and windows helps balance the space, providing links with both the other areas of the building and the outside. The fenestration package has also been designed to provide those using the building with multiple aspect views and daylighting, whilst avoiding overheating and glare from the summer sun. To further complement the overall façade design which features dark grey zinc cladding, and to boost the durability of the aluminium frames, the windows, doors and curtain wall systems were powder coated.

Park Heights is a prime project at the forefront of Network Homes’ transformation of the Stockwell Park Estate. Comprising of 159 high-quality apartments with large private balconies, a sky garden and communal terraces across its 20 storeys, Park Heights needed a non-combustible solution for its external spaces to ensure the security of the building and its residents, aligning with recent changes in fire legislation.Project BreakdownThe development is beautifully constructed, infiltrating new life into the surrounding area with light colour schemes, clean lines and contemporary aesthetics. This design was winner of the RIBA London Regional Award in 2017; a scheme that celebrates the best architecture in the UK and around the world. The build also received an award for its design at the National Housing Awards in 2016.The SolutionEnviroBuild provided around 900m² of fire-rated Luxury Italian Porcelain from our Ergo collection for two terraces on this award-winning project, including the rooftop space. Being scratch, stain and fade resistant, our paving was a brilliant addition to the range of resilient materials installed on this build. We additionally supplied complete substructure for balconies across the development.Defined and specified to meet Class A1 and A2 to EN13501-1 standards, our non-combustible paving solutions are fully compatible with the latest developments in fire safety legislation. Using gaskets with adjustable steel pedestals, slip-proof rubber membranes and secure paving spacers, EnviroBuild’s A-Class fire-rated systems meet the needs of a wide variety of both commercial and residential spaces to provide security, strength and adaptability where it is needed most.Project DetailsSize: 900 m²Product: Sand Outdoor Porcelain Paving, Iron Outdoor Porcelain PavingSubstructure: MESA Paving SupportsClient: Network HomesArchitect: PRPLocation: London

Over six years ago, law firm Kingsley Napley considered consolidating its three Clerkenwell offices into a single building. Before committing to do so, the firm first embarked on a programme of partial refurbishments and pilot testing in its existing offices to examine how a transformation from cellular to open plan working might suit their business and its more than 400 employees. Once the decision was made to move, Kingsley Napley collaborated with design specialists KKS Savills and Overbury fit out and refurbishment, along with BPC interiors as sub-contractor, to create an environment which would help enable the company to flourish and meet its aspirations for recruitment, retention and growth. Fast-forward to 2021 and the firm occupies six floors at Twenty Bonhill, Shoreditch.Delivering a best in class workplace Kingsley Napley CFOO Darren Jesse spoke about the project, “I am delighted we have delivered this project, pretty much on time and on budget, despite the challenging circumstances of the last year or so. We had an incredible team working on this internally, and our external advisers… provided superb support for which we are grateful. Together I believe we have delivered a first rate, best in class workplace for Kingsley Napley that will support the firm in its next chapter.” The new space has been designed with collaboration and activity-based working in mind by allowing lawyers and other team members to choose workspaces according to their needs. The guiding aesthetic throughout the six floors is one of hushed self-assuredness with a hint of opulence characterised by classic contemporary furnishings in muted tones, modern art and the use of deep blue and orange on feature walls. In the reception, elegant slim lighting is fixed at a distance from the high ceilings in converging angles while a fully glazed wall lets diffused natural light stream in. The move coincided with a new brand identity incorporating the phrase, ‘when it matters most’ into its communications – words which underpin the role often played by the company in the lives of its clients and informing the values it wants to portray in everything it does.Creating that Wow with added HushBPC Interiors Senior Construction Manager, Stuart Dowling, “We managed the project and instructed Pacy & Wheatley to install Rockfon® Mono® Acoustic throughout the large double-height reception. The Installation went very well and an impressive smooth finish was achieved that even with sunlight or interior lighting shining on it did not show any of the services behind, which can be the case with plasterboard.”Installation specialist Pacy & Wheatley Director Craig Wheatley, “This was a prestigious and exacting project where creating a space to project the perfect first impression was vital. Rockfon Mono Acoustic is unique as it combines the elegance of a monolithic ceiling with performance characteristics and sound absorption thought only possible with modular ceilings. The ceiling tile substrate is installed and then finished with a specialist acoustic render to create a seamless surface.” Beauty and performanceThe system allows for easy incorporation of lighting, audio and other mechanical systems whilst delivering Class A2 fire protection. It also offers dimensionally stability at up to 100% relative humidity and can be installed in temperatures ranging from 0˚C to 40˚C.KKS Savills Associate Director and Senior Designer Paul Butterworth, “Mono was chosen for its appearance but also for its ability to mitigate against the unwanted sound generated by hard surfaces. It delivered clean lines while successfully hiding the services above. We are so pleased to have discovered this beautiful, fabulous product!”Fully recyclable, all our ranges are made from a core of naturally occurring, non-hygroscopic and non-combustible stone wool. Their surfaces provide no sustenance to harmful micro-organisms, embody high humidity resistance and are impervious to most environmental pressures – ensuring that perfect first impression will last.  

Glazing Vision have worked on a number of projects with Architects, ARCHEA, who are Victorian house experts specialising in adapting period houses into modern homes. These homes regularly demand an uplift in natural daylight, and Glazing Vision have formed a great relationship with ARCHEA to help transform many of their projects into well-lit, healthy, and happy environments for a number of families.These particular homes are all located within 10 minutes of each other in Hackney, London, with all clients looking to transform their period property into a contemporary home. Each project involved an extension and required a significant increase in natural daylight to help better the health and wellbeing of the families residing in each home which is where Glazing Vision stepped in.“When adding a ground floor extension, we often need to include rooflights to add light and views both to the new spaces and existing rooms in the home. Whilst fully glazed roofs can be used, this approach typically incurs more cost and extended lead-times due to the glazing being bespoke and needing to be made to order. By using large format, off-the-shelf rooflights we can incorporate extensive areas of glazing, but at a much lower cost and faster turnaround. We then use these in combination with traditional roof construction techniques, which are simple to construct and maintain.” – Richard Skinner, ARCHEA.ARCHEA regularly specify Glazing Vision’s Flushglaze Fixed Rooflight, a minimalist product with ‘frameless’ internal views designed to allow as much natural daylight into a room as possible. When working with pitched roofs, ARCHEA often opt for the Glazing Vision Pitchglaze Fixed Roof Window which is designed to be installed in pitched tiled roof applications flush with the tiling line, providing you with a vast amount of natural daylight.“We initially chose Glazing Vision because of their wide range of high-quality rooflights, and since working with them on a number of projects we value the help of their Technical Sales Team who are always on hand for technical support. We typically use the Flushglaze Fixed units as the extensions we work with usually involve a flat roof for practical and planning reasons and the Flushglaze offers the largest and best value standard glazing solution on the market. The standard aspect is vital for us as we are often looking for short lead times, and so this element adds so much value. When working with pitched roofs we instead use the Pitchglaze Fixed Roof Window which fit flush within the roof offering a sleek finish.” – Richard Skinner, ARCHEA.You can purchase our off the shelf rooflights and roof windows via rooflights.com, our online rooflight shop!Photography: Mai-ling Leung of ARCHEA

The Crouch End Picturehouse in North London is an interesting example of how Kalwall® can be used to convert an ugly 1950’s concrete building into a state-of-the-art space suitable for the 21st Century.  •   This project by Panter Hudspith Architects forms part of a wider initiative within the London suburb of Haringey aiming to re-establish the area as one of London’s cultural and arts centres. The result is a remarkable transformation of a building, originally a factory then an office, into a £4.5 million cinema complete with café, bar, restaurant and community rooms.  •   The unique style of this four-screen cinema has attracted much interest, not only because of the dramatic transformation but also because of its new external elevation. •   The use of Kalwall, coupled with other sustainable measures including solar panels and a green wall, means the picturehouse has achieved a BREEAM rating of Very Good. The Solution Panter Hudspith Architects replaced the original curtain wall and specified Kalwall® for the front elevation. Unusually, this unique translucent cladding is fitted with a tight 150mm wide grid, known as Verti-Kal™, which not only serves to emphasise height but is the first of its type in the UK. On this scheme the Kalwall panels also insulate to 0.78 w/m2 making the building eye-catching and sustainable. Unlike conventional glazing, Kalwall eliminates shadows and glare and the stark contrasts of light and shade. The system also enhances simplicity by eliminating the need for blinds, curtains or solar control. Even on cloudy days, the interior is bathed with natural daylight, which means less artificial lighting and, because Kalwall is highly insulating, energy costs are reduced. Kalwall is increasingly being used in the UK for new buildings and also for the refurbishment of cladding or rooflights on aged buildings. One of the main attractions of specifying Kalwall is its unique effect on both the interior and exterior. Although translucent, it offers the big advantage of privacy while the elevations appear crisp and simple. When illuminated at night they emit an inviting ethereal glow.  The CommentsArchitect James Jeremiah comments, “This is the first time we’ve specified Kalwall and it fulfils our vision of retaining the modernist characteristics of the building. One of our original concepts for the building was of a zoetrope (one of the earliest forms of moving image) and there’s a strong history of using transparency in films with people moving behind the shadows. We felt the Kalwall system was a very good fit for what we wanted to achieve”. Amanda Birch, Technical Editor Building Design writes, “To appreciate fully the building’s transformation, it is best viewed from the street. The concrete structure has been retained along with its striking line of concrete columns, which are now a strong feature of the front elevation. The original coloured insulated glass panelled system has been replaced at first and second floor levels with Kalwall’s 75mm thick insulated cladding system creating a dynamic façade that is particularly effective at night.

Sto has supplied the StoTherm Mineral K external wall insulation system with StoLotusan render for the new Day Case and Eye Unit building at Chorley and South Ribble Hospital. Specified by Gilling Dod architects of Chorley, who worked closely with the main contractor Tilbury Douglas, the StoTherm Mineral K system combines impressive insulation with excellent fire protection characteristics. With an A2-s1, d0 reaction to fire classification in accordance with BS EN 13501-1, the non-combustible mineral fibre insulation is fully bonded to the substrate and therefore no additional firebreaks are required. Ideal for both new-build and refurbishment projects, its efficient single-leaf construction also means that interior space within the building is not reduced.  For this project, the system’s mineral fibre insulation boards were secured to the lightweight steel frame and sheathing board substrate with mechanical fixings and StoLevell Uni adhesive and levelling mortar. A StoLevell Duo Plus reinforcing coat embedded with Sto-Glass Fibre Mesh was then applied to the face of the insulation boards, with StoLotusan and StoSilco renders used for the final finish on different sections of the building, using light colours from Sto’s architectural colour range.  StoLotusan is the only render available that uses Sto’s patented Lotus-Effect® technology which delivers impressive water and dirt repellence. It forms a unique surface texture, similar to that of the lotus leaf, that causes the rainwater to run off the render quickly and easily, removing any dirt or dust as it goes. Providing outstanding resistance to the growth of algae and fungus, the building will retain its looks for many years to come.  The new Day Case and Eye Unit is the result of a major £17.5 million investment in developing enhanced ophthalmology and day case services. The new Day Case and Eye Unit now offers an extensive range of diagnostic and treatment facilities for patients with medical eye conditions.

PROJECT BACKGROUND:As pressure continues to build on the UK’s health service, Conquest Hospital's Emergency Department urgently needed to transform their current staff welfare area with additional space, achievable with a modular extension.The design included a canteen space, toilets, shower rooms, storage areas and lockers for NHS staff.REQUIREMENT:External developments included an accompanying ramp to overcome the exterior door threshold. The works needed to be achieved within a quick turnaround time and with minimal disruption to the daily running of the department.SITE SURVEY & DRAWINGS:We responded rapidly with a site survey soon after the initial enquiry.This project benefitted from the Lidar scanning technology used by our site surveyors.The machine scanned and plotted the heights and widths of the objects in view, including different floor levels.Our in-house designer then created a 3D visual of the ramp on top of the lidar model, ensuring to draw around any obstructions.The final 3D & 2D drawings were after given to the client with their quotation.END RESULT:Once the extension was near completion, the ramp was fitted in an L shape configuration within a day, minimizing disruption.FEATURES INCLUDED:Standard Handrail - this handrail system ensures users always have support to hold onto.Trombone Ends - these are added to the ends of a Rapid Ramp to prevent clothes catching.Mesh Platform - the self-draining mesh allows water to pass through rather than collect on the surface.Powder Coated Finish – rails are coated with thermosetting powder to provide a non-conductive, non-slip and scratch resistant surface.Telescopic Legs - these can be adjusted to accommodate different threshold heights.EXTRA FEATURES INCLUDED:Yellow Powdercoated Handrails – yellow is one of the easiest colours to see because of its ability to reflect light.Yellow Tread - this is a safety feature designed to help those with impaired vision identify the nose of the ramp and any level changes.

Duke Court is a development of 37 affordable homes for rent, built on the site of Fred Styles House, formerly a sheltered housing block, providing 42 bedsits, that had been empty since 2013. The development is part of Royal Borough of Greenwich’s commitment to delivering new high-quality homes and sustainable communities.The new development of 29 houses, 7 flats and 1 maisonette creates a pretty neighbourhood of terraced houses running along Charlton Church Lane, and a series of mews streets which run perpendicular connecting into the urban fabric behind the site. Glazed screens lead into a generous open plan kitchen dining room. Stairs lead up to bedrooms and to a light and airy open plan living room with fully glazed screens leading out onto a secluded sun trap roof terrace.The buildings along Charlton Church Lane alternate in height between two, and three storeys. The houses are built from a beautiful soft and rustic brick that helps ensure that the new homes feel embedded and ‘worn in’ to the surrounding area. The brick selected was Forterra’s Ecostock Belgravia Gault Blend. Its varied tone is important for ensuring the new homes do not feel too monolithic adding visual interest, factors that were integral to reassuring planners that the brick would be sensitive to its surrounding context.Low cost, robust but high quality brick detailing is integral to the project. Traditionally built brick arches front a number of the homes and help create a semi-private space where people can put out pots and plants, wellies and umbrellas etc. Snapped headers create tightly curved external walls where the site requires thinner accommodation. Other brick details include projecting brick surrounds to pop-up windows, arched window heads, soldier and header courses, articulated parapets and beautiful angled window reveals on prominent corners.

The self-build project is situated in the small coastal village of Borth and stands prominent on the cliff overlooking three miles of gently shelving golden sand. The private dwelling offers a breath-taking vantage point for the homeowners achieved by Keystones carefully considered bespoke bow lintel design for a 13.7m curved span panoramic living room window on the upper floor.ChallengeKeystone’s technical team appreciates the importance of personalisation and were tasked with turning the clients dream vision for the family home into a reality. The unique structure would require a continuous irregular lintel to accommodate the variations of internal and external curves above each opening for the perimeter of the living room.The lintel was designed to incorporate the distinct feature window which will add interest to the room and soften the space where light would enter.SolutionKeystone’s technical engineer was tasked with creating a structural steel solution capable of accommodating the curved structure and unusual loading conditions – tailor made to suit the lifestyle requirements of the client.The engineer worked closely with the client to develop the lintel for the complex curved opening and provided comprehensive technical support from design through to installation. This included a site visit to ensure all measurements were accurate with minimal tolerance. For buildability and logistical purposes, the 13.7m bespoke bow lintel was delivered as five separate components and fixed together on site.The innovative and intelligent design fitted and aligned perfectly with the contours of the building and achieved the desired continual curved opening bringing a sense of flow and energy to the room. Keystone lintels also provide special lintels in stainless steel to prevent corrosion in buildings that are subjected to aggressive environmental conditions, typically in coastal locations within 500m of the shoreline.Testimonial“I was unsure if the vision I had for this project was even possible, but Keystone’s team of engineers offered a creative and effective solution, ensuring an incredibly personalised touch to the building.”Lee JenkinsSelf-builder

Products:OS210 Orbis Glass Infill Side & Top FixV511U Vista Extended Laminated Glass Infill U-Profile Top FixContractor: Wynne ConstructionArchitects: TACP Architects – WrexhamIt’s great to yet again be helping the success of the Wrexham Yale College project with our balustrade systems. Delta have been manufacturing and installing balustrades to various phases of Wrexham Yale College over decades and are delighted to continue supplying quality products throughout the ongoing redevelopments.Most recently, we supplied and fitted:130m of Curved Vista Balustrade to the feature stair and voids, specified up to 1.5kNm of loading.160m of Stainless Steel Orbis Glass Infill systems to 5 other staircases throughout the building, including the hall, sports arena, theatre and more.14m of high loading balustrade (3kNm) in the sports hall viewing area.19m of Vista balustrade to the external balcony, 1.5kNm of loading.This new three-storey, 96,000sqft college in Wrexham is to house facilities for catering, creative arts, and sports students along with providing general teaching and IT studios, replacing the elements of the campus’ existing buildings, which will be demolished. The facility will also be home to the National Library of Wales digital archive, where members of the public can access information on Welsh culture and heritage.With construction taking place over the course of the pandemic, Wynne Construction prioritised the health and wellbeing of workers during the build and ensured minimal disruption was felt by students and staff. Additionally, there was a real focus on sustainable technologies in the construction of this building, continuously present through use of natural daylight and natural ventilation within the building – we have reviewed light considerations further in our article disclosing ‘Five Top Tips for Specifying the right Balustrade System‘.The balustrades at Yale College were a very central part of the scheme providing a high quality, contemporary feel enabling maximum daylight to penetrate through the central feature areas particularly.Photo credits: Wynne Construction

For many years there has been significant research into the control and elimination of germs. Repeated outbreaks of MRSA and C Difficile in hospitals has certainly prompted us all to question the methods used to combat germs in our environment.

NV Buildings is one of the most prestigious and iconic residential sites in Greater Manchester.The distinctive sail-shaped buildings are a major landmark in Salford Quays. The blocks have a curved main elevation providing a unique aesthetic on the skyline and are one of the most popular developments in the area.With a prominent location in Salford Quays, adjacent to the Lowry Theatre and Media City TV headquarters, the apartment blocks feature in many iconic photos of the area.The project itself was funded by the Building Safety Fund, the Government’s £4.5 billion fund to remove unsafe non-ACM cladding on residential and mixed-use properties that are 18 metres and over and do not meet building safety regulations.Our Approved Installer QFF Facades were contracted to complete the exterior wall insulation and rendering which upgraded the fire performance of the cladding, ensuring the safety of both the building and residents.Three 15 storey blocks were refurbished, with a safe and thermally efficient façade solution.Our ServiceWe worked in close partnership with QFF Facades throughout the duration of the project.Deliveries and install were strictly monitored and a very systematic approach was followed. A planned install programme was agreed to ensure minimal disruption to the residents of N V Buildings, who remained in their homes while the work was carried out on this prestigious site.We produced a bespoke specification which included various detailing such as soffits, balconies, and full height panels.A partnership approach was vital, as we worked with QFF Facades, Thomasons Consulting engineering, and the fire officer to agree upon and deliver specific detailing at abutments, openings, and for the drained cavity of the façade system.Particular attention to detail was afforded to the drained cavity fire-stops, including fire-stop details between floors, at party walls for each apartment and around openings.As part of our service commitment, our technical team were available to provide hands-on-guidance, offer support, technical guidance and ensure high levels of quality.Technical Project DetailsAfter testing, the existing cladding had been deemed a fire safety risk by experts and therefore needed to be removed and replaced with anon-combustible alternative.The project was a strip-and-refit of a drained cavity external wall insulation system, which included an expanded polystyrene insulation system.Our Approved Installer QFF Facades installed a K Systems Exicco M, Drained Cavity External Wall Insulation System for steel frame buildings, utilising Mineral Wool insulation. This high performing system provides high levels of fire resistance and non-combustibility.The fire classification of the façade for N V Buildings was upgraded to A2-s1, d0 and therefore complies with the latest building regulations, ensuring the safety of its residents.For the finish, high-performance thin coat silicone render (Silicone TC) was specified. Our Silicone TC render has a number of fantastic advantages including ease of application, and its hydrophobic properties make the render low maintenance. Available in a wide range of colours the topcoat finish used on NV Buildings is a light grey to match the original façade, meaning aesthetically the iconic buildings maintained their distinctive design.

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.