Projects & Contracts @ THE GL@ZINE

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Gretsch-Unitas has just completed work on its most unusual entrance system to date – a sliding doors arrangement at the Monkey House in Twycross Zoo.

G-U had been called to the zoo to provide a new entrance system for the Monkey House after a recent renovation. This had involved the building of an extension which provided a new entrance hall to the attraction.

Paul Lewis, sales & marketing manager for the door division, said: 'The main criterion of Twycross was to ensure that the entrance system complemented the stylish design of the new building.

'To meet their requirements we installed a CompactMaster sliding door system featuring two frameless glass doors that had the Twycross Zoo monkey logo etched across the panes of glass – giving the zoo a practical and stylish entrance system.'

The CompactMaster installed by G-U provides architects with a user friendly and energy efficient bi-parting sliding door. The frameless glass system and compact and slim design gives the zoo an elegant and modern entrance.

An added benefit of the CompactMaster is the slim design of the drive unit. This has a vertical dimension of only 100mm, which allows the unit to easily fit into the architecture of the monkey house.

G-U’s automatic entrance systems and doors includes sliding doors, swing doors, revolving doors, security and access control doors and all glass systems. These provide a wide range of access solutions such as DDA and fire regulation compliance including use in historical and listed buildings.

The automatic door side of G-U has seen demand increase greatly in 2007 and Twycross Zoo is one of the latest in a long line of projects.

Detailed information about G-U products is available at the company’s website http://www.g-u.co.uk or by contacting G-U direct on 02476 217 900.

'Better than brilliant!’ That is the verdict of Mike Newbold, station manager at the Coastwatch Ingoldmells Point Station after the installation of new windows using the Pilkington Activ™ self-cleaning glass.

The National Coastwatch Institution is a voluntary organisation set up in 1994 to restore a visual watch along the shores of the UK. The Ingoldmells Point station in Skegness was set up over two years ago, and recently the decision was taken to upgrade the windows. Both the Pilkington Activ™ glass from Uniglaze2 and the supply and installation of the completed windows from Ambassador were donated free of charge.

'The use of Pilkington Activ™ has made a huge difference,’ says Tony Smith of Pilkington. 'The product has completely changed the way that the volunteers work, particularly in wet weather, as the self-cleaning properties of the Pilkington Activ™ glass enable far greater visibility.’

Pilkington Activ™ glass works by breaking down organic dirt particles on the surface of the glass. The specially developed coating is hydrophilic, which causes rain and any water for that matter, including spray from the sea, to sheet rather than form beads, thus washing the loosened dirt (both organic & inorganic) away, reducing streaking. Compared to conventional glass, the water dries quickly, providing a clearer view immediately after rainfall.

The Ingoldmells Point crew has already saved 16 lives over the past two years and the installation of Pilkington Activ™ has significantly facilitated visibility out to sea, and at the same time, is saving valuable time previously spent cleaning the glass. ‘We are delighted to have supplied the Pilkington Activ™ glass to such a worthy and lifesaving cause,’ says John Kadzionis of Uniglaze2.

‘It goes to prove that whatever the application and wherever the location, when it comes to practical solutions for self-cleaning glass, Pilkington Activ™ has the clear answer!’

Web: http://www.pilkington.com

The light is shining on the new mothers at Lincoln County Hospital where a replacement window scheme has included the installation of Pilkington Activ™ self-cleaning glass.

The five-storey maternity block at the hospital is undergoing a rolling programme to eventually replace all of the existing timber pivot windows with Kawneer 601 Series aluminium frames with top hung opening lights. So far, around 30% of the project has been completed, with the windows fabricated, supplied and installed by Lincolnshire Architectural Glazing (LAG), using IGUs supplied by Uniglaze2 of Norfolk.

‘We initially contacted Uniglaze2 and they produced a detailed sheet of what was required, which included Pilkington Activ™ glass,’ comments Gerald Audis of LAG. ‘The self-cleaning properties of the glass were an essential element in the specification, as the size of the hospital made it very difficult in terms of access to constantly ensure that the windows were regularly cleaned. There was also the cost consideration of cleaning such a large amount of windows. Pilkington Activ(tm) offered the ideal solution.’

Pilkington Activ™ has a very simple but very effective method of working. Organic dirt particles on the surface of the glass are broken down. The specially developed hydrophilic coating causes rainwater to sheet rather than form beads, thus washing the surface of the glass removing loosened dirt (both organic & inorganic) and reducing the amount of streaking. The coating breaks down and loosens dirt that has settled on the glass, ensuring that rainwater covers the surface evenly.

‘The benefits of Pilkington Activ™ are being increasingly recognised by the public sector as the properties of the glass make it the ideal solution for large buildings such as the Lincoln Hospital,’ says Julia Berkin, marketing and communications manager of Pilkington Building Products UK. ‘This product is proving itself to be one of the most important innovations to be presented to the construction industry in the last few years, with more and more people automatically specifying the glass for their projects.’

The hospital is run and managed by United Lincolnshire Hospitals NHS Trust, one of the largest in the country, running eight hospitals. The replacement window programme is due to be completed on time, with Pilkington Activ™ playing a major role in the proceedings, saving the Trust time and money in the long run.

Web: http://www.pilkington.com

Fabricator frameXpress Ltd recently supplied all the replacement products for an unusual project in Lambeth. In a contract worth in excess of £300,000 the versatility of frameXpress production departments was required for 68 dwellings.

Aluseal Ltd, based in Milton Keynes, needed to install specially sized doors, windows and safety doors in a large care home located in the London borough. Clever design solutions were required also for the various large sized doors and door frames in the communal area where all windows and doors needed specially extended handles. The entire installation is in white pvc-u with special consideration having been needed for disabled access.

As the installation schedule was exceedingly tight, it was vital that the order had to be manufactured accurately and that it was delivered on time.

Dave Brown, Managing Director at Aluseal has used frameXpress for three years on all installation projects. Aluseal has seen steady growth since it began trading in 2003 and staff at the company pride themselves on the reliable service given to customers. Working predominantly for local authorities including Islington, Ealing, Lambeth and Brent as well as schools, commercial contracts and housing association projects, Aluseal has developed an impressive reputation as a reliable installation company.

More recently the company has expanded its services and has a number of large contracts already in place for throughout 2007.

Dave Brown comments, ‘One of the main reasons for returning to frameXpress is that we know we can rely upon the quality of the products supplied. The support service and technical advice is exceptional and the company will deliver promptly on-site, 3 times per week if needed. This is a team I know I can always rely upon for help should I need it.’

He continues, ‘This business sector can be aggressive and it is always important to know that the products are reliable. With the standards available from frameXpress I can be confident that my customers have systems installed that are dependable and secure.’

frameXpress is well recognised for offering customers more than just basic products, with a technical support service that is unmatched. Any procedural queries are quickly resolved by a flexible and highly trained team who provide professional solutions in order to support customers business needs. This is considered a critical element to developing strong business relations.

Mark Westbrook comments, ‘At frameXpress we pride ourselves on providing superior standards for our customers, ensuring that quality and service remain a priority. It is always reassuring to know that the management at Aluseal have such great confidence in the frameXpress team as a whole.’

Tel: 01952 581100
Web: http://www.framexpress.co.uk

Sheerframe fabricator and installer Asset Manufacturing Ltd has completed a major window replacement project in partnership with Wates Living Space, involving more than 500 homes at Ebury Bridge in the London Borough of Westminster.

Asset Manufacturing Ltd has manufactured and installed more than 700 Sheerframe windows in two six-storey flat developments. The window replacement at Ebury Bridge is part of CityWest Homes' Decent Homes and Improvement Programme, which will renovate all properties in line with the government initiative to provide residents with an improved standard of living.

Wates' Mick Worrell says, ‘We have an excellent working relationship with Asset Manufacturing Ltd and we were totally confident from the outset that the company would provide a professional installation with minimum disruption to residents. The new windows modernise the properties in many ways, offering residents improved thermal efficiency, aesthetics, security and weatherproofing. With the property's close proximity to the main railway line into Victoria Station, it was also crucial that the windows met strict decibel requirements.'

‘Our client CityWest Homes is very pleased with the installation and it has received excellent satisfaction scores from the residents who have benefited from the new windows.’

Asset installed a variety of window styles including Sheerframe PVC internally beaded casements, vertical sliding sashes and tilt and turn windows. All Sheerframe windows feature multiple chambers for improved thermal performance and deliver a proven long, low maintenance service life.

Mike Gaskell, Asset's Commercial Sales Director says, ‘Providing our client with sustainable, quality products combined with value for money is essential. The Sheerframe systems we use offer optimum sustainability with first rate aesthetics, giving top performing windows which meet the high standards of Wates Living Space and CityWest Homes.’

Web: http://www.asset-windows.co.uk

Walker Troup Architects specified the full Kawneer range of curtain walling, windows and doors for a client's flagship development on a landmark site in inner city Birmingham because 'it was imperative that high-quality products were utilised'.

Kawneer's curtain walling with 50mm sightlines was complemented with AA®601 casement and AA®603 tilturn and French casement windows as well as 190 narrow-style doors for a Modern Methods of Construction (MMC) project by Bullock Construction for Optima Community Housing Association.

The £7million affordable housing development, Woodview, on Stone Road in Birmingham, comprises 77 one- to three-bedroomed apartments split into three blocks - one containing 30 apartments for shared ownership and two blocks of 23 and 24 units for rent.

Developed between Optima and Bullock under a Partnering Contract to which Walker Troup, the structural engineers and the client's representative are all signatories, the 4,350m2 site is due for completion in August 2007 after 18 months.

The seven-storey building is being constructed using a wall frame system which involves the off-site manufacture of large reinforced concrete wall and floor panels. The panels form the inner skin of the external walls, floors and all internal walls including stairs and lift towers.

Clad externally in traditional brickwork with large areas of glazed curtain walling and a standing seam aluminium roof, materials were specified to meet stringent acoustic requirements due to the site's proximity to the six-lane dual carriageway A38 arterial route into Birmingham - the site had formerly been used to facilitate an underpass.

The brief developed as part of the Attwood Green redevelopment plan over 18 months from a much smaller building over three storeys. However, extensive remediation works were required and the brief was extended to provide between four and seven storeys.

Simon Oakley of Walker Troup said: 'A high quality of design was expected by both the client and the city council planning department. The design was developed in close partnership with our client, Bullock Construction, local residents and the city council over 12 months and the proposals were extremely well received by the council when the planning application was finally lodged.'

He added: ‘We initially specified Kawneer as our preferred curtain walling and aluminium window system as our practice had utilised their products previously and it was imperative on a building which was to be a flagship for our client that high-quality products were utilised, especially as the building is seven storeys in part.
'The planning department was extremely keen that an aluminium window/curtain walling system was utilised rather than the PVCU which had been considered previously by Optima. This not only allowed slimmer sections to be utilised but also larger windows, consideration had to be given for cleaning even at the higher levels.'

In addition, discussions took place at an early stage with both Kawneer, the company’s approved installer Aluminium Sashes and Pilkington's to ascertain various glazing specifications to achieve the acoustic and thermal performance which was an intrinsic part of the overall design of these elements of the building.

'The Kawneer system has to date worked extremely well as part of the overall building fabric. All parties are extremely happy with the current status and quality of the Kawneer system being installed,' said Mr Oakley.

'We are obviously aware of Kawneer as one of the market leaders in this particular sector and were extremely keen that a high-quality product was utilised from inception. This was recognised by both the client and the constructor partner.'

A prestigious development of new five bedroom homes in St Albans has been completed using high performance Sheerframe PVC windows from L.B. Plastics.

The Swinley Gate development of six executive family homes by Allen Developments is designed in keeping with local architectural styles, but with individual features incorporated into each of the properties. The combination of high specification fixtures, fittings and components and desirable location ensured all homes sold in a short period at market values of between £650,000 and £1,500,000.

Providing the complete glazing solution for the development, L.B. Plastics delivered a combination of window styles to meet the aesthetic requirements of the architects and local planners. This involved fabricating and installing Sheerframe vertically sliding sashes for many of the front, public view elevations of the homes, with traditional casements for the sides and rear of the properties.

Sheerframe windows are used extensively in the newbuild sector and can be designed and fabricated to achieve the sought-after A, B and C ratings under the new BFRC Window Energy Ratings Scheme. This provides a highly marketable benefit in today's more environmentally-conscious housing market and allows house builders to pick up points in the energy performance category of the Code for Sustainable Homes.

Des Allen, Managing Director of Allen Developments says, 'With high-end properties of this type, we cannot overlook any aspects of quality in the elements and components we use. Window selection is extremely important and this is why we chose Sheerframe to deliver windows that met our aesthetic demands without compromising the creation of energy efficient, low maintenance homes.'

http://www.sheernews.co.uk

The ‘Palazzo Tendenza’, the shopping wing of the NET Center in Padova, Italy, now boasts the country’s tallest fin-supported glazing system, thanks to the installation of the latest glass technology from Pilkington.

Architect Aurelio Galfetti used more than 730m2 of Pilkington Planar™ with Pilkington Optiwhite™ in two adjoining 18m tall façades, allowing natural light to flood through the building, and providing a clear and uninterrupted striking glass frontage.

The glazing system seamlessly connects the interior of the ‘Palazzo Tendenza’ with the outside world, creating an uplifting environment for shoppers to enjoy. In addition, the crystal clarity of the glass ensures that cars in the Mercedes showroom in Palazzo Tendenza are shown off to their full potential. Pilkington Planarä glazing systems are always sold as a complete structural solution, a deciding factor in its specification for this project.

SOMEC engineer Antonio Altoe who was responsible for the construction of the envelopes of the project, commented: 'SOMEC is dedicated to the design, delivery and installation of complete building envelopes. The Pilkington Planarä glazing system came highly recommended as a single glass system with glass fins that would enhance transparency.'

The world's leading structural glass system, Pilkington Planar™ opens up vast possibilities for architects, allowing them to create a complete glass envelope for buildings with frameless façades on any plane. The fabrication and design of the product is carried out in the company’s IS0 9000 certified manufacturing facility in St. Helens, a further guarantee of the products quality assurance.

The NET Center, designed by the Swiss Architect Aurelio Galfetti for Edilbasso Group, has taken 18 months to complete and has grown into a modern and multifunctional complex that features accommodation, offices and retail stores.

For further details on Pilkington Planar™ please see the website at www.pilkington.co.uk/planar.

The refurbishment of the external envelope of an imposing, 2-storey office building on the Stockley Park East Estate near Heathrow Airport included the supply and installation by Structura UK Ltd of curtain walling, glass panels and doors.

Structura's work was part of a challenging, £12million, 52-week reconfiguration of the building to a design by EPR Architects Ltd to create substantially more floor space and provide a newly modelled, triple-height entrance foyer.

On the main front elevation, Structura manufactured and installed clear, toughened glass panels, opaque spandrels, specially-shaped opaque panels at high level and two, separate, single doors located either side of the building's main revolving door which was refurbished and overhauled by the company.

In other areas, plant room louvre panels were removed and replaced by curtain wall screens incorporating special, dot-matrix pattern glass units to match existing. High level glass doors by Structura serve four external staircases, and a new rear entrance to the building consists of double doors and panel frames manufactured by Structura.

In addition, Structura supplied notched panel frames to accommodate the staircases, and two internal glass screens and face caps. Complete cleaning of all external surfaces was undertaken by Structura.

The main contractor was Chorus Interiors Ltd. The client is Exemplar Properties LLP.

Tel: 020 8397 4361.
Email: mail@structura.co.uk
Web: http://www.structura-uk.com

The refurbishment and conversion of a former care home into a luxury apartment development in Buckinghamshire has featured the inclusion of almost 300 replacement steel windows - many of them displaying complex frame shapes - supplied by a member of the Steel Window Association.

The challenging fenestration contract at Pond House was carried out for Status Property Group Ltd/Hampden Homes (Two) Ltd by north London-based Steel Window Service and Supplies.

The work involved the production and installation of 294 EB14 double glazed windows in more than 130 different sizes and styles. Some 20 per cent of the windows featured curved heads while three of the custom built windows are actually curved on plan to fit into an oak framed radiused opening. And while many of the frames were fixed into existing or replacement hardwood and soft timber sub-frames, some of the windows had to be installed direct into stonework reveals.

In keeping with the Tudor style architecture of the property, all the windows feature face applied patterned lead lights with the 14 mm thick sealed units in weather stripped frames offering far better thermal performance than the single glazed originals.

A spokesperson for Hampden Homes/Status Homes commented: ‘Although this is not a listed building, the site dates back to the 1600's and the planners wanted us to maintain the appearance of the original structure and respect the architecture of the surrounding area. Steel Window Services has installed a large variety of windows on the contract and everyone is pleased with the finished appearance.’

All of the steel window frames are hot dip galvanized and finished in a black polyester powder coat to offer optimum life expectancy while reducing the need for on-site decoration.

For more information on modern steel windows, call the Steel Window Association on 020 7637 3571, e-mail info@steel-window-association.co.uk of look at http://www.steel-window-association.co.uk.

The developer of an outstanding new build country home in the sought-after private Crown Estate, Oxshott, Surrey, has used windows and French doorsets by Mumford & Wood Ltd.

The six-bedroom property, which has a games room, cinema and gym complex, is enhanced with the use of luxurious natural materials such as Portland stone, Brazilian slate, Italian limestone and extensive use of premium quality natural timber for floors, storage systems, doors and windows.

Mumford & Wood, creator of timber windows and doors with over 50 years manufacturing expertise, has supplied a combination of traditional sash windows, casements and doorsets which contribute to the elegance and charm of this architecturally designed country home. Here traditional aesthetics are complemented with modern design and technical performance in synergy with Mumford & Wood’s bespoke products.

'We use only premium quality laminated timber with superior, traditionally researched designs that are made to order with a choice of moulded sections and sash profiles,' says Chris Wood, Sales & Marketing Director, Mumford & Wood Ltd. 'Our fully factory finished, double glazed products achieve the highest possible thermal performance levels while our finishing uses only eco-friendly water-based paints and stains that offer extended life and reduced maintenance cycles.'

Mumford & Wood also delivers five-star technical support and after-sales service to ensure total customer satisfaction from design stage to project completion. A Member of the British Woodworking Federation’s Timber Window Accreditation Scheme, and recent achiever of ISO14001 certification, Mumford & Wood says that it is a leader in the promotion of the many benefits of modern timber windows and is proud of the company's green environmental credentials.

Tel: 01621 818155
Web: http://www.mumfordwood.com

GEZE Makes the Grade

The supplier of door and window control systems GEZE UK has chalked up another success with a combination of automatic and manual door closing solutions at the state of the art Usworth Sixth Form College in Sunderland, Tyne and Wear.

Specialist curtain wall fabricator Topside Ltd chose GEZE's Slimdrive SC automatic door for the college entrance while architectural ironmonger Laidlaw Solutions at Gateshead specified GEZE's reliable TS 2000 door closers for the interior doors. Both products were selected for their versatility and quality, essential in the demanding college environment.

The main objectives for the build were to maximise energy efficiency and minimise lifetime costs, as well as create an attractive environment for students and teachers while complying with regulations. GEZE UK was therefore the perfect choice to deliver manual and automatic door closers that could enhance the design and facilitate the efficient movement of students during busy class changes. Meeting the demands of aesthetics and functionality, the TS 2000 is also CERTIFIRE approved (CF 252), making it suitable for use on fire doors.

With a height of just 7cm, the Slimdrive SC was the ideal product to be fitted as inconspicuously as possible, enhancing the overall appearance of the front entrance. The draught proofing provided by GEZE's automatic door contributed to the energy efficiency of the building whilst maintaining a smooth flow of students and teachers in and out of the college at peak periods.

GEZE's UK sales and marketing director, Jules Quested-Williams said: 'It was great to work with Topside on this cutting-edge project. The busy college environment is a very tough one for all fixtures and fittings and with ongoing maintenance and durability as key demands, it was pleasing that GEZE's products were the first choice, in terms of reliability and quality.'

Jules continued 'We really value our long-standing relationship with Laidlaw Solutions and Usworth College is the latest in a long line of projects where we have worked together. With some GEZE's closers included in their own brochure, we're delighted to be associated with such a successful and forward-looking company.'

Managing Director of the Architectural Ironmongery division at Laidlaw Solutions Peter O'Brien said: 'GEZE door closers were the natural choice for this project, as they offered all the appropriate efficiencies and were fit for purpose. By working in partnership with GEZE who are a core range supplier to us, we are able to offer customers a broad choice of reliable, stylish closers with technical service and support second to none.'

Topside's managing director Ian Hutchinson said 'The demands of the project team meant we needed an aesthetic, robust and energy efficient solution for the main entrance of this project, and GEZE UK met these requirements perfectly.'

The £7.5m project, designed by Dewjoc Architects and built by Balfour Beatty Construction, won the 2006 Public Sector Building of the Year Landmark Award and is a light, bright, learning environment for over 1,000 students between the ages of 16 and 19. The three-storey building is fully equipped with modern classrooms and science laboratories, a Learning Resource Centre, a lecture theatre and glass-topped social areas for the students.

Web: http://www.geze-uk.com

HOPPE Helps Improve Dental Institute at Kings College Hospital

Taylor & Jarvis Architectural Ironmongery Ltd supplied 250 pairs of HOPPE silver satin handles and door accessories to the dental institute at Kings College Hospital in London, which was recently refurbished.

The work was conducted over a year in six phases and all hardware had to meet the requirements of the Disability Discrimination Act.

Mark Jarvis, Partner of Taylor & Jarvis, states:

‘HOPPE has supplied us with hardware for over 14 years and it makes up around 80% of our business. We specify HOPPE because the products conform to all standards, which is particularly important when working on buildings such as hospitals.

'We buy all our aluminium and stainless steel locks, closures, handles and ELFA shelving from HOPPE. The overall service we receive with HOPPE is continually excellent.’

Tel: 01902 484400
Web: http://www.hoppe.co.uk

The Victorian Sash Company in Cheshire restored 22 timber windows on a semi-detached listed property in Lymm with £1,000 worth of Mighton's stackable weights. These recently launched stackable weights are pre-cut to make adjustments easier, and can be used in any combination to correctly balance a sash window regardless of its size. Forty pound lead weights were used on each side of every window in the restoration project.

Darren Synclair, Joint Owner of Victorian Sash Co states: ‘Anyone who refurbishes traditional sash windows knows how difficult storing and transporting sash weights can be. These pre-cut weights help to correctly balance every window, regardless of its size. We wanted to reinstate the windows to their former glory by putting sashes that work back in and exposing some timber whilst maintaining as modern a feel as possible. We use stackable lead weights because they are much easier to handle, are more compact, and still provide ease of movement.’

Tel: 01223 497097
Email: sales@mighton.co.uk
Web: http://www.mightonproducts.com