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The
latest stage in the regeneration of historic Baxter Park in the centre
of Dundee has recently been completed. A stunning glass walled pavilion
has been built that uses the Pilkington
Planar Triple system from Pilkington Architectural.
Baxter
Park has been awarded £3.25m by the Heritage Lottery Fund with further
funding of £262,000 from Historic Scotland and a fund award from
Dundee City Council.
The aim is to restore the park to its former glory for 21st Century use.
In its Victorian heyday Baxters Park was considered one of the finest
examples of urban planning, fusing open space with stunning architecture,
with the centrepiece being a pavilion, a listed building of architectural
and historical significance.
Named after the park's benefactor, the renowned jute mill owner, Sir David
Baxter, the park initially opened in 1863 and today still represents an
important part of the city's cultural heritage. The park was the vision
of Sir Joseph Paxton, considered the greatest park designer of the Victorian
age who was also responsible for the Crystal Palace.
Dundee City Council is responsible for the current restoration with the
new pavilion pivotal to the success of project. The primary objective
for the new pavilion was to introduce a new pavilion for public use and
to maximise the fantastic surroundings of Baxters Park.
Architect Gordon Stephen, from Dundee City Council's Architectural Services
comments: 'Not only did we have to provide a sympathetic design that complemented
the park surroundings, but spatial considerations were really important.
We did not want to build walls within the park and the landscape is there
to be enjoyed. Therefore we wanted to create an outdoor feel indoors and
the glass enabled us to achieve that. The next step was to use a glass
of great architectural merit, but also a tough, vigorous system that complied
with Scottish legislative requirements. After some research, we found
that the Pilkington Planar Triple system fitted the bill perfectly.'
With accessibility a key consideration in the design, the use of Pilkington
Planar Triple allowed for greater transparency due to the increased vision
areas and allowed for a seamless transition into the exterior environment.
It is enclosed yet airy.
Merrill Smith, Leisure and Arts Development Manager of Dundee City Council,
adds: 'While the aesthetics were crucial, the pavilion performs an important
public role and it is used for public events, meetings and other activities.
Therefore the functional aspect of the glass system was of equal importance.
The triple glazed system offered enhanced structural durability and achieved
an improved thermal insulation performance.'
Specialist glass contractors, Charles Henshaw and Sons, had the challenging
job of installing the glazing system and Jerry Almond, Commercial Sales
Manager for Pilkington Planar and Fire Screens, from the company comments:
'This was an exciting and unusual project for us, but one that was extremely
satisfying. The use of Pilkington Planar Triple has created a really stunning
building. With the walls constructed entirely from glass, the issue of
heat retention and heat loss was of critical importance and the degree
of environmental control offered by Pilkington Planar Triple provided
the perfect solution.'
Further information can be obtained via the Pilkington website http://www.pilkington.com/planar
or by calling the Pilkington Helpline on 01744 692000.
A
spectacular glass partition in a Liverpool hotel has eliminated the problem
of finger marks and other forms of contamination spoiling its pristine
look through the use of Ritec’s
ClearShield Sandblast Protect treatment. The glass, which divides the
bar and restaurant, was a joint collaboration between Daedalian Glass
and architect Basia Chlebik.
The
Hope Street Hotel in the centre of the city describes itself as Liverpool’s
first boutique hotel. As well as separating the bar from the restaurant,
the partition is also an artistic and visually exciting piece of artwork.
The project consists of 10 panels of 15mm shaped and toughened glass set
at angles. On one side is a sandblasted design, treated with ClearShield
Sandblast Protect, while the other has fused irridised glass with dichroic
pieces and white stringers bonded to it. The panels are 3500mm high and
have hidden fixings.
Christopher Walmsley, Marketing Manager of Daedalian Glass, says, ‘Sandblasted
glass without ClearShield Sandblast Protect soon becomes finger-marked
and is very difficult to clean. ClearShield Sandblast Protect eliminates
this problem and also gives the sandblasted surface a more satin finish
which is more attractive.’
This very low maintenance solution was particularly appealing for the
Hope Street Hotel project. ClearShield Sandblast Protect is applied to
the glass in the factory, and once cured, any residue is simply cleaned
off, leaving the surface protected and easier to clean without the need
for harsh chemicals.
ClearShield Sandblast Protect is a specialist version of Ritec’s
ClearShield System, developed for protecting sandblasted glass or glass
with abrasively-etched decoration. It is based on the company’s proven
polymer technology enhanced with a new and more active catalyst for even
higher resistance to corrosion and staining.
With ClearShield Sandblast Protect, the surface is chemically non-reactive,
so dirt builds up more slowly and will not stick to it. This converts
it to Low-M (Low Maintenance) Glass® – on average cutting cleaning
frequency by half – and it retains its visual appeal for much longer.
Christopher says that he was also very pleased with the Ritec back up
service. 'It was excellent – easy to order and dispatched the same
day. Any problems or spare parts for the applicator would be sorted by
the next day.'
Daedalian was established in 1986, and has practical experience of designing,
manufacturing and installing decorative glass throughout the UK and Europe.
Managing Director Davia Walmsley says, ‘We have our own comprehensive
glass working machinery and kilns resulting in almost all the manufacturing
processes being in-house. This facility gives us good control of both
quality and timescales.’
And when using ClearShield Sandblast Protect combined with Ritec’s
recommended after-care programme, sandblasted glass can look and perform
like new for years to come.
Tel: 020 8344 8210
Web: http://www.ritec.co.uk
Expresso
Brown Provides the Perfect Match
A
new extension at Christchurch High School, Ashford, Kent has been completed
with an unusual 'stepped' fascia and soffit from Celuform.
The
roofline on the original buildings is stained timber. To ensure the new
construction would blend in with the original, the architect decided to
specify Celuform's low maintenance Expresso Brown PVC-ue fascia and soffit
boards.
The overlapping roofline design is also a feature of the main buildings
and it has been replicated on the new extension.
The Expresso Brown finish now comes with a 15-year guarantee against defects
and discoloration. It is available on a large selection of Celuform's
best selling roofline and cladding profiles, including Open V-Joint, Elite,
Conquest and multi-purpose board.
Developed by Dupont for the aerospace industry, the PVF foil, which is
bonded to the surface of the board, is designed to withstand extremes
of temperature variation and ultra violet light exposure. These properties
are vital where large areas of PVC are subjected to weathering such, as
on the cladding of buildings.
The foil is exclusive to Celuform and is the highest specification product
of its kind available in the UK.
Because Expresso Brown is available for the Conquest fascia system, as
well as Open V-Joint cladding, the whole frontage of a property can be
clad in matching dark brown roofline and weatherboarding.
Celuform offers a wide range of foiled and coloured profiles that are
guaranteed against fading and changes in colour.
Celuform supplies stockists throughout the UK and Europe.
Tel: 01622 719199
Web: http://www.celuform.co.uk
Anglian
Films Reduce Glare by 57% at the Centre of the World’s Largest Conservation
Project
Solar
control film manufactured by Anglian Technical
Window Films and fitted by MVM Films of Fareham, Hampshire
is helping to shield visitors from exposure to UV rays and solar glare
at the Millennium Seed Bank building in Wakehurst Place, West Sussex.
The landmark building – which houses the largest conservation project
of its kind in the world – now benefits from 57% glare reduction
and 98% UV filtering in its central atrium.
The
Millennium Seed Bank Project is an international collaborative plant conservation
initiative, the main aim of which is to safeguard around 24,000 plant
species from around the world against extinction. Officially opened by
the Prince of Wales in November 2000, the centre is run by teams from
the Royal Botanic Gardens at Kew and has already secured the future of
virtually all the UK’s native flowering plants. The main building
houses both science facilities and the underground Seedbank. The central
atrium provides public access to the project and attracts around 250,000
visitors per annum. It was felt by the management at the Seed Bank that
the glazed atrium could benefit from reduced penetration of ultraviolet
light and visible glare from the sun.
Sussex based engineering consultancy Posford Haskoning, appointed to the
task, contacted Anglian Technical Window Films to provide the best solution.
The advanced manufacturing processes used in the production of Anglian
film allowed both issues to be resolved in a single product: HP Natural
35. This solar control film offers high levels of visibility yet also
provides 57% glare reduction and 98% UV filtering. Installation of the
film was co-ordinated by MVM Films, who worked closely with Posford Haskoning
to ensure that the 190m2 fitting schedule ran smoothly.
Tel: 01603 420574
Worshippers
See the Light with High-Tech Solution for Classical Glass
Churchgoers
in Standish, Lancashire, can enjoy their century-old stained glass windows
with all the warmth and comfort of modern technology – thanks to
a piece of teamwork by two Network Veka
members and a local stained glass specialist.
Bolton-based installer Allan Lever and profile bender Radius Plastics
of St Helen’s worked with Design Lights of nearby Blackrod to refit
Standish Methodist Church’s original 108-year-old windows, sandwiched
inside double-glazed units with PVC-U arched frames.
‘The result is superb,’ said Churchwarden Barry Dobson, ‘They
have kept all of the original appearance, even with openers, but they
are much warmer and give better security as well as being easier to clean
and helping to protect the original glass.’
Allan Lever is earning a growing niche of business from many other churches
around the North West. Another recent achievement was St Clement’s
Vicarage, Higher Openshaw, which he restored to its Georgian glory from
a 1940s ‘modernisation’ using an old photo of the original.
For further information, please contact:
John Ogilvie, Network Veka, 01282 473170
Allan Lever 01204 398833
Glowing
References for Sheerframe at the Seaside
A
new installation of Sheerframe windows
on Blackpool's famous sea front is literally glowing in the sun thanks
to a special bronze foil.
The
red/bronze renolit film was applied to the Sheerframe System 7000 casement
windows in order to sympathetically match the original features of the
building, as well as those of the surrounding area. The 1920's building
is four storeys high, has over 300 windows and is in commercial usage.
Local company Horizon Windows made the installation. Director John Moorcroft
commented, 'The windows we removed were in a terrible state, and were
not even that old. The strong winds and moisture coming off the sea had
caused the existing steel frames to rust and corrode, making the building
not only draughty and unpleasant to be in, but unsightly as well. PVC
was the obvious answer to the corrosion problems, and has also provided
increased thermal efficiency.'
Although not listed, the building is in an area that the local council
is keen to maintain in its original style. Timber or metal windows would
not have been able to withstand the highly corrosive environment and white
PVC would not have maintained the Art Deco style of the building, so the
coloured film was added to give the windows the look of metal but without
any of the associated problems.
Sheerframe windows are available with a variety of coloured foils designed
to give planners and architects maximum choice and to allow them to specify
PVC where previously only timber or metal would have been acceptable.
Tipped
by property experts as Manchester’s latest hotspot is the new MM2
apartment and retail complex on the thriving Ancoats development.
Fabricators
Acorn Aluminium have manufactured and installed a range of Senior
Aluminium Systems (SAS) products, including a specific integrated
transom that was extruded specially for the architect, into the stylish
new build.
Featured over four storeys are SAS’ SX 200 high performance, lightweight
window system. The windows are thermally broken and double glazed and
were specified to be top hung and fixed light.
SCW curtain wall is also utilised in the new build. Its thermally broken,
compartment drained, box section profiles were fabricated to form faceted
and angled facades. SFG ground floor treatment incorporating SD doors
were also specified. All were polyester powder coated in a smoky grey
shade.
A landmark luxury complex, the MM2 comprises 92 apartments on the upper
levels and retail units on the ground floor. It is surrounded by imposing
Georgian mills and built around a central landscaped courtyard overlooking
the Rochdale Canal, representing a subtle blend of modernity and elegance
that is harmonious with its historic environment.
Independently owned, Senior Aluminium Systems offers a one-stop aluminium
and powder coating service for the architectural aluminium glazing market.
Providing high performance glazing products with a responsive and personal
service, SAS operates from three service centres in Denaby Main, Newport
and Livingston.
Tel: 01709 772600
Dow
Corning Sealants Meet High Tech Spec in Frankfurt
Dow
Corning
silicone sealants have met a challenging array of aesthetic, environmental
and technical requirements for the demanding glass façade of a
new high-tech business centre in Frankfurt. As well as helping to fulfil
the architects' specific requirements for the visual impact of the Main
Airport Center's (MAC) façade glazing, Dow Corning sealants have
enabled the argon-filled Insulated Glazing (IG) units to meet the stringent
environmental demands of EN 1279.
MAC
is a state-of-the-art, multi-purpose business centre located next to Frankfurt
International Airport. It has been designed by architects ABB / Architekbüro
Welbergen to fit in perfectly with its surroundings - the three wings
of the development echo the contours of an aircraft. The 20,000m2 glass
façade affords extensive views out over the surrounding forest,
reflects the arboreal ambience into the office space, and creates a fluid
transition between the building and its environment.
Construction began on the eleven-story structure at the end of 2001 and
was completed in Spring 2004. 51,000 m2 of grade-A office space in a multiplicity
of layouts makes the building the ultimate in flexibility and is matched
by a 1,450 space, eight-storey car park.
The architect designed the MAC's glass façade to have an aesthetically
pleasing smooth appearance. Structural silicone sealants in combination
with IG units were designed in a two-sided structural glazing design to
achieve high levels of transparency in a cost-effective way. In order
to realise this vision, the IG units'
seals needed to be exposed to the elements, without being covered by a
secondary metal frame which would have spoilt the façade's even
appearance.
It was not only visual requirements which Dow Corning's sealants had to
face on this demanding project. In order to meet strict insulation requirements,
the IG units were designed to be argon-filled. It had previously always
proved difficult, or impossible, for units with a silicone secondary edge
seal to meet the gas-loss requirements defined in EN1279. Dow Corning's
technical teams worked closely with the curtain walling company Bug AluTechnic,
glass supplier BGT, and Façade Consultant Rüsch Diem Schuler
to develop a silicone edge seal system which actually exceeds the requirements
of the European standard.
Dow Corning 3362 was selected to fulfil this second seal function as well
as the structural seal between the outer and inner glass panes. Dow Corning
3362 is a two component neutral curing silicone sealant specially designed
for high performance Insulated Glazing units. When correctly used Dow
Corning 3362 exceeds BS and DIN performance specifications and fulfils
the requirements for use as a secondary glazing sealant as laid down in
pr EN13022 and ETAG 0002. It is extremely stable under even extreme environmental
conditions including wide temperature fluctuations, UV light, and pollution.
For the structurally glazed elements of the building, the MAC architectural
team specified Dow Corning 993 for bonding the enamelled glass to the
anodised aluminium frames. Dow Corning 993 is a two-part, neutral curing
silicone sealant specifically developed to structurally bond glass and
metal to other construction materials. It has excellent adhesion to a
wide range of substrates including coated, enamelled and reflective glass,
anodised and polyester paint-coated aluminium and stainless steel. Dow
Corning 993 demonstrates significant stability through a wide temperature
range of -60 ° to + 150 °C.
Once cured, Dow Corning 993 Structural Silicone Sealant demonstrates excellent
resistance to weathering, even under extreme conditions. It is formulated
to retain its adhesive and mechanical properties under exposure to oxidising
gases such as ozone, UV radiation, IR radiation, salt spray, etc, throughout
its long life. Dow Corning 993 meets all of the requirements of ETAG 0002
and European Technical Agreement (ETA) 01/0005.
Across the construction industry, worldwide, Dow Corning is known for
its range of
high performance products of consistent quality, reliable global supply,
superior
technical support and their outstanding ability to provide a total solution
package.
Tel: 01676 528000
Email: mailto:jane.pfeil@dowcorning.com
Roseview
Develops Special Window for Hospital Environment
Roseview
Windows,
a specialist fabricator of the Rehau
Heritage vertical slider system, has manufactured and installed purpose-designed
replacement windows at a secure hospital facility for the mentally ill.
The
vertical sliders incorporate security features such as special reinforced
glazing to resist sudden impact, restricted opening on the lower sash
and a powder coated external metal grill to prevent the passage of objects.
They also have in-built trickle ventilation and concealed hardware to
avoid potential ligature points.
Roseview worked closely with Rehau and hardware manufacturers Caldwell
over a 12 month period to develop the window in conjunction with the NHS
Trust responsible for the refurbishment and management of the facility.
The Trust specified the Heritage vertical slider to replace the timber
box sashes which were in place previously and wanted a secure, low maintenance
solution which didn’t detract from the aesthetics of the building.The
Roseview window has achieved all this so successfully that the project
is being examined by other NHS authorities as a potential pilot for other
similar installations.
Willie Kerr of Roseview said: ‘The vertical slider lends itself to
use in this type of environment because it can operate successfully with
concealed hardware. In the Rehau Heritage PVCu system, it also maintains
the overall look of the building and is virtually maintenance free.’
Roseview will provide a 5-yearly maintenance inspection on the windows
as part of its agreement with the NHS trust as well as a 12 year guarantee.
Tel: 01989 762600