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Pilkington
Activ™ Blue for Finnish Hotel
The design of the new new Hilton Hotel in Finland, by architects KVA Arkkitehdit
Oy, had to take into consideration both the aesthetics and practicality
of the building, and featuring prominently in the plans is Pilkington
Activ™ Blue self-cleaning glass.
For the front façade, 2200m2 of the glass was specified with 6mm
toughened Activ™ Blue for the outer panes and 6mm float toughened
glass for the inner panes. A further 2100m2 was also specified for the
rest of the building with the outer glass again Pilkington Activ™
Blue, with the inner layer being either Pilkington Optitherm SN for added
thermal insulation or a variation of thicknesses to comply with safety
regulations and noise control requirements.
The use of Pilkington Activ™ Blue on such a major and influential
structure is a testament to the product's versatility. ‘The Hilton
brand is a significant and well known name, particularly in Asia,’
comments Julia Berkin, marketing communications manager of Pilkington
Building Products UK. ‘With an increasing number of travellers using
Finland as a gateway to and from Asia, the architects wanted a high profile
design for the hotel and the use of Pilkington Activ™ Blue offered
a stunning visually appealing solution.’
Pilkington Activ™ Blue self-cleaning glass has a specially formulated
coating which breaks down organic dirt particles when exposed to daylight,
making it the world's first truly self-cleaning glass. Performance wise,
this unique action is a major advantage over conventional glass as the
cost involved in keeping such vast expanses of glass clean and pristine
would be astronomical. Throw into the mix the closeness to airport pollution
and it is clear to see why Pilkington Activ™ Blue was such an attractive
option! With energy management a key issue, the glass also offers solar
control and thermal insulation to comply with all relevant legislation.
The Hilton Hotel is due for completion in the Autumn, when travellers
flying into the busy airport can see for themselves the stunning and eye
catching architectural appeal of Pilkington Activ™ Blue.
Web: http://www.pilkington.com
Newdawn
Helps to Make an Architectural Statement
With
conservatories now truly considered an extra room, rather than just a
glass extension, it has become even more important to consider the exterior
of the new addition to a home, as the experiences of Balmoral
Conservatories demonstrate.
Northumberland based Balmoral Conservatories worked with Armstrong Joinery
Limited, using Maranti Hardwood to create a bespoke 60 square metre conservatory
for homeowners in County Durham, which was completed with a Newdawn roofing
system.
Finished
in black, the contrast to the white brick house can be viewed as an architectural
statement by homeowners and not a failed case of matching, as Alan Hayle,
National Sales Manager for Balmoral Conservatories explains:
‘The homeowners wanted to create something totally different to the
traditional style conservatory they had outgrown. They sought after a
much more modern looking design that was obviously different to the house
to create more than an extension but an individual, all purpose living
room in its own right.
‘By using Armstrong Joinery Limited we could ensure the highest quality
of product, supply and installation and further that the sources of hardwood
were sustainable. Newdawn's technical team also worked closely with us
to ensure the structural integrity of the colour coated components was
maintained with this dark, heat absorbing design.’
Newdawn supplies a wide range of conservatory roof systems for timber.
pvcu and aluminium conservatory construction as well as Sunbrite high
performance glass.
Alan Cockayne, Newdawn's National Sales Manager commented: ‘It's
long been argued that the conservatory roof is the most important part
of the conservatory construction.
‘This is now especially true with the increasing trend to build a
conservatory as a permanent 'extra room' for the home. It means that design
principles of whether to contrast or blend the complete conservatory colour
with the home become more important. Likewise, with increasing temperature
levels, the materials used need to be able to resist the elements for
decades to come.’
To contact Balmoral Conservatories, please contact 01668 282 428.
For further information on Newdawn, please call 01789 764 444.
For details of Armstrong Joinery Limited, please telephone 01900 842 084.
Cream
of the Crop: Spectus makes Bespoke Colour for Ben Bailey Homes
J.
F. Bodmans and Sons has been fabricating the Spectus
Elite 70 system in a cream through colour for a new build project with
Ben Bailey Homes. Windows, doors and conservatories are being installed
at more than 20 sites in South Yorkshire.
Ben Bailey's specified cream because the colour complements the red and
russet tones of the brickwork in the Victorian style homes within its
2007 house range.
‘We've been working with Spectus for almost four years,’ explains
Adrian Bodman, General Manager of Bodmans.
‘During that time we've seen our output double. Its products are
much better than any of its competitors. Elite 70, for instance, is a
five chambered suite and looks better than any other system on the market.
Spectus provides a level of flexibility and reliability that sets it apart
from other systems companies.’
Martin Althorpe, Technical Director of Spectus, comments: ‘The cream
colour was originally on Elite 63 profiles, but it has a much wider market
now. As a result of growing demand, we have introduced it as a standard
colour on a limited range of Elite 70 profiles as well. As part of the
most comprehensive and coherent range in the UK, we can foil an almost
unlimited range of colours for our customers.’
Tel: 01625 420400
Web: http://www.spectus.co.uk
ECS
uses Spectus to Cut Noise by 40dB
Spectus Window Systems has helped its customer ECS Ltd produce windows which reduce external noise levels by 40dB. ECS Ltd fabricated and installed the high-level acoustic windows for 100 new build apartments at Broadway in Salford. Phase one of three has just been completed. A 38mm double glazed unit was used with a special bead, and cavities were filled with timber to provide better insulation.
Michael
Green, Director at ECS Ltd, explains: ‘The Spectus commercial team
passed this lead onto us. It was the highest ever acoustic specification
using the Spectus profile. Set on a main road, the windows had to significantly
reduce the noise of traffic. With Spectus' help we were able to produce
a window that performed. We've used the Spectus profile since ECS was
established in 2004, and the support team always goes out of its way to
help.’
Tel: 01625 420400
Web: http://www.spectus.co.uk
KAT
UK Designs High Security Sash Window for Secure Units
KAT
UK has designed a specialised 'secure specification' vertical
sliding sash window for use in secure units - its first installation has
been in a new build hospital facility.
KAT
UK was approached by architects to design a secure and safe sliding sash
window with anti-ligature hardware and other safety features, which also
looked aesthetically pleasing and fitted in with the surrounding area.
The architects were specific in their requirements. VS product manager
at KAT UK, Jim Kelleher said: 'Due to the sensitive nature of the patients
and the location of the site in a suburban area it was imperative to have
high security windows that looked like normal windows. It was also vital
that the windows were aesthetically pleasing from both the inside and
outside of the property, and that they were not only energy efficient
but safe in terms of their performance. This means that they couldn't
open enough for people to climb out of them and patients were unable to
harm themselves or others with any part of the windows.
'KAT was up for the challenge! We offer the highest quality products and
service to our customers, so designing windows to suit customers‚
specific needs is possible if there is volume to an order or sufficient
demand for a new window design.'
In response to the request, KAT UK worked closely with its supplier -
Caldwell Hardware - to adapt its Elegance range of WHS Halo sash windows.
'We took the original window apart and worked with Caldwell to custom
design a number of new parts that would provide extra security and safety,'
continues Jim.
'Caldwell already had an anti-ligature handle we could use and the firm
also made up special small torso balances for us to suit the style of
the windows. Modern materials and technology coupled with innovative design
means that the windows will be thermally efficient, long-lasting and both
secure and safe for the staff, patients and the local residents. The end
result is a stylish window that blends in with its surroundings and also
offers very high security and safety - giving peace of mind to all.'
Runcorn-based commercial installations specialists - ECS - fitted the
KAT UK 'Secure Specification' sash windows.
ECS managing director Mike Green said: 'KAT UK's windows were of a fantastic
quality, all the orders arrived on time and in full so my team could concentrate
on fitting windows instead of chasing up deliveries. The KAT UK team was
very helpful and friendly - you really couldn't ask for more from a supplier.'
The contractor was Lockwood Construction which was very happy with the
service, installation, high specification and quality of all KAT window
products.
For more details on this new specialist window, to enquire about a bespoke
custom design or for information on the standard range of specialist windows
and doors, contact Jim Kelleher or a member of the KAT VS Team.
Tel: 01625 412 558
Email: vs@katuk.co.uk
Web: http://www.katuk.co.uk
H
Jarvis Provides Grey Solution to Persimmon Homes
Sheerframe
PVC profile in grey has enabled specialist newbuild window fabricator
H Jarvis Ltd to deliver the perfect aesthetic and cutting edge design
solution for Persimmon Homes in Newcastle.
The
Riverside Village development of apartments and family houses is contemporary
in design and required stylish exteriors to complement the modern site
layout, which comprises squares, cul-de-sacs and boulevards.
Using the Sheerframe 6000 system, which is specifically designed for the
new build sector and widely used by house builders across the UK and Ireland,
H Jarvis Ltd supplied windows with grey foils on the outside face of the
window with the interiors remaining white for a contemporary look.
Sheerframe windows are perfectly suited to the creation of highly energy
efficient, low maintenance windows with slim sightlines which perform
consistently well throughout their long lifespan.
Chris Curry, construction director at Persimmon Homes, commented, ‘Riverside
Village is a superb development of contemporary new homes and the grey
windows combined with the cedar wood cladding, add to the style and attractiveness
of the properties. PVC windows are energy efficient and practical and,
as they are available in a range of colours including grey, they can provide
architects and developers with real solutions and style options.’
Web: http://www.sheerframe.co.uk
Pilkington
Provides Coastal Clarity
Passengers
at Oban Ferry Terminal are being treated to stunning uninterrupted views
of Scotland's coastline, while being kept safe and warm as they wait for
their ferry to arrive, thanks to the world's leading structural glazing
system Pilkington Planar.
Oban
is a busy harbour on the west coast of Scotland and plays a vital role
in supporting the island's communities. The new terminal building, which
cost £1.36 million to complete, incorporates more than 300m2 of
Pilkington Planar.
The Pilkington Planar insulating glazing units incorporate 15mm toughened
Pilkington Optifloat as the outer pane and 6mm Pilkington Optitherm SN
low-E glass as the inner pane with a 16mm air gap.
Jerry Almond, project manager at specialist subcontractor Charles Henshaw,
who installed the Pilkington Planar on this application said: 'The front
of the terminal, overlooking the sea, and the sides of the building, consist
of a large expanse of glazing. This provides passengers and tourists with
great views across the coast and enables them to see the ferries coming
in and going out of the harbour. With the location to the north seeing
very little sun and facing exposed winds, it was important that the glazing
was the most thermally efficient possible.
'Pilkington Planar met the challenge of minimising the amount of steel
used in the glass support structure to maximise transparency. The result
is a spectacular structure that gives the terminal a lighter and more
natural appearance, while improving the visitors‚ experience.'
Pilkington Optitherm SN is an ultra low emissivity, high thermal insulating
off-line coated glass. Its low emissivity coating reflects heat back into
the building, whilst providing high light transmission to create a naturally
lit, comfortable environment.
Pilkington Planar is a frameless structural glazing system consisting
of flat or curved glass panels with a proprietary fixing method that is
always designed and supplied as a complete structural solution.
Pilkington Planar can now incorporate Pilkington Activ self-cleaning glass,
allowing the design freedom that comes with frameless glazing. Additionally,
the dual-action cleaning process ensures the building remains looking
its best, whilst also reducing future maintenance costs.
For further information e-mail Pilkington@respond.uk.com
or telephone the Technical Helpline on 01744 692000 or visit http://www.pilkington.co.uk