AS EASY AS 1-2-3
12th June 2012

An eleven storey mixed-use office and retail scheme in London’s West End is undergoing a £42 million refurbishment programme, including a £3.6 million glazing contract by GLASSOLUTIONS – formerly known as Solaglas – to improve natural lighting and energy efficiency.

The redevelopment, designed by Aukett Fitzroy Robinson, includes replacing all glazing and shop fronts to improve energy efficiency and maximise the internal natural lighting.

Originally built in the 1970s, the fenestration is a striking architectural feature, with all elevations dominated by distinctive eight pane glazed bays. Planning restrictions required the retention of existing aluminium frames but the important landmark complex also needed to deliver an improved thermal and acoustic performance.

The retrofit programme by GLASSOLUTIONS provides an excellent model of delivering sustainability whilst respecting the aesthetics of the original building design and materials. Working with one of the UK’s leading fit-out companies, Como Group, and contractor Mace Construction, GLASSOLUTIONS was brought in at an early stage in the design process.

This enabled the team to create a complete mock-up of an existing glazed eight panel bay, but fitted with new high performance double glazed sealed units housed within bespoke insulated frame extrusions in a structure which also featured specially designed gaskets to achieve water tightness. The design totally replicated the original style of the units but delivers improved thermal and acoustic insulation.

Important in the achievement of a good BREEAM rating, GLASSOLUTIONS was able to offer full ISO14001 supply chain tracking. Over 180 tonnes of existing glass from the site was recycled at GLASSOLUTIONS’ associate company Saint-Gobain’s UK glass float manufacturing facility.

www.glassolutions.co.uk