New vision for Royal National College for the Blind
Students at the Royal National College for the Blind (RNC) have been given safer surroundings to learn in, thanks to Pilkington Planar. Specified to limit the effects of natural light on the building’s interior, the glazing system aims to stop partially sighted students becoming disorientated by shadows, ensuring they are safe and secure within their environment.
More than 175m2 of Pilkington PlanarT was specified in the construction of a new facade for the Hereford College sports centre. The gym is an important feature of the site – the college has an emphasis on sport and is home to the GB Blind Football squad, so it was important that this facility performed well, had a professional feel and was aesthetically pleasing.
Pilkington OptifloatT Green, a tinted float glass, was used to reduce the effects of solar glare. When combined with Pilkington K Glass, which provides thermal insulation with a low emissivity coating, the glazing system achieved its key aim to prevent students becoming disorientated.
Tim Abram, Architect, at architects Wilmore Iles, said: “We have used the Pilkington Planar system in the past, but this project was particularly challenging technically. As a result we enlisted the help of specialist glazing contractors Bridgetown Developments, which advised us throughout the project and were confident the system would perform well and meet the needs of RNC.
