Power specification
31st January 2012

Pilkington Planar has been specified in a new generator hall building at Rånåsfoss, a Norwegian hydro power station. The extension was required to house the new turbines, due to be replaced after 80 years of service.
 
Built in 1923, Rånåsfoss is considered a historical industrial landmark, due to the high quality of neo-classical architecture in the original building. The project demanded that the new generator hall should fit seamlessly with the original structure, giving the architects and specifier, LPO and KVAMS Glass, a real challenge.

The new building was due to be erected with the power station remaining operational; creating potential additional hazards on the construction site, with limited  space and the added pressure of a very tight deadline.
 
The Rånåsfoss extension consists of a large glazed structure incorporated into the existing building and the station also features an embedded ‘Glass Box’ framework in the lower brickwork. This allows additional light into the station and opens it up to picturesque views across the surrounding river and landscape. The complete extension used over 120 Pilkington Planar panels, with a total project cost of 32 million Norwegian kroner (over £3.5 million).
 
The addition to the Rånåsfoss site is expected to be in operation for the next 100 years, requiring a structural solution of extremely high quality to meet the challenging demands of the power station. The existing architecture and narrow site meant there is little light available, calling for a  highly transparent construction and Pilkington Planar succeeded in accomplishing the challenge to achieve maximum transparency, while avoiding any visually disturbing mullions. Pilkington Planar was specified due to the aesthetic quality of the product and strength, combined with the impressive durability which underpins a 12-year product and performance warranty
 
Oystein Kartvedt, LPO Architects, said: “Rånåsfoss is an industrial landmark for Norway, making it crucial to preserve the historical aspects of this neo-classical building, while complementing and securing its future with a modern integrated refurbishment. The major challenge came in trying to keep up with the tight time schedule on the construction site. The flush glass surface provided by the structural glazing system of Pilkington Planar enabled easy installation of the glass on the main facade of the site where space was particularly tight. Pilkington Planar was the perfect structural solution, allowing for a bold and historically sympathetic design to be applied.”
 
The Pilkington Planar structural glazing system provides a flush glass surface by using stainless steel fittings housed in countersunk holes to fix the glass facade back to the structure, instead of using the more conventional framed systems. The result is a fully engineered system, with the minimum amount of support structure and the maximum possible visual clarity. A silicone seal between adjacent panels provides weatherproofing.

www.pilkington.co.uk/planar