Clearview North April 2014 - Issue 149 | Page 85

GLASS&SEALEDUNITS Thermographic imagery demonstrates the effectiveness of secondary glazing within this 1960’s office block. Ar1 denotes the area treated with secondary glazing, showing minimum heat loss. Ar2 demonstrates the untreated area. A Winning Performance in the “Golden Mile” Forming part of what is known as Brentford’s “Golden Mile” business area; Great West House with its L-plan design is an iconic 1960’s tower. Dominating the skyline from the elevated M4, Great West House provides office accommodation for a number of blue-chip British and world-wide organisations, including BSkyB, Page One Communications and Air India. Known as GW1 and GW2 the paired buildings are owned by commercial property investment company CLS Holdings plc and operated by Instant Office Ltd as a Business Centre providing fully furnished office suites, conference rooms, catering and leisure facilities. An extensive programme of refurbishment and upgrade has ensured that the buildings provide contemporary accommodation to a high standard. However with energy performance now assuming greater importance for building owners and managers the original metal windows are also being enhanced to improve standards of thermal insulation and comfort. The chosen solution is Selectaglaze’s bespoke Secondary Glazing with high performance seals which reduces heat loss by more than 50% and minimises air leakage. Comfort is improved and energy demand reduced. The secondary windows are fully fabricated off-site allowing rapid installation and minimal disruption to the day to day business of the building. Thermography tests conducted by Thermascan clearly demonstrate that floors with secondary glazing perform considerably better than those with original glazing. Secondary glazing also offers significant noise insulation, typically a 45dB reduction, and is extensively used to combat traffic and aircraft noise in offices, hotels and residential areas. Effective security can also be achieved using locks and strengthened glass. Selectaglaze, founded in 1966 and a Royal Warrant holder since 2004 is the UK’s leading designer, manufacturer and installer of secondary glazing. Products are independently tested for thermal insulation, sound attenuation and security. Secure products have ‘Police preferred speciation’ under the Secured by Design initiative. Selectaglaze offers a free technical advisory service and a RIBA approved CPD seminar to professional designers. For further information or literature please contact the Marketing Department on 01727 837271; e-mail: [email protected] or visit the company’s comprehensive website at: www.selectaglaze.co.uk To read more, visit www.clearview-uk.com Pilkington Planar™ supports new era at Business School Durham University Business School’s new £16million fitfor-purpose building utilises NSG Group’s world class Pilkington Planar™ to create an inspiring space for students to learn. Approximately 500m2 of Pilkington Planar™ was specified incorporating Pilkington Planar™ Sun 70/39 coating, which was double glazed, laminated and connected to Glulam beams structure by articulated Pilkington Planar™ 902 fittings and stainless steel spring plates. The use of Glulam beams layers of wood glued together to create the support structure for the glazing rather than steel work adds warmth and a contemporary feel to the building. This challenging project was installed by O.J Taffinder Ltd Durham University’s world-renowned Business School is one of an elite group of UK schools with Triple Accreditation. However, its existing facilities were in need of expansion and modernisation to underpin the success of the courses offered and GSSArchitecture was commissioned to create a fit-for-purpose facility to enable the School to achieve its strategic objectives. To do this the architects wanted glazing that was both visually striking but also energy efficient and Pilkington Planar™ fitted the bill. James Elliot of GSSArchitecture said, “GSSArchitecture specified Pilkington Planar™ Sun on a geometrically challenging façade for Durham University Business School, to provide a contemporary look which would limit solar glare and overheating. The service Pilkington United Kingdom Limited provided from inception through to completion was impeccable and this is reflected in the completed building which the client is delighted with.” Pilkington Planar™ systems remain the world’s market leader for structural glazing systems. With its unrivalled stability and safety, this innovative product allows architects to build entire structures out of glass, allowing architects design flexibility to create bright and highly attractive working environments, with more light and a greater feeling of space. www.pilkington.co.uk/planar Durham University Business S 6