KAWNEER UK LTD
ASTMOOR ROAD
ASTMOOR INDUSTRIAL ESTATE
RUNCORN
CHESHIRE WA7 1QQ
Tel: 01928 502500
Fax: 01928 502501
Suppliers of: Aluminium Curtain Wall, Brise Soleil, Windows, Entrance Doors, Fire Resistant Systems
Kawneer are a leading UK supplier of Architectural Aluminium Glazing Systems.
Kawneer manufacturer an extensive range of products suitable for use in a variety of markets sectors, including, Education, Healthcare, Commercial, Residential, Arts & Leisure and can also supply bespoke solutions. Part of the international Arconic Group, Kawneer products are extensively tested to comply with both EU and UK regulations.
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Kawneer Curtain Walling & Brise Soleil
The AA®100 curtain wall system is available as a standard 50mm system, or for increased loads and movement, a 65mm system. By providing a unique dry jointed facade solution the AA®100 and AA®110 systems can be installed as fully capped, horizontal capped, or structural silicone glazed. For 30 minute fire resistance the AA®100/AA®110 FR is designed as a stick curtain wall assembly. PF curtain wall is a mullion drained modular curtain wall system, which externally has the appearance of an all glass facade.
AA®201 unitised curtain wall is a modular facade solution. Individual panels or units are assembled off site in factory controlled conditions then transported to site and craned onto the building. This helps to meet the demands of today’s fast paced construction schedules of high performance, fast installation, simplified fabrication, superior performance and design flexibility.
Kawneer’s curtain wall, window and framing systems can accommodate the Kawneer AA®130 Brise Soleil System which adds a stunning design statement to the building facade; optimising the natural daylight within a building whilst limiting the solar heat gain and glare to provide optimum comfort for residents. A comprehensive range of both standard and bespoke sections in a variety of shapes, sizes and colours is available.
Kawneere’s PF Curtain Wall is a mullion drained modular curtain wall system, designed so that, when viewed externally, the opening vents and the fixed lights have the same visual appearance, making it an attractive and practical option for many curtain walling requirements. The PF system consists of panellised frames that are attached, as either fixed lights, opening lights or panel areas, to the curtain wall grids. Each glazed panel has a visible face of 28mm in width which in combination with a 14mm recess between the panels, gives an overall sightline of 70mm. Alternatively, a structurally glazed version of the system is available, giving the facade an all glass appearance when viewed from the outside, with only a 14mm recessed gap between each pane.
Kawneer Windows
The AA®720 windows are a 72mm profile incorporating the very latest thermal technology and meet the latest european requirements for thermal perfornance, including expected changes up to 2019. Glazing and panels up to 56mm thickness can be accommodated enabling the use of triple glazing. The AA®720 windows offer versatility in design encompassing a wide variety of configurations, including the AA®720 FR (Fire Resistant) consisting of door and fixed light varients.
The AA®540 series corresponds to the BRE Global Green Guide online generic specification for windows and achieves a summary rating of A*. The range consists of the AA®541 casement, the AA®542 pivot and the AA®543 tilturn window designed to offer optimum weather and thermal performance at a competitive price.
The AA®600TE and AA®600TEPlus series is a high performance totally integrated system consisting of the AA®601TE and AA®601TEPlus casement, AA®601TE parallel opening, AA®602TE pivot, the AA®603TE tilturn and the AA®603 tilt slide, available as a door or a window.
For the replacement of steel windows the GT70 Slimline Renovation window is Kawneer’s aluminium profile that is designed to replicate steel windows.
Kawneer Sliding Solutions
Kawneer also supplies an extensive range of door and window sliding solutions. These include the AA®3110 horizontal sliding window & door, the specialist healthcare AA®3110HW window, the AA®3610 vertical sliding window and the AA®3610LS window, a unique solution which opens the top and bottom sashes simultaneously for improved ventilation.
The AA®3720 folding/sliding door and the AA®3572 lift/slide door systems have been developed as a solution for projects that demand the highest levels of thermal and weathering performance. The AA®3720 is equally suited to the discerning home owner or installed in commercial premises that wish to enhance the environment whilst the AA®3572 is an ideal space saving solution where safety is a consideration and projecting swing doors are undesirable.
Kawneer Entrance Doors & Framing
The 190 narrow style door is recommended for use in heavy traffic areas and the 350 heavy duty door provides the durability needed in especially high traffic areas. The 10D door has been designed to offer flexibility in design, durability and ease of installation. Kawneer offers two swing doors, both single action open-in or open-out with the AA®545 designed to offer optimum weather and thermal performance at a competitive price and the AA®605TE/AA®605TEPlus designed to optimise thermal performance.
The AA®603TE tilt/slide door is available in a variety of single or double tilt slide and fixed light combinations and is ideal for the high rise residential market. The AA®720 door is available in two levels of thermal performance to enable flexibility of design, performance and cost. The AA®720 FR is a door and fixed light variants enabling design flexibility when fire protection is a requirement to building design.
Kawneer has two framing systems available, the thermally efficient 451PT suitable for ground and first floor applications, combining thermal performance with product aesthetics, suitable for use on commercial projects, in the public sector and is also ideal for large display windows in the retail sector. Also the AA®4001, a semi-unitised system which complies with acoustics to BB93 and provides students with environmentally friendly BB95 classrooms and is ideal for refurbishment projects.
* www.thegreenguide.org.uk Element Number 831500023
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Further technical information is available in the BPi download library or on the Kawneer website.
These files are provided by the manufacturer. While Building Products Index takes every care to ensure the information is correct and up to date, we cannot be held liable for any out of date or incorrect information in them. Please check with the supplier before specifying or purchasing products.
Kawneer AA130 Brise Soleil
Aluminium Glazing Systems Solar Shading for Reduced Solar Heat Gain
Published [21/06/18]File size [1187 KB]
Kawneer AA720 Juliet Balcony Brochure
Aluminium Windows with integrated Juliet Balconies
Published [20/02/18]File size [1993 KB]
Kawneer Architectural Aluminium Finishes
Architectural Aluminium Systems
Finishes. Permacover and Permanodic Paint Finishes and coatings for Aluminium
Published [25/06/18]File size [383 KB]
Kawneer Corporate Brochure
aluminium curtain walls walling, glazed facades,
Published [25/06/18]File size [15365 KB]
Kawneer Curtain Wall Systems Brochure February 2017
Aluminium Glazed facades, curtain walling Systems
Published [21/06/18]File size [6059 KB]
Kawneer Door and Window Sliding Systems Brochure Feb 2017
sliding doors and windows
Published [25/06/18]File size [5603 KB]
Kawneer Door Systems Brochure February 2017
Published [21/06/18]File size [4696 KB]
Kawneer Fire Resistant Systems Brochure
Aluminium fire rated doors and windows
Published [20/02/18]File size [300 KB]
Kawneer Framing Systems Brochure February 17
Architectural aluminium glazing Framing Systems
Published [21/06/18]File size [2285 KB]
Kawneer Maintenance and Cleaning Brochure
architectural aluminium glazing systems
Published [12/09/17]File size [2684 KB]
Kawneer Residential Aluminium Glazing Systems
Aluminium Glazing windows and doors Systems high rise apartments
Published [25/06/18]File size [3256 KB]
Kawneer Sliding Window Solutions AA3110HW
Specialist Horizontal Sliding Window Solutions
for your Healthcare Project
Published [13/09/17]File size [556 KB]
Kawneer Sustainability Brochure
architectural aluminium glazing systems
Published [12/09/17]File size [1527 KB]
Kawneer Unitised Curtain Wall Brochure February 2017
Aluminium Glazed facades Systems
Published [20/02/18]File size [1232 KB]
Kawneer Window Systems Brochure March 2017
ARCHITECTURAL ALUMINIUM GLAZING SYSTEMS, Aluminium duel coloured commercial unitized Window & Door Systems
Published [21/06/18]File size [5302 KB]
These files are provided by the manufacturer. While Building Products Index takes every care to ensure the information is correct and up to date, we cannot be held liable for any out of date or incorrect information in them. Please check with the supplier before specifying or purchasing products.
190 Door - Double Acting (451PT Frame)
All-purpose door, recommended for use in heavy traffic areas and automatic entrances. The 190 Door can be installed with the 'Finger Guard' option, which safeguards against injury to fingers accidentally caught between the hinge stile and frame.The 451PT Framing system provides slimline, dual colour and multi-glazed framing modules of varying widths and heights that feature fixed lights, opening vents and insulated panels and is fully compliant with Document L and Scottish Building Standards Part 6.This download is for the Kawneer 190 Door Double Acting (451PT Framing) Component and includes files for both single and double leaf openings.User selectable ironmongery and threshold options are included in this door component which can be hosted into a wall like a standard Revit door.
Metal doorsets
Published [23/03/17]
190 Door - Double Acting (Curtain Wall Door)
All-purpose door, recommended for use in heavy traffic areas and automatic entrances. The 190 Door can be installed with the 'Finger Guard' option, which safeguards against injury to fingers accidentally caught between the hinge stile and frame.Kawneer door systems have been proved by stringent laboratory testing. Strong construction, quality materials, precision engineering, proven hardware and attention to detail are the dependable performance features found in all Kawneer door systems.This download is for the Kawneer 190 Door Double Acting (Curtain Wall Panel) Component and includes files for both single and double leaf openings.User selectable ironmongery and threshold options are included in this component which compliments the Kawneer AA100 & AA110 Curtain Walling Systems.
Metal doorsets
Published [23/03/17]
190 Door - Finger Guard Double Acting (451PT Frame)
All-purpose door, recommended for use in heavy traffic areas and automatic entrances. The 190 Door can be installed with the 'Finger Guard' option, which safeguards against injury to fingers accidentally caught between the hinge stile and frame.The 451PT Framing system provides slimline, dual colour and multi-glazed framing modules of varying widths and heights that feature fixed lights, opening vents and insulated panels and is fully compliant with Document L and Scottish Building Standards Part 6.This download is for the Kawneer 190 Finger Guard Door Double Acting (451PT Framing) Component and includes files for both single and double leaf openings.User selectable ironmongery and threshold options are included in this door component which can be hosted into a wall like a standard Revit door.
Metal doorsets
Published [23/03/17]
190 Door - Finger Guard Double Acting (Curtain Wall Door)
All-purpose door, recommended for use in heavy traffic areas and automatic entrances. The 190 Door can be installed with the 'Finger Guard' option, which safeguards against injury to fingers accidentally caught between the hinge stile and frame.Kawneer door systems have been proved by stringent laboratory testing. Strong construction, quality materials, precision engineering, proven hardware and attention to detail are the dependable performance features found in all Kawneer door systems.This download is for the Kawneer 190 Finger Guard Door Double Acting (Curtain Wall Panel) Component and includes files for both single and double leaf openings.User selectable ironmongery and threshold options are included in this component which compliments the Kawneer AA100 & AA110 Curtain Walling Systems.
Metal doorsets
Published [23/03/17]
190 Door - Finger Guard Open Out (Curtain Wall Door)
All-purpose door, recommended for use in heavy traffic areas and automatic entrances. The 190 Door can be installed with the 'Finger Guard' option, which safeguards against injury to fingers accidentally caught between the hinge stile and frame.Kawneer door systems have been proved by stringent laboratory testing. Strong construction, quality materials, precision engineering, proven hardware and attention to detail are the dependable performance features found in all Kawneer door systems.This download is for the Kawneer 190 Finger Guard Door Open Out (Curtain Wall Panel) Component and includes files for both single and double leaf openings.User selectable ironmongery options are included in this component which compliments the Kawneer AA100 & AA110 Curtain Walling Systems.
Metal doorsets
Published [23/03/17]
190 Door - Open In (Curtain Wall Door)
All-purpose door, recommended for use in heavy traffic areas and automatic entrances. The 190 Door can be installed with the 'Finger Guard' option, which safeguards against injury to fingers accidentally caught between the hinge stile and frame.Kawneer door systems have been proved by stringent laboratory testing. Strong construction, quality materials, precision engineering, proven hardware and attention to detail are the dependable performance features found in all Kawneer door systems.This download is for the Kawneer 190 Door Open In (Curtain Wall Panel) Component and includes files for both single and double leaf openings.User selectable ironmongery and threshold options are included in this component which compliments the Kawneer AA100 & AA110 Curtain Walling Systems.
Metal doorsets
Published [23/03/17]
190 Door - Open Out (Curtain Wall Door)
All-purpose door, recommended for use in heavy traffic areas and automatic entrances. The 190 Door can be installed with the 'Finger Guard' option, which safeguards against injury to fingers accidentally caught between the hinge stile and frame.Kawneer door systems have been proved by stringent laboratory testing. Strong construction, quality materials, precision engineering, proven hardware and attention to detail are the dependable performance features found in all Kawneer door systems.This download is for the Kawneer 190 Door Open Out (Curtain Wall Panel) Component and includes files for both single and double leaf openings.User selectable ironmongery and threshold options are included in this component which compliments the Kawneer AA100 & AA110 Curtain Walling Systems.
Metal doorsets
Published [23/03/17]
350 Door - Double Acting (451PT Frame)
A heavy duty door which provides extra width stiles for accommodation of varying lock options and heavy aesthetic appearance, providing the durability needed in high traffic areas.The 451PT Framing system provides slimline, dual colour and multi-glazed framing modules of varying widths and heights that feature fixed lights, opening vents and insulated panels and is fully compliant with Document L and Scottish Building Standards Part 6.This download is for the Kawneer 350 Door Double Acting (451PT Framing) Component and includes files for both single and double leaf openings.User selectable ironmongery and threshold options are included in this door component which can be hosted into a wall like a standard Revit door.
Metal doorsets
Published [23/03/17]
350 Door - Double Acting (Curtain Wall Door)
A heavy duty door which provides extra width stiles for accommodation of varying lock options and heavy aesthetic appearance, providing the durability needed in high traffic areas.Kawneer door systems have been proved by stringent laboratory testing. Strong construction, quality materials, precision engineering, proven hardware and attention to detail are the dependable performance features found in all Kawneer door systems.This download is for the Kawneer 350 Door Double Acting (Curtain Wall Panel) Component and includes files for both single and double leaf openings.User selectable ironmongery and threshold options are included in this component which compliments the Kawneer AA100 & AA110 Curtain Walling Systems.
Metal doorsets
Published [23/03/17]
350 Door - Open In (Curtain Wall Door)
A heavy duty door which provides extra width stiles for accommodation of varying lock options and heavy aesthetic appearance, providing the durability needed in high traffic areas.Kawneer door systems have been proved by stringent laboratory testing. Strong construction, quality materials, precision engineering, proven hardware and attention to detail are the dependable performance features found in all Kawneer door systems.This download is for the Kawneer 350 Door Open In (Curtain Wall Panel) Component and includes files for both single and double leaf openings.User selectable ironmongery and threshold options are included in this component which compliments the Kawneer AA100 & AA110 Curtain Walling Systems.
Metal doorsets
Published [23/03/17]
350 Door - Open Out (Curtain Wall Door)
A heavy duty door which provides extra width stiles for accommodation of varying lock options and heavy aesthetic appearance, providing the durability needed in high traffic areas.Kawneer door systems have been proved by stringent laboratory testing. Strong construction, quality materials, precision engineering, proven hardware and attention to detail are the dependable performance features found in all Kawneer door systems.This download is for the Kawneer 350 Door Open Out (Curtain Wall Panel) Component and includes files for both single and double leaf openings.User selectable ironmongery and threshold options are included in this component which compliments the Kawneer AA100 & AA110 Curtain Walling Systems.
Metal doorsets
Published [23/03/17]
AA®265 Unitised Curtain Wall System
The AA®265 offers the advantage of a dry-glazed assembly giving the building team a unique set of benefits. These include factory fabrication to ensure additional quality control, rapid on site installation, as well as slimline design and flexibility. In addition, if limited access during installation is required, the AA®265 system can be installed, under restricted working conditions, with the building remaining occupied.Weathering is achieved by zone drained pressure equalisation. The glazing provides a positive weather seal for high performance. The system also features the exclusive, high performance thermal break. The AA®265 unitised system gives the specifier a wide choice of styles to create individual and exciting building facades. The AA®265 can accommodate spandrel infill materials including glass, stone and metal panels. The AA®265 unitised curtain wall system is adaptable to any new construction project from two storeys upwards. The system is ideal for fast track installation where safe methods of work are required. The AA®265 has been exclusively designed and developed by Kawneer, with installation contracts undertaken in collaboration with its network of authorised dealers.The AA®265 has been tested and certified in accordance with the CWCT Sequence B 2006 Standard for Systemised Building Envelopes.This download is for the Kawneer AA265 Unitised Curtain Wall System. It includes pre-configured curtain wall types with a square face cap.rev 2 - additional half profile mullion added (product code 3002 267)
Unitized curtain walling systems, Curtain Walls
Published [24/09/17]
AA®3572 Lift/Slide Door System
The Kawneer AA®3572 Lift/Slide Door has been developed as a solution for projects that demand the highest levels of thermal and weathering performance.The AA®3572 thermally insulated system delivers optimum levels of quality and performance with the lift/slide technology providing effortless operation and enabling maximum panel sizes up to 3m x 3m and maximum weights up to 400Kg.Highly robust profiles with high insulation values enable large areas of glass and freedom in design for even large spans. The option of slim meeting stiles allow the system to remain unobtrusive and, as a sliding system, it is an ideal space saving solution where safety is a consideration and projecting swing doors are undesirable.The double EPDM gasket with continuous rebate provides exceptional weathering performance and high levels of sound reducation.This download is for the Kawneer AA®3572 Lift/Slide Door System (as Door components) and includes various 2, 3, 4 and 6 door preconfigured variations. Each door can be adjusted in size and each leaf will increase equally.Please consult Kawneer technical department for guidance on detailing the AA®3572 Lift/Slide Door System
Metal doorsets
Published [24/09/17]
AA®3572 Lift/Slide Door System - (Curtain Wall Door)
The Kawneer AA®3572 Lift/Slide Door has been developed as a solution for projects that demand the highest levels of thermal and weathering performance.The AA®3572 thermally insulated system delivers optimum levels of quality and performance with the lift/slide technology providing effortless operation and enabling maximum panel sizes up to 3m x 3m and maximum weights up to 400Kg.Highly robust profiles with high insulation values enable large areas of glass and freedom in design for even large spans. The option of slim meeting stiles allow the system to remain unobtrusive and, as a sliding system, it is an ideal space saving solution where safety is a consideration and projecting swing doors are undesirable.The double EPDM gasket with continuous rebate provides exceptional weathering performance and high levels of sound reducation.This download is for the Kawneer AA®3572 Lift/Slide Door System (as Curtain Wall Panels) Components and includes 2, 3, 4 and 6 door preconfigured variations. All parts, details and frames variations are include to allow the specifier to create their own version of the system. Please consult Kawneer technical department for guidance on detailing the AA®3572 Lift/Slide Door System
Metal doorsets
Published [24/09/17]
AA®720 Pivot Windows
The AA®720 Pivot Window is the latest addition to the AA®720 range of Windows and Doors. It is available in horizontal, vertical and offset vertical pivot options. Slim sightlines and functionality provide design flexibility in various applications.The 72mm wide insulated multi-chamber profiles incorporating Kawneer’s unique Reflex thermal break technology, multi-chambered EPDM centre seals and polyethylene foam profile around the glazing rebate, enable U values of 1.4 W/m2K to be achieved*. This download is for the AA®720 Pivot Window Curtain Wall System.This download includes the following Pivot Window variations;- Horizontal Vent (including transom version)- Vertical Vent (including Transom version)- Large Vent versions- HW & HI varitations
Aluminium window units
Published [24/09/17]
AA100 (50mm) Curtain Wall System - Dual Colour
The AA®100 Curtain Wall system provides a unique dry jointed façade solution that has been designed and developed to provide the specifier with opportunities to design original and exciting facades. The system is available in a variety of styles and is suitable for vertical and sloped applications including facetted walls. To provide complete design flexibility the AA®100 is also available as a Horizontally Capped system, a Structurally Silicone Glazed System and a Fire Resistant System.This download is for the Kawneer AA100 (50mm) Dual Colour Curtain Wall System. It includes pre-configured curtain wall types for both zone and mullion drained, and also includes all available face cap sizes as face based components.
Stick curtain walling systems
Published [23/03/17]
AA100 (50mm) Curtain Wall System - HC
The AA®100 Curtain Wall system provides a unique dry jointed façade solution that has been designed and developed to provide the specifier with opportunities to design original and exciting facades. The system is available in a variety of styles and is suitable for vertical and sloped applications including facetted walls. To provide complete design flexibility the AA®100 is also available as a Horizontally Capped system, a Structurally Silicone Glazed System and a Fire Resistant System.This download is for the Kawneer AA100 (50mm) HC Curtain Wall System. It includes pre-configured curtain wall types for both vertical gaskets and vertical face caps (bullnose & square)..
Stick curtain walling systems
Published [23/03/17]
AA100 (50mm) Curtain Wall System - Mullion Drained
The AA®100 Curtain Wall system provides a unique dry jointed façade solution that has been designed and developed to provide the specifier with opportunities to design original and exciting facades. The system is available in a variety of styles and is suitable for vertical and sloped applications including facetted walls. To provide complete design flexibility the AA®100 is also available as a Horizontally Capped system, a Structurally Silicone Glazed System and a Fire Resistant System.This download is for the Kawneer AA100 (50mm) Mullion Drained Curtain Wall System. It includes pre-configured curtain wall types for 5 types of face cap (square, rounded, bullnose, renovation & 'H' style).
Stick curtain walling systems
Published [23/03/17]
AA100 (50mm) Curtain Wall System - SSG
The AA®100 Curtain Wall system provides a unique dry jointed façade solution that has been designed and developed to provide the specifier with opportunities to design original and exciting facades. The system is available in a variety of styles and is suitable for vertical and sloped applications including facetted walls. To provide complete design flexibility the AA®100 is also available as a Horizontally Capped system, a Structurally Silicone Glazed System and a Fire Resistant System.This download is for the Kawneer AA100 (50mm) SSG Curtain Wall System. It includes pre-configured curtain wall types for both vertical gaskets and vertical face caps (bullnose & square)..
Stick curtain walling systems
Published [23/03/17]
AA100 (50mm) Curtain Wall System - Zone Drained
The AA®100 Curtain Wall system provides a unique dry jointed façade solution that has been designed and developed to provide the specifier with opportunities to design original and exciting facades. The system is available in a variety of styles and is suitable for vertical and sloped applications including facetted walls. To provide complete design flexibility the AA®100 is also available as a Horizontally Capped system, a Structurally Silicone Glazed System and a Fire Resistant System.This download is for the Kawneer AA100 (50mm) Zone Drained Curtain Wall System. It includes pre-configured curtain wall types for 5 types of face cap (square, rounded, bullnose, renovation & 'H' style).
Stick curtain walling systems
Published [23/03/17]
Kawneer glazing systems get under the skin of a new city campus
Kawneer glazing systems get under the skin of a new city campus
Two types of curtain walling by Kawneer feature at Imperial College London.
Modular or off-site curtain walling by leading UK manufacturer Kawneer has played a key role in a building which forms the centrepiece of Imperial College London's new White City campus.
The bespoke, twin-skin and triple-glazed ventilated curtain walling, based on Kawneer's unitised AA®201 system, features on the main south elevation of the Molecular Sciences Research Hub (MSRH) in the college's first new campus in over a century.
Designed for fast-track installation, it has been used alongside a single-skin version of the AA®201 curtain walling on the north façade and feature AA®720 fixed light casement windows and AA®720 commercial entrance doors. The AA®720 range is Kawneer's most thermally efficient.
The 26,000m2 landmark building designed by Aukett Swanke was initially delivered as a shell and core scheme in late 2016, alongside the new Translation and Innovation Hub as part of the college's second-phase £110m development which followed the architects' Phase 1 post-graduate student accommodation project.
It provides nine floors of Department of Chemistry laboratory space and support facilities and two basement levels which include lecture facilities and an Energy Centre for the whole site which has become a vibrant urban quarter integrating an academic programme with office, residential and retail facilities.
The competition brief focussed on flexibility of the building. Imperial College and its joint venture development partners Voreda sought an agile ‘chassis' for the building which could accommodate current uses but which could be easily adaptable for future change, and avoid the limitations of bespoke characteristics to the form, floorplates, superstructure, shell and services strategy.
The college's estates team was also minded to employ pre-fabrication technology where appropriate and to explore methods to speed construction and avoid excessive site-based fabrication. The design also had to address several specific aspects of site context and integration with Aukett Swanke's overall masterplan for the 7.70-acre, 125,420m2 new campus.
The brief called for a building of circa 25,000m2 and the design evolved to three main transitional forms in stepped-in massing which respond to sensitive, key axial views from the residential areas to the east in North Kensington.
The west and east facades employ modular panels of reconstituted stone whilst the south facade maximises daylight penetration into the U-shaped plan form with Kawneer's full storey-height curtain walling.
The factory-fabricated twin-skin curtain walling used here technically responds to the southern orientation and solar path but also provides noise attenuation from the nearby elevated Westway and the West London railway lines immediately to the east.
The north elevation employs Kawneer's more conventional single-skin AA®201 curtain wall. The nine-storey stepped building form also features a dramatic full-height glazed atrium which creates an impressive arrival experience.
Design refinements incorporated into the scheme with the client following the competition stages include a subtle mix of surface treatments to the precast façade elements and decorative perforated bronze finish cladding features on the main western approach façade.
The perforated panels patterns are mirrored in the dot-matrix manifestation adopted on the south façade and the Kawneer feature windows which punctuate the main western façade. These more delicate touches provide a level of detail which contrasts in human scale with the more stately scale of the overall building. Together the whole composition creates a dynamic and powerful frontage to the new Imperial Square at the heart of the campus masterplan.
The design evolved with flexibility at the core of the concept. Buildings at the college's existing South Kensington campus had changed use, extended and re-morphed over their lifetime, some more easily than others. The client was thus eager to ensure a very high degree of agility in the design so the building was future-proofed as much as possible to accommodate research functions, write-up areas, offices and highly-serviced laboratory space.
To meet all of these potential uses the scheme adopts a 7.5 x 7.5m structural grid and a conventional 1.5m planning grid. Although laboratory uses would perhaps adopt a 7.2m module the slight increase to 7.5m was adopted to meet the overall objectives of the brief.
Factors determining the storey heights of the building focused on flexibility for laboratory use and office/academic research/teaching space, the town planning constraints and the optimum height for precast modular cladding. Flexibility to accommodate laboratory uses was the most exacting factor and resulted in a final storey height of 4m on most upper levels, with flat slab construction.
The Energy Centre is capable of servicing not only this building but also is planned to provide energy requirements for over 50% of the buildings in the overall masterplan of 125,420m2. This approach was incorporated into the masterplan to allow the college to meet its carbon emissions reductions of 20% by 2020.
Initially the superstructure was conceived as in-situ concrete with flat slab, again to easily accommodate laboratory uses and more conventional research and office space. Working closely with the contractor, and after visits to its pre-fabrication plant in Worksop, Nottinghamshire, the scheme was proved flexible enough to adapt, adopting precast sub-structure and super-structure construction as well as the modular reconstituted precast fabrication of the storey height east and west façade treatment. This decision underscored the flexibility of the design and also proved beneficial in reducing the overall construction programme.
At a later point in the design development the college's accommodation strategy led to the building being refined specifically for Molecular Research as part of the Department of Chemistry. Again the design of the ‘chassis and bodywork' proved to be extremely flexible, incorporating high use of fume cupboards for extensive laboratory use. Plant room provisions were also refined to allow for more intensive servicing and ventilation, all within the envelope of the consented shell and core.
Kawneer works with Polar NE to help healing at a pioneering autism centre
Kawneer works with Polar NE to help healing at a pioneering autism centre
A bespoke healthcare window stars at the UK's first dedicated adult autism unit.
Windows by leading UK architectural glazing systems supplier Kawneer have helped meet a host of complex criteria for the UK's first dedicated healthcare facility for adults with autism.
The Mitford unit at Northgate Hospital in Morpeth, Northumberland, where fenestration was led by architectural glazing specialists Polar NE, uses a variety of Kawneer window and framing systems including a bespoke secure healthcare window specially fabricated for the £10 million project.
This specialist window - based on the Kawneer AA®3110HW horizontal slider - has been used in the bedrooms and some communal areas alongside Kawneer's AA®540 fixed casements in corridors, AA®541 top-hung casements in offices and reception, and 451PT framing in communal areas and corridors.
Supplied in moss grey (RAL 7003), they were specified by Medical Architecture in conjunction with Kawneer dealer Polar who had a team of two specialist installers on site for 11 months.
The new BREEAM "Excellent" Mitford unit for Northumberland, Tyne and Wear NHS Foundation Trust provides 24-hour inpatient support and treatment for up to 15 adults with severely complex autistic spectrum disorders.
Built by Kier under ProCure21+, the accommodation comprises eight single-person and two and three-person shared flats within four fingers of accommodation linked at their southern end by a band of shared spaces interspersed with staff facilities. Patients typically stay 18 months to two years, during which time individual stimuli and appropriate therapies are used before they return to the community.
Given there was no precedent in the UK for this type of building, the project team had to develop design standards harnessing knowledge gained from visits to other residential buildings for autism patients, information from organisations such as the Autistic Society, and first-hand knowledge from the trust's clinicians.
The development of the design was particularly extensive regarding the patient flats and a full-size mock-up was built to test bespoke joinery and other details for robustness and particularly acoustic properties.
The trust's key objectives included incorporating best practice from around the world and becoming a leading-edge national autism service, enhancing the facilities for research and development to provide a national centre of excellence, and building a sustainable commercial model to ensure the capital costs of the building were recuperated over an eight-year period.
The unit's design has created a calm and protective setting that helps ensure the comfort and privacy of its residents while responding sensitively to the existing established features of the wider hospital site. External materials, forms and overall heights have been carefully matched to the surrounding buildings.
Medical Architecture director Paul Yeomans said: "Mental health inpatient windows are a very specialist product and we have developed designs with one of the few manufacturers/fabricators over a period of 11 years. Polar chose Kawneer's AA®3110HW system components as a basis and we adapted the successful design to the particular needs of the autism unit."
The Kawneer systems helped to meet a multitude of criteria.
"Windows in mental health inpatient buildings are complex things," he added. "They need to facilitate natural ventilation, preferably be controlled by patients but be extremely safe and robust as well.
"Creating a ligature-resistant window is a challenge that very few manufacturers/fabricators take on. It also needs to facilitate a challenging cleaning regime and in some cases prevent the passage of contraband, so all in all a complex component that is vital to creating a therapeutic yet safe environment.
"This particular project required an internal shutter in place of curtains so we were able to adapt the already successful horizontal slider mental health window unit to work in a pocket alongside an internal shutter."
The windows were required to incorporate thick toughened and laminated glass for safety reasons so achieving the appropriate thermal performance within the width capacity of the frame was challenging at times. A bedroom window, for example, required a 10mm toughened inner and a 10mm toughened outer as the bedroom windows looked out onto a courtyard area.
"Aesthetics are definitely secondary to performance in this case," said Paul. "The Kawneer range of components has allowed us and the window designers to achieve innovative and bespoke design where necessary. In this instance the need was for a very simple, discreet appearance from the inside and a clean robust outer appearance. I think we achieved this despite the inherently ‘heavy' nature of the unit."
The trust engaged a local artist to design artwork on a vinyl film that was incorporated into some key windows for a combination of stimulation and privacy.
Polar NE director Sandy Baxter said: "This was a unique window design. Using our Wansbeck Secure healthcare window - of which the ‘platform' is the existing AA®3110HW horizontal slider from Kawneer - we were required to further develop the design to meet the criteria for this specific project. It was installed so the patient only had access to the internal sliding sash. The rest of the window was concealed inside the wall.
"The Polar NE Wansbeck Secure windows had night vents as part of the design due to being in service users' bedrooms and manual Teleflexes to open high-position windows were used along staff-only corridors for increased ventilation."
Medical Architecture has specified in conjunction with Polar NE, with whom they have collaborated on 10 other window projects, since 2007.
"Most of the projects have been for the NHS estate so BREEAM compliance has been essential and the aluminium construction has contributed to this," said Paul. "This client has been a close partner in developing these window types for their estate over the past 11 years so is very happy with the window design."
Staff and visitors are happy too.
Ward manager Pamela McIntyre said: "Staff are witnessing huge impacts on quality of life. Seeing a mother reacting to her son having his first incident-free days in seven years is very rewarding."
Another staff member said: "In the old building there was one patient who used to live in self-imposed isolation and crawled everywhere. Within a week of moving into Mitford he was having a drink with staff in one of the offices."
And a visitor said: "The design is innovative, forward-thinking, cutting-edge and sets the standard. It is uncomplicated in appearance but sophisticated in its design solutions."
