Architectural aluminium glazing systems by leading UK manufacturer Kawneer have helped to overcome a host of design challenges for the redevelopment of the headquarters of an iconic British organisation.
Kawneer's AA®110 curtain walling, AA®720 thermally-superior doors and AA®720 bespoke trapezoidal opening lights were used on the retrofit of the central London head office of the leading consumer rights champion.
The mullion-drained SSG (Structurally Silicone Glazed) curtain walling, with 65mm sightlines, was specially adapted by Kawneer and approved installer JPJ Installations to meet the design by architects Kohn Pedersen Fox Associates (KPF). The AA®720 lights were also a bespoke design by JPJ.
KPF's brief was to remodel the existing building to meet the needs of a modern charity and business, to encourage the evolution of working practices within the organisation and promote team working.
The Kawneer systems feature on arguably the two most striking elements of the redevelopment of the 6,684m2 hybrid building which comprises two distinct elements - a Grade II listed Georgian terrace and a 1980s concrete-frame office building.
Improving circulation and connectivity between the listed and 1980s building, KPF's design has increased open-plan office space by removing sections of the original 1980s concrete core at the threshold with the listed building which is also in a Conservation Area and near a Grade I listed church.
As the main contractor, Structure Tone led the construction of that design, which involved relocating the core to the west side of the building and the extension of the floorplate to accommodate additional workstations. Along Peto Place, the transformation is completed by the introduction of a new façade comprising an abstract pattern of alternate transparent and translucent glazing panels by Kawneer.
A new communal space has been created at ground level to form a central meeting hub, linking the 1980s building with the development's main entrance within the listed building. The reception area and other key internal spaces have been upgraded with high-quality materials and finishes to create a smart and contemporary workplace while remaining sympathetic to the nature of the listed building's original details.
The scheme also utilised the large flat roof of the existing 1980s building by moving the roof-top plant to create an additional storey which rests on the structure of the existing building. This makes use of Kawneer's AA®110 curtain walling again but with AA®720 doors within it on the gable end and the tall and slender AA®720 windows at intervals within the eaves.
This penthouse-like proposition presents as a unique and complex geometric form, designed to minimise the impact on local historic views. The new floor accommodates a conference facility, canteen and accessible roof-top terrace to provide dynamic and versatile meeting, event and amenity space.
The Kawneer curtain walling needed to accommodate large deflection criteria to the edge of the floor slab. This required project-specific SSG toggles to match the glass specification of 43mm and 57.6mm triple-pane clear glass, and 59.6mm triple-pane opaque glass.
In addition, a bespoke horizontal joint support was created to omit horizontal toggles, with the glass panes supported on the two vertical edges. This design also required a new glazing bridge and the silicone seal was increased from the standard 24mm to 30mm to permit greater glass rotation under building deflection.