All types of Kawneer’s glazing systems feature on the new Spires Academy.
Elements of the whole portfolio of Kawneer systems have been used on a new school with indoor and outdoor teaching spaces that achieved a BREEAM “Very good” rating,
Kawneer’s AA®110 and AA®100 (sloped) curtain walling were used on the main entrance and corridors of the predominately naturally-ventilated Spires Academy in Canterbury.
These systems, with 65mm and 50mm sightlines respectively, are complemented by AA®541 casement windows with both manual and automatic top-hung ventilators and by series 190 heavy-duty commercial entrance doors and AA®605 low/medium-duty swing doors. The windows and entrance doors were designed where necessary to Secured by Design standards.
The Kawneer systems were installed by approved specialist sub-contractor APiC UK for main contractor Carillion PLC to a design by architects Jestico + Whiles for Kent County Council.
The school accommodates 600 students in six learning areas. The mixed two and three-storey radial design has a gathering place, or heart, at its core. This dramatic central space functions as the assembly hall and café/dining area and provides space for display and performance, essential to the academy’s specialisms in Business and Enterprise and Visual Creative and Performing Arts.
It mixes both standard teaching classrooms and specialist larger spaces with landscaped outdoor teaching zones as well as a sports hall, studios for dance and drama, and an enterprise suite.
