The long awaited transformation of the former Sussex House site in Crawley Town Centre is almost complete, as Land Securities’ new £39 million mixed use development takes shape, showcasing a curvaceous Solar Shading and Screening Solution by Levolux.
Occupying a prominent site at the northern end of the High Street, this significant development represents the first phase of the ‘Town Centre North’ regeneration project. It provides 274,000 sq ft of prime retail and leisure accommodation, including a 110 bed hotel, restaurants and a 500 space multi-storey car park.
Lyons + Sleeman + Hoare Limited architects designed the BREEAM ‘very good’ rated scheme, combining key elements within an integrated external façade that sweeps around the perimeter of the site. As the UK’s leading specialist, Levolux was approached to develop a custom solar shading and screening solution, to be applied across glazed curtain walling, rainscreen cladding and open steelwork.
The solution comprises extruded aluminium rectangular-shaped Fins, each measuring 175mm deep by 50mm thick. The Fins are arranged vertically, secured between custom extruded aluminium ‘C’ section channels, each measuring 175mm high by 80mm deep. All Fins are fixed at a pitch of 400mm, following the horizontal channels, which continue along straight and curved elevations. The combined screen extends an impressive 390 metres in length, with a maximum height of 12 metres.
Most Fins are fixed at 90 degrees from the façade (fully open), creating a uniform external aesthetic. However, a section of Fins fitted to the east-facing elevation are fixed at contrasting angles. Custom brackets have been engineered to achieve 3 alternative angles, these being fully closed, or opened to either 45 or 135 degrees. The combination of Fins fixed at alternating angles creates an interesting ‘wave-effect’ external aesthetic.
The east-facing elevation also accommodates the main entrance of a 75,000 sq ft supermarket. This area features glazed curtain walling, which is stepped back almost two metres from adjacent rainscreen cladding. To continue the line of vertical Fins across the glazed curtain walling, Levolux incorporated its Matrix 910XL Walk-on Brise Soleil system.
Two horizontal walkway panels, formed from extruded aluminium components, provide solar shading to the supermarket’s glazed entrance. The projecting shading structure also supports the vertical Fins and facilitates easy access to the façade for cleaning and maintenance.
The solar shading and screening solution continues onto the west-facing elevation, which accommodates the entrance to a multi-storey car park. Here, vertical Fins create an attractive screen that flows around the car park, following the curved perimeter of the site.
All aluminium Fins used on this project have been given a distinctive and highly durable bronze coloured powder coating, while other aluminium components are finished in light grey. The aluminium walkway panels have been given a silver natural anodised finish.
This ultra-modern, energy efficient development in the centre of Crawley, with its dazzling array of vertical aluminium Fins from Levolux, is making a positive impression on the local community. It has regenerated and reconnected a previously isolated and under-utilised site, transforming it into an iconic town centre landmark.
For more information, please visit www.levolux.com.
