REHAU GENEO® windows, fabricated by commercial specialists Solar Windows, have been installed throughout a new workshop building at Cambridge Regional College which is expected to achieve a BREEAM Excellent rating.
The windows, which are fabricated using REHAU’s Passivhaus certified six chamber GENEO® profile system, were specified by architects Pick Everard on the basis of their thermal efficiency and slim sight lines.
GENEO® is extruded using a high-tech fibre composite material branded RAU-FIPRO®. It is an exceptionally strong, self reinforced profile design which does not require additional steel thus eliminating the thermal bridges through which energy can be lost in conventional PVC-U frames.
At Cambridge Regional College, the windows feature 32mm and 28mm double glazed sealed units achieving a G-value of between 0.41 and 0.56.
Some of the windows are up to 2.5m high x 2.5m wide which would have required bulky frames and substantial steel reinforcement in conventional PVC-U but, in REHAU GENEO®, the self reinforced frames are just 86mm.
Pick Everard specified the GENEO® windows in an anthracite grey for the project to match the cladding used on the exterior of the new £3m steel framed building.
They worked closely with REHAU’s specialist commercial sales team on the scope of works for the windows and selected Solar Windows for the fabrication and installation from REHAU’s list of specialist REHAU GENEO® fabricators.
Solar Windows, based in Caerphilly is one of the UK’s leading commercial fabricators and manufactures frames in REHAU GENEO® alongside REHAU’s TOTAL70 PVC-U system.
The new construction workshop provides nearly 1,000m² of workshop space at the further education college for training school leavers, apprentices and adults in bricklaying. It also contains dedicated areas for plastering training and well equipped classrooms.
