Architectural
glazing systems by leading UK manufacturer Kawneer were specified for a
hat-trick of reasons for the first
development in Ipswich town centre for many years.
Barber Casanovas
Ruffles, who have used Kawneer systems for many years, selected them for a new
£8 million BREEAM "Very good" headquarters building, Providence
House on Princes Street, because they are "tried and tested and a
quality product that's value for money".
On the
ground floor of the 55,000ft2 building office
screens comprise Kawneer's AA®100 zone-drained curtain walling with series 190
heavy-duty entrance doors and fixed lights with 200mm feature face caps in a
mixture of metallic silver and anodised bronze.
The AA®100 curtain
walling also features on the Chalon Street façade as zone and mullion-drained
and with a framing system incorporating spandrel panels as well as on a gable
end with clear glass fixed back to a concrete staircase and separately, with louvre
panels and a pair of series 190 doors.
The rear central
core features more of the AA®100 zone-drained curtain walling with fixed lights
while at the main entrance, the zone-drained AA®100 climbs the full height of
the five-storey building, then returns 90° at roof terrace level to incorporate
AA®3720 bifold doors and two AA®720 thermally superior single-access doors
leading onto a roof garden.
Built over 16 months
on the one-acre site of a former car park and Riley's pool hall by main
contractor SEH French for specialist commercial property developer Churchmanor
Estates, the building has enabled Birketts solicitors, one of the largest
office employers in the town, to bring hundreds of its staff under one roof
from disparate buildings.
Providence House,
which is constructed of steel frame with traditional masonry and part brick
facade, had to be elevated as it was built in a flood zone.
Barber Casanovas
Ruffles said: "The steel frame erection was a landmark stage as the new
building was the first development in the area for many years and it offered a
sense of scale to the development at an early stage."
They added:
"The glazing design responds to the building orientation, aesthetic and
function behind the internal space and the Kawneer systems play an important
part in the design to each façade. All products used on the building were
considered for the overall sustainability of the building long-term.
"The
full-height glazing to the front entrance provides the building with an
identity and sense of approach to the main entrance. To the south the full
glass facade to the staircase makes a showcase of the vertical circulation in a
solid facade. To the north the large expanse of glazing and Kawneer cladding
combine to conceal the escape staircase and then maximise natural daylight to
the office areas. The detailing of projecting caps provides a third dimension
to the window mullions and also mixing the colours accentuates the
module."
The Kawneer systems
were installed over four months by a team of up to eight operatives from
approved dealer Elliston Steady and Hawes (Aluminium). The mullions of the
curtain walling at the main entrance had to be reinforced with steel so it
could span the ground to second floor levels without intermediate support.
Following completion
Birketts entered into a long-term lease with the created investment being sold
to Ipswich Borough Assets, a wholly-owned entity of Ipswich Borough
Council.
