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.
