It’s rare to see so
many different architectural aluminium window, door and curtain walling product
applications on one house.
Yet at this
impressive home in Cheshire, fully compatible curtain walling, window and a
variety of door systems from Sapa have been installed to create a seamless
appearance, satisfying both client and architect requirements completely.
This contemporary
style, five-bedroom detached house commands a floor area of 10,000sq ft and
includes an indoor swimming pool together with gym and leisure facilities. Rear
facing, the property has been constructed on raised land that slopes down to a
natural stream with breath-taking countryside views beyond.
Design architect and
managing director of Manchester-based Leach Rhodes Walker, Christian Gilham
explains his vision for this dream home: “Creating a sense of light and
maximising the spectacular views were key design priorities. These factors made
the glazing an important element of the build, requiring a systems package that
would deliver the slim sightlines to enhance the views whilst at the same time
creating a uniform architectural appearance.
“We also wanted to
specify a range of systems that provided dual colour capability as well as
contributing first-class thermal and weather performance together with high
security throughout the house.”
Following initial
design meetings with the architect, Sapa provided a full NBS specification for
the aluminium systems with typical through sections and full thermal value
calculations, as well as budget pricing pre-tender to ensure an accurate tender
package.
Meeting the
demanding energy efficient U-value of 1.5 W/m2K, external doors, windows and
curtain walling from the Sapa range were carefully selected for their
compatibility and specified with high performance solar performance glazing
throughout.
Flooding the indoor
swimming pool with light, Sapa’s high-end C160 Aluminium Sliding Door system
has been installed as a six-pane configuration spanning 11m x 3.6m. Engineered
with a user-friendly slide action, the doors glide back easily to create a dramatic
opening onto the exterior marble terrace.
The feature room of
the house is a large kitchen diner and lounge area that runs from the front to
back, opening on to an orangery.
Two sets of Sapa
Sliding Folding Doors have been installed in the orangery. One, featuring a
six-pane run that splits and opens in the middle, the other, a three-pane
configuration that opens to the side - exploiting the open aspect of the rear
and side elevations.
Three striking
gables shape the focus of the house to the rear, with a curved on-plan bay
entrance to the ground floor that features faceted Sapa Dualframe 75 HP
Aluminium Hinged doors. This structure creates a balcony area for the master
bedroom suite at first floor level where Dualframe doors have been installed,
opening out on to the balcony. The doors are framed by a raked head detail,
produced using Elegance 52 curtain walling to mirror the pitch of the roofline.
Sapa Elegance 52
curtain walling has also been used to create a full height feature glazed
entrance screen, ensuring a light and airy entrance hall, together with two
small rooflights that connect the main house to the swimming pool and leisure
suite.
Adding a further
design dimension, the Sapa systems also offer dual colour capability. Finished
in charcoal grey to the exterior, the aluminium systems tie in with the slate
roof, providing a contrast to the rest of the exterior, which features
purpose-made Portuguese limestone and a slightly off-white render. Internally,
the systems are finished in white to blend with the interior design scheme.
The main window
module comprises Sapa Dualframe 75 Si casement and tilt-before-turn windows
throughout the house. All other exterior doors are single and double sets of
Dualframe 75 HP Aluminium Hinged residential doors with high security hardware
across all of the Sapa systems.
One of the
priorities from an installation perspective was to achieve a flush threshold
finish and no upstands, to avoid trips when stepping from inside to out. With
underfloor heating throughout, a precision approach was vital. To achieve this
fabricator and installer, Nottingham-based Bonam & Berry Ltd undertook an
onerous and comprehensive laser survey ensuring every detail was purpose
measured prior to manufacture and installation.
Martin Spencer Bonam
& Berry’s Managing Director highlights another installation requirement,
designed to maintain the aesthetics of the limestone: “Also included in the
brief was the use of non-leaching silicone sealant, to prevent discolouration
of the limestone surrounds.”
He continues: “Bonam
and Berry Ltd has supplied Sapa architectural aluminium products continuously
for almost 40 years, and uses the complete range of Sapa products for
residential, commercial, education and all public and private sector
applications.”
Commenting on the
project’s success, the homeowner said: “We wanted to build a house that was a
bit different. One that gave us plenty of light and space and this design
certainly delivers on both counts. We also wanted it to be high quality with
low maintenance hence us choosing aluminium windows and doors.
“The Sapa team was
so helpful, working with our concept architect initially to ensure the right
products provided the right level of performance, and then with our local
architect and the installer to ensure they had all the relevant drawings and
calculations as required. We love our new home.”
