Architectural
glazing systems by leading UK manufacturer Kawneer were specified for their
"robustness and quality" for two
linked 16-storey apartment blocks on the last plot to be developed in one
of Britain's fastest-growing property hot spots.
Kawneer's AA®100
curtain walling features as strip curtain wall to copper-coloured rainscreen
areas of the £37 million BTR (Build To Rent) towers at Erie
Basin in Salford Quays, Manchester, a stone's throw from MediaCityUK.
In addition, the
manufacturer's AA®110 curtain walling features on link bridges and as
floor-to-ceiling screens facing the water. While the AA®100 system uses 50mm
sightlines, the AA®110 system uses 65mm but both in this case were
zone-drained. They are complemented by AA®541 open-out casement window inserts
and AA®720 ultra thermally-efficient entrance doors.
The Kawneer systems
were installed over eight months by a team of up to 35 from approved specialist
sub-contractor FK Group for main contractor GRAHAM and client Glenbrook, the
privately-owned property development and investment company, who acquired the
site from the Peel Group.
The prominent
dockside development is GRAHAM's second project with Glenbrook, with work also
underway on another £27 million BTR project in Ellesmere Street, Castlefield,
Manchester, which also features Kawneer systems.
At the
220,000ft2 Erie Basin development, which features one, two and
three-bedroomed apartments with tenant lounge, gym, private elevated garden
terrace and undercroft car parking, the Kawneer aluminium systems were
specified by regular Kawneer users Sheppard Robson Architects.
A spokesperson said:
"We specify Kawneer systems because they are robust, quality products. The
curtain wall was integral to the visual impact of the picture-frame gable ends
to the north and south elevations. The strip curtain wall glazing to east and
west elevations alternates in plan at every third floor to tie in to the rhythm
of the dynamic folded aluminium rainscreen façade.
"The Kawneer
materials interfaced well with the other materials used on the project from a
performance perspective (air tightness etc) and the client is very
pleased."
GRAHAM's contract
director on the project, Graeme Moffat, said: "Despite some demanding
ground conditions, we have been able to help Glenbrook realise the Erie Basin
project through an innovative foundation and concrete frame solution.
"This is our
third BTR scheme in the Greater Manchester area and we see residential
continuing as a key sector for us, building on our portfolio of experience with
large-scale apartment, student accommodation and hotel projects across the
UK."
The project was
forward-funded by Moorfield which has also backed two other Glenbrook projects
in the North West.
Glenbrook projects
director Stuart McCrone said: "We have brought an exceptional product to
an already high-quality destination that is improving day by day. The
performance of the project team has been exemplary and now complete, Erie Basin
raises the bar for BTR accommodation in Salford Quays."
