Kawneer systems help rejuvenate the UK's oldest business school

Latest News Tue, Nov 10, 2020 2:37 PM

Kawneer's market-leading curtain wall, window and door products feature on University House at the University of Birmingham.

Architectural glazing systems by leading UK manufacturer Kawneer were specifically selected for a £18.5 million extension to the UK's oldest business school for their ability to meet the building's design aesthetic and high-performance requirements.

Multiple Kawneer products, including two curtain wall systems, two door products and three window variations, were used by main contractor Morgan Sindall Construction for the University House project, a gateway to the University of Birmingham's city centre campus.

The University House building is steeped in history and heritage as it was originally established as the School of Commerce in 1902. The Grade II listed Business School building was formerly the first halls of residence for female students and was converted to its current use in the 1960s.

The new 3,000m2 extension features Kawneer's AA®110 and AA®100 mullion-drained curtain wall systems with capped and capless mullions as well as AA®100 zone-drained fully-capped curtain wall. The AA®100 system, with 50mm sightlines, was used in all areas with the exception of two full-height curtain wall screens which featured on the building's ‘social space' characteristic that utilised the AA®110 system with 65mm sightlines.

In addition, Kawneer's series 350 and AA®720 HI thermally-superior entrance doors were used alongside AA®720 HI windows as fixed lights, side-hung open-in inserts and electrically-operated bottom-hung open-in inserts.

Glancy Nicholls Architects were appointed to design a building that provided a cellular and multi-occupancy space for the school's academic staff, with student break-out spaces along with refurbished professional services, staff offices and enhanced café and catering facilities.

There were a number of challenges on site with available space as it was situated adjacent to the original building, surrounded on two sides by heavy perimeter landscaping/trees and bordered by a formal lawn. Glancy Nicholls designed and developed a series of offices located around a central atrium space, with connections back into the existing building at ground and first-floor levels.

Glancy Nicholls director Simon Jesson said: "The Kawneer systems were selected by the sub-contractor to meet the stringent thermal performance requirements along with the high-quality detailing required by the planners.

"To maximise the daylighting the elevation incorporated large windows but also required user control of the ventilation as well as glare control. The system was able to provide the aesthetic requirements for incorporating silicone jointing to minimise the impact of the frame on the proportions of the windows.

"The relationship to the brickwork cladding, the stone and the glass-to-glass corners on the bay windows was managed efficiently with the necessary trims and recessed details to maintain a clean-looking façade."

The Kawneer glazing systems were installed by specialist sub-contractor and Kawneer dealer Duplus Architectural Systems.

Simon Jesson added: "Planning sensitivities were considerable with the massing of the building required to be sited adjacent to the listed building without dominating the elevation, but being contemporary with high-quality materials, in this case multi bricks and an Indiana limestone cladding system, complemented by the anodised bronze high-performance windows.

"The south elevation was a considerable challenge, with projecting bay windows that allowed daylight and a view of the formal lawn but were screened to adjacent landowners. The triple-glazed glass-to-glass corner projecting past the line of the cladding was a key design feature."

He concluded: "The client is really pleased by the overall look and feel of the building. The elevations are a contemporary aesthetic which complement the existing listed building."

For more information on Kawneer products and how they can help benefit your next project please visit www.kawneer.co.uk.

Featured News

Specification news
Abloy’s Aperio E100 and SMARTair solutions achieve...

Abloy UK is proud to announce its Aperio E100 and SMARTair solutions have...

Read More >>

Specification news
Hardie® Architectural Panel Chosen For Go Modular...

Beam Contracting, the high-end construction firm, has chosen to utilise the Hardie®...

Read More >>

BUILDING PRODUCT LIBRARY - LATEST BROCHURES

REVO.Prime TSA 325 NT Brochure

REVO.Prime TSA 325 N...
By GEZE UK Ltd

Download Now >>

Natural ventilation strategy for Sunderland SEND school Brochure

Natural ventilation...
By Passivent

Download Now >>

Squash Court Flooring Brochure

Squash Court Floorin...
By Junckers Limited

Download Now >>

Junckers Acoustics Floor System Brochure

Junckers Acoustics F...
By Junckers Limited

Download Now >>

BUILDING PRODUCT DIRECTORY - LATEST PRODUCTS

Ei1025 Environmental Sensor
Ei1025 Environmental Sensor

Discreet and secure, the Ei1025 Environmental Sensor can be placed throughout a property to monitor...

Read More >>

Ei1000G SmartLINK Gateway
Ei1000G SmartLINK Gateway

The Gateway and Cloud portal use Aico’s SmartLINK technology to bring together data from all...

Read More >>

Ei3030 Multi-Sensor Fire and Carbon Monoxide Alarm
Ei3030 Multi-Sensor Fire and Carbon Monoxide Alarm

The Ei3030 is a multi-sensor Fire & Carbon Monoxide (CO) Alarm. Containing our proven and dependable...

Read More >>

CONSTRUCTION VIDEOS - LATEST VIDEOS

Forma aluminium column casings for Winchester College
Forma aluminium column casings for Winchester College

In progressive and dynamic business sectors, such as construction, it’s natural to be forward...

Watch Now >>

Decorative metal bulkheads & column casings for Tesco Extra, Birmingham
Decorative metal bulkheads & column casings for Tesco Extra, Birmingham

Decorative aluminium horizontal bulkheads more than 100 metres long have been supplied and installed...

Watch Now >>

Vecta building linings for the perfect finish
Vecta building linings for the perfect finish

More than 150 sq.m of Vecta aluminium wall lining and a feature bulkhead have been manufactured and...

Watch Now >>