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 | | UNIVERSITY LEARNS ABOUT AMAZING GLAZING | | | Pilkington Building Products - UK | | 08/07/2008 | | | Pilkington PlanarÔ glazing has transformed the face of the University of Glamorgan thanks to the installation of an impressive 22m high glass façade in the university’s brand new Atrium building in Cardiff city centre.
The glazing forms a walkway between the original teaching building and a new space that is home to a theatre, cinema, television studios, music practice rooms and sound recording studios. The new complex provides a valuable resource to students at the university and the Pilkington PlanarÔ glazing brings dynamism to a previously mundane office block.
High visibility Pilkington OptiwhiteÔ and low emissivity Pilkington Optitherm™ SN were specified within the structural frameless glazing system. Combining the two types of glazing results in a U value of just 1.4 W/m2K, keeping heat in the building whilst providing excellent light transmission and clarity.
The advanced installation process, which was carried out by Pilkington PlanarÔ accredited installers Bridgetown Developments, reflects the huge developments in glass technology Pilkington has pioneered.
Ian Cartwright, Project Manager, Bridgetown Developments, said: “We installed the glass using a motorised twin mast climber platform, which moves easily between levels completely across the façade. This makes it safer and easier to use than scaffolding. The method of installation is an important consideration on such a large and prestigious project. Each pane of glass was heavy and expensive, so we incorporated a steel lifting beam and mobile trolley hook at the head of the façade to provide lifting duties - and to compliment the ease of personnel access via the mast climber.”
Wilco Stekkinger, project architect at Holder Mathias, the architects who designed the building, said: “We were asked to create an open and accessible building, and Pilkington PlanarÔ glazing allowed us to follow the brief quite literally. The large glass façade is very welcoming and helps to foster a creative atmosphere. Using large amounts of glazing encourages the building’s occupants to draw inspiration from the world around them and reinforces the university’s aim to be a transparent institution at the forefront of creative and cultural study.” | |
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