Cambridge Water Company

Client: Cambridge Water Company
Architect: Barbers Casanovas Ruffles
Type of works: Pilkington Planar™,Pilkington Optifloat™, Pilkington K Glass™, Pilkington Optilam™ specified for award-winning renovation

The headquarters of Cambridge Water Company, who supplies water to customers in South Cambridgeshire, was originally a water softening plant that was converted into offices in the 1980s. During its latest renovation, the original north façade of the building was preserved, with an entirely new edifice constructed around it. Designed by Cambridge architect Barbers Casanovas Ruffles, the impressive juxtaposition of old and new sees the original 1930s façade encapsulated within the modern building. The preservation of the building’s original architectural features, and the innovation and high quality of the design, resulted in the new office building receiving the David Urwin Award 2006 from Cambridge City Council "for an outstanding contribution to the townscape of Cambridge".

The building’s original north façade is now surrounded by two-storey high walls of Pilkington Planar™ structural double glazing. The outer panes of the insulating glass units have a Green body tint for solar control, while the inner panes are low-E Pilkington K Glass™, a specification which demonstrates the ability of Pilkington Planar™ to incorporate a plethora of glass types.

Featuring the same glazing specification as the north elevation, the new south-facing wall is angled as a means of solar control. David Masters, a technologist at Barber Casanovas Ruffles, explained: “With two rows of 1,500mm high windows between rows of curtain walling, and a south-facing elevation, we wanted to achieve a high level of natural daylight for the occupants of the building. This was achieved by providing a 70° angled glazed wall to reduce the solar gain together with soft landscaping at ground floor to reduce reflective light. The result is a light, airy and pleasant internal working environment.”

Pilkington Planar™ structural glazing is also used in a rear canopy and roof light, as well as in external balustrades and guarding walls for the front staircase. David concluded: “We knew we wanted to use glass for the project, it offers a modern look and is practical for the purpose of showcasing the original structure. When it came to specification, we chose Pilkington to supply the glass because they are one of the leaders in their field and were able to offer all the specifications the design required.”

Pilkington Planar™ glazing specification

External front façade and south facing elevation
348m² double-glazed insulating glass units comprising of:
Outer pane: 10mm Pilkington Optifloat™ Green (toughened and heat soaked)
Airspace: 16mm
Inner pane: 6mm Pilkington K Glass™ (toughened and heat soaked)

Rear canopy
93m² single-glazed 19.52mm laminated glass comprising of:
Pane 1: 12mm Pilkington Optifloat™ Clear (toughened and heat soaked)
Interlayer: 1.52mm
Pane 2: 6mm Pilkington Optifloat™ Clear (heat strengthened)

Roof light
28m² double-glazed insulating glass units comprising of:
Outer pane: 10mm Pilkington Optifloat™ Green (toughened and heat soaked) with an 80% White dot matrix screen print
Airspace: 16mm
Inner pane: 9.5mm Pilkington Optilam™ K (laminated)

Balustrades and staircase guarding walls
136m² 19mm Pilkington Optifloat™ Clear (toughened and heat soaked).