Kings Point Office Complex, Oldham

Architects: Sheppard Robson & AEW Architects
Fabricator: K2 Aluminium Systems Ltd
Main contractor: Caddick Construction Ltd
Type of works: supply of Comar 6EFT curtain-walling and Comar 7P.i doors.

Comar Architectural Aluminium Systems, with its approved fabricator K2 Aluminium Systems Ltd, supplied the Comar 6EFT curtain-walling and Comar 7P.i doors for a new 5 storey office complex located on the King Street Roundabout in Oldham, near Manchester. This complex is in three distinct parts, with the first block comprising of 4 storey all glass elevations and matching ground-floor screens and entrance assembly.

Comar 6EFT 4-sided SG was used, creating a continuous glass-to-glass perspective. Comar 6EFT 4-sided SG was selected due to the extensive range of profiles that caters for large structurally glazed panes. The glazing was challenging, due to the large size of most of the units, and specialised equipment had to be used to lower each unit into place with the units weighing in at 288kg. The double-glazed units (DGUs) were designed with a Pilkington Suncool outer pane, an argon-filled spacer and a heat-soaked 10mm toughened inner pane for barrier load protection. The glazing also included Suncool Green and this was randomly interspaced between clear units. As the majority of the units were 3,200 x 2,250mm, the glass had to be specially ordered from Germany. K2 also designed and installed the large flashing detail feature between floors, again to create an uninterrupted linear perspective.

The centre portion of this building has a rainscreen facade, with Comar 7 auto swing disabled access door, and a revolving entrance door. The final block is brick built with punched Comar 5Pi fixed lights randomly located floor by floor, with matching flashing detail.

All Comar approved fabricators are required to have the technical expertise to attend pre-site meetings and provide detailing. K2 Aluminium Systems liaised closely with the specifiers to provide design advice and detailing which ensured the project ran smoothly and met site deadlines.