Somerset College of Arts & Technology, Taunton

Somerset College of Arts & Technology, Taunton

Architects: Lacey, Hickie & Caley.
Main Contractor: Rokbuild.
Type of works: Comar 2, 5P.i, 5lt ,6 & 7

This outstanding complex for Somerset College of Art & Technology in Taunton was envisaged to mirror the urban setting of the college and at the same time to state its function. A Comar approved fabricator, was involved in the £1m renovation project which ran for two and a half years. The centre point of the campus is the spectacular logo-incorporating new main entrance - The Atrium. It is composed of Comar 6 curtain walling, which directly incorporates Comar 7 auto-swing doors with anti-finger trap stiles. The adjacent buildings on either side of the main entrance feature Comar 5 windows, powder-coated in blue to match the colour of the wall cladding.

The four-storey building to the left of the atrium was fitted with top-hung ribbon Comar 5P.i. windows, powder coated in blue-grey. Comar 5P.i. are thermally efficient polyamide insulated aluminium windows which offer outstanding weather performance and low U-values. The four rows of windows, which emphasise horizontal lines of the façade, are interrupted by the bold intercepting vertical curtain walling of the glazed atriums, spanning all four levations to the eaves. These were achieved with Comar 6 stick-built curtain walling, which is ideal for on-site construction. Comar 7 manually operated doors are hung directly onto Comar 6, allowing for 50mm slim sight lines throughout the façade and, thus, contribute to the look of light and space.

The external envelope for the newly built three-storey E Block was fitted with Comar 5lt windows with slim 45mm sight lines, powder coated in grey-blue. The windows of standard size were glazed with part tinted glass. The window system integrated into Kingspan insulated panels by means of special Kingspan adaptor extrusions giving the façade a “flush” finish.

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

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