Architect: Wolverhampton City Council (Ian Wood)
Fabricator: Charter Commercial
Main contractor: G.F. Tomlinson Ltd
Project value: £112,000
Type of works: supply of Comar 5P.i windows, Comar 6 curtain walling and Comar 7 doorsets.

Comar Architectural Aluminium Systems, with its approved fabricator and installer Charter Commercial, completed the unusual and contemporary design for a new-build project, Wednesfield Library. Designed by Wolverhampton City Council, this design was selected from numerous designs submitted from architects all over the UK.

Whilst the important U-value was a key consideration, it was equally paramount to maintain the unique radical design features. The main large screen is segmented and concave with lots of compound transom to mullion angles. A combination of Comar 6 stick and ladder-build curtain walling was installed to ensure the whole structure drained correctly. The main-feature segmented screen was particularly challenging for Charter Commercial, not just for the sheer size and complexity, but also for the difficulty of ensuring that the raked transoms achieved the right aesthetics once the screen was put together, forming the curved structure. The angles had to be adjusted very slightly to achieve the appearance of a straight line through the screen. The frames used around the building were fitted into a pressed aluminium casing, supplied and fitted by Charter Commercial, thus ensuring the visual impact sought by the architect was achieved.

For the opening vents, Comar 5P.i. thermally efficient, polyamide-insulated aluminium windows were installed offering outstanding weather performance and low U-values. Comar 5P.i is a 60mm window system that reduces heat loss through the trademark P.i thermal break ensuring low U-values. It is available in a variety of configurations and can be manufactured into casement, tilt-and-turn, pivot, top-swing and sliding windows.

In a busy public environment, Comar 7 commercial doorsets are a natural choice. Not only are they available in swing, pivot, sliding, auto-sliding and sliding/folding, they have been designed specifically for civic applications where high-traffic solutions are required. All aluminium systems were finished in Mid Grey RAL polyester powder coat.

All Comar approved fabricators are required to have the technical expertise to attend pre-site meetings and provide detailing. Comar Architectural Advisors and Charter Commercial liaised closely with the specifiers to provide design advice, which ensured the project conformed to planning requirements, ran smoothly and met site deadlines.