Double and triple track AluK sliding doors and windows form a key element in an award-winning* residential development on Old Ford Road, alongside London’s Hertford Union Canal and overlooking Victoria Park.

Three houses, three duplexes and two flats have replaced derelict storage structures on a tight, 465m2 triangular site developed by Earth Residential. The geometric design, by architects pH+ Architects, echoes both the industrial wharf buildings which characterise the canal side and the Georgian terraces which surround the park.

The development features a distinctive three-storey gabled profile, with large window and door openings across the folding rear façade to maximise the light and the views and smaller openings at the front to reflect the conservation area opposite. The windows and doors are one of the few repeated elements and are key to the consistency of the design.

All of the windows and sliding doors are in AluK profile, fabricated and installed by Ilford based Imperial Glazing. Experienced commercial fabricators, Imperial could meet the eight-week lead time required by main contractors MD Construction and manage the challenges of fabricating, transporting and installing the frames, most of which were 2.8m high to bring as much daylight as possible into the interiors.

The rear of the development overlooking the canal has no rear vehicle access, so all the installation had to be carried out by hand without the use of glass cranes.

At 2.8m, the windows were beyond the tolerances of AluK’s standard 58BW window system, so Imperial fabricated the frames using butt jointed outerframe profiles in AluK’s suited 58BD door system, retaining the slim sightlines, clean lines and sharp angles which are integral to the overall design.

The matching 2.8m high double and triple track BSC94 sliding doors range from 3.8m to 5.4m wide and provide the link out onto the double recessed balconies.

Externally, the slim sightlines and smooth anthracite grey finish ensure that they work well alongside the precision detailing and uniform finish of the Wienerberger brickwork.

They are all PAS24 security accredited to comply with the requirements of Approved Document Q and feature security rated hardware and laminated glass.

Vishal Dubb from Imperial Glazing commented:

“This project was full of interesting challenges, all of which we were able to overcome within the timeframe set by MD Construction. We were even able to meet the requirements of the architect that there should be no external hardware visible on any of the doors on the front elevation and achieve the PAS24 Approved Document Q accreditation required.”

*Old Ford Road was named Small Development of the Year at the 2020 British Homes Awards.