GEODE MX Curtain Wall encloses quick-build city centre apartment building

GEODE MX Curtain Wall encloses quick-build city centre apartment building

Wolverhampton based Breakwells Glass was awarded its £1.2 million contract to design, supply and install the MX52 Visible Grid curtain walling on the 18-storey Lansdowne House at One Hagley Road as a result of its past success on projects for Interserve.

Crucial to the main contractor’s winning tender, however, was a rethink from in-situ construction to a precast concrete solution, which placed special demands on its supply chain: which included just a 60 minute delivery window available for units to be off-loaded directly to the required locations.

Thanks to Interserve’s skilful site management, including use of electronic scheduling technology and Breakwells’ precise planning of transport from its own factory 25 miles away – as well as glazing suppliers in Scotland – one floor of the building was completed every fortnight throughout the build period in 2017 to 2018. The development has created 207 rental apartments for developer, Severn Capital.

The ‘critical path’ for the project even included waterproofing one of the upper intermediate floor decks in order to permit the apartments below to be plastered and fully fitted out; while the MX Curtain Wall with FY open-out windows provided immediate weatherproofing to the elevations as well as long-term energy efficiency.

MX52 Visible Grid curtain walling offers specifiers the option of creating larger glazing areas due to the enhanced strength and reduced deflection of the transom sections.

Varying Insulated Glazing (IG) unit thicknesses can be incorporated into the grid, with the option of concealed vents to achieve natural ventilation. There is also an additional option of a 62mm module for the MX Visible Grid vertical façade.

In this case all the windows were glazed with 28.4mm units containing a 6mm SGG Planatherm 1-ii Low-E outer leaf with black, warm edge spacer in the 16mm argon filled cavity, then a 6.4mm Planiclear laminated inner pane. This offers a centre pane U-value of 1.0 W/m2 K and a G-value of 0.49, while the whole assembly delivers very good airtightness.

Company Director David Breakwell, commented: “We have been using Technal’s systems for 30 years and had previously supplied and installed numerous flagship developments for Interserve such as the business school for Wolverhampton and the Alumno student accommodation development in Leamington Spa establishing good working relationships – proving influential in securing this job.”

“Due to the accelerated build programme we were having to keep pace with the installation of the precast wall units – extending the mast-climbers and adhering to the one hour window for our just-in-time van deliveries. It was also necessary to plan the installations in with the working arc of the tower crane’s position.”

The frame sections and external louvres were finished in RAL 7016 Matt, while the outward opening windows were all fitted with restrictors and locking handles. The installation work was completed early 2018.

Technal is part of the Hydro Group, a world leader in aluminium solutions. Through its globally renowned Hydro Technology Hubs, the group is shaping a sustainable future, with innovative products that satisfy and surpass customer expectations, in line with demands of CSR and increasing environmental regulations.

Add to Project Board

Create a new project board:


View Sustainable Aluminium Curtain Walling Product Entry
TECHNAL

TECHNAL

Imagination makes the world go around. At TECHNAL, it’s a driving force and way of doing things – allowing them to move forward, innovate and inspire. Where others see just a window, TECHNAL see cutting-edge technology that benefits users and the...
View company profile
T01684 853 500
Einfo.uk@technal.com
WVisit TECHNAL's website
 Hydro Building Systems UK, Severn Drive, Tewkesbury, Gloucestershire, GL20 8SF

Make an enquiry to TECHNAL

You may also be interested in this related Case Study: TECHNAL Facade Systems specified at six Welsh College Sites Read Now