Hox Haus students stay cool with Pilkington solar-control glass

Hox Haus students stay cool with Pilkington solar-control glass

Students at Royal Holloway University of London can now find Pilkington Suncool™ glass at the brand new, architect-designed Hox Haus private accommodation and social hub in Egham, Surrey.

The privately-owned Hox Haus is an extended and re-modelled Grade II listed Victorian gymnasium a short distance from Royal Holloway, University of London.

The project blends original Victorian brickwork with two new glazed 'light box' additions which will provide students with light-filled spaces in which to work, socialise and relax.

In order to maximise the benefits that the glazing delivers to students using the facility, a structurally-glazed curtain-wall system from manufacturer Raico was selected for the project.

The system ensures that, externally, only a narrow silicone joint remains visible between each pane of glass, maximising sight-lines in and out of the building while minimising obstructions to natural light entering.

The glass used throughout features the high-performance Pilkington Suncool™ 66/33 solar-control coating. This allows just 33 per cent of the sun’s energy to pass through, significantly reducing the heating effect on the interior, while 66 per cent of light is allowed in, maintaining excellent brightness and views.

Further solar control is provided by the shading created by anodised metal fins that project from the glazed wall in key areas, a feature that also adds a distinctive contemporary aesthetic to the design.

Michael Metcalfe, national sales manager - UK processing, at Pilkington United Kingdom Limited, part of the NSG Group said: “In any building that has large areas of glass, there will always be a risk of excessive heat build-up, which can result in either an uncomfortable environment for occupants or high running costs and poor environmental performance if high levels of air-conditioning are used.

“Our solar-control coatings are engineered to minimise this effect, making it easier to maintain an ideal temperature all year round without compromising on the advantages large areas of glazing bring to a building.”

David Holt, Founder of architects and designers 74 said: “We wanted to create a light-filled and largely transparent overall space that brings the outside in, references the building’s semi-rural location and offers a warm, comfortable and relaxing home-from-home for students. The interior feel was to be like a country retreat or clubhouse-with-a-twist.

“Fostering social interaction was at the heart of the design, and the glazed elements play a key role in that. We wanted all of the spaces, even those intended for individual study – to feel connected.”

Paul Williams, managing director at Vitrine Systems, said: “The combination of Pilkington solar-control glazing and the state-of-the-art Raico structural glazing units means students will get maximum benefit from working in a bright and airy space, whilst having beautiful views of the surrounding countryside.

Hox Haus opens its doors to students for the 2019-2020 academic year.

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