Innovative glazing system at waterfront development

Innovative glazing system at waterfront development

GLASSOLUTIONS designed and installed a VS-1 system with the sufficient structural strength capable of withstanding a significant wave load as part of the £80.11 million construction of the new V&A Museum of Design Dundee.

As the centrepiece of Dundee’s £1 billion waterfront regeneration programme, the construction of V&A Dundee on a former reclaimed dock site located on the banks of the River Tay is due to open in the second half of 2018.

GLASSOLUTIONS was tasked with creating a flush mullion profile which would provide uniformity and consistency across all of the building’s elevations, as well as being capable of withstanding the marine environment next to the River Tay.

As part of the striking new construction, GLASSOLUTIONS was awarded the contract to manufacture and install a building envelope comprising the Contracting division’s flagship VS-1 curtain walling system; due to the building’s waterfront location, this was required to be capable of withstanding a considerable wave load, as high as 32,000 pascals.

Streamlined aesthetics were achieved using the VS-1 installation by installing a bespoke mullion with thicker side walls, allowing the fixings to be countersunk. This vertical-only structure means that the glass wall visually ‘floats’, presenting an entirely glazed surface that lets in as much daylight as possible to enhance the building’s visual appeal as well as the comfort of its occupants.

For the aspects of the building’s envelope fitted with the VS-1 system, GLASSOLUTIONS developed a bespoke mullion profile which could be utilised on all screens and would be able to accommodate the potential 32kN/m2 ‘wave load’.

A further challenge of the installation project was ensuring that the building’s complex external structure would be able to accommodate the specified glazing profile. Surveying all of the window and majority of screen openings ensured that GLASSOLUTIONS’ fully fabricated duplex stainless steel perimeter frames could be seamlessly installed, with no compromises required to create the architect’s desired vision

Factoring in the building’s close proximity to the River Tay, the internal paint finish of the VS-1 system was installed by GLASSOLUTIONS to a very high marine grade. All external works were anodised or of duplex stainless steel composition.

GLASSOLUTIONS incorporated a shadow box detail to each of the building’s terrace screens to conceal the parapet roof build-up. This allowed the blind and fixing brackets to be concealed from external view, while the soffit detail concealed them from the internal.

Add to Project Board

Create a new project board:


T(024) 7654 7400
F(024) 7654 7799
Eenquiries@glassolutions.co.uk
WVisit Glassolutions's website
 Herald Way, Binley, Coventry, CV3 2ZG

Make an enquiry to Glassolutions

You may also be interested in this related Case Study: Cala Homes creates high end homes for luxurious living with Origin Read Now