A three-storey atrium, created using the Pilkington Planar™ structural glazing system and Pilkington Suncool™, gives St James’s Place HQ an impressive centrepiece to welcome employees, clients and partners.

The space sits between the two major elements of the building and is enclosed by a 12.8 metre tall vertical entrance screen and glazed roof.

The roof is supported by stainless steel rod tension structure, while the entrance screen features full-height glazed fins, which provide structural strength without compromising on transparency.

The fixings used in the installation are unique to the Pilkington Planar™ Intrafix system and utilise the Planar 905J stainless steel fittings in the vertical screen and Planar 902 fittings on the roof, in conjunction with the Planar Nexus castings.

All of the glass is toughened and heat soak tested to provide strength and security to the design, and the double-glazed units that make up the surface consist of an outer 6mm pane of glass – incorporating a high-performance 6mm Pilkington Suncool™ 50/25 Pro T solar-control coating to help reduce heat build-up in warmer months. This reduces transmission of energy from the sun to just 27 per cent, while allowing 46 per cent light transmission.

On the roof, the inner pane is 19.5mm Sentry Glas® laminated utilising Pilkington Optifloat™ toughened and heat soak tested glass, while on the entrance screen it is a single 15mm Pilkington Optifloat™ toughened and heat soak tested glass.

Between the panes of glass is a 16mm-thick argon-filled cavity, contributing to the high level of thermal insulation delivered by the system.

The high-energy performance of the glazing has helped towards the project’s BREEAM Very Good rating.