DOORS & WINDOWS
Transforming a dated office block
» SITUATED IN THE CENTRE OF Royal Tunbridge Wells , Heathervale House is a commercial property , which has been used as an office space for decades . Originally clad in brick , slate and hung tile , the building had started to show signs of disrepair , looking tired and dilapidated . To bring it back to life , the building owner developed plans to undertake a wide scale refurbishment and extension of the property . Following a feasibility study , the building was handed across to design-led architectural practice , MortonScarr .
From the outset , MortonScarr recognised how important updated glazing systems would be in improving the aesthetics and performance of the building , both internally and externally . Previously , Heathervale House had featured small , brown-framed windows , which limited how much sunlight those inside the offices received through the day .
TECHNAL Project Consultant , Graeme MacInnes said : “ MortonScarr contacted us at an early stage of the design process to provide the build team with technical advice on how it could best achieve its vision whilst improving the building ’ s external envelope performance . One of the project team ’ s key ambitions was to incorporate more glazing products into the build , to create a much brighter , lighter space .”
The entire façade of the original three-storey building was re-clad with concrete tiles , with interesting projecting brass window boxes also incorporated . The window boxes , which feature TECHNAL systems , added visual relief to the building externally , whilst maximising internal vistas for occupants .
TECHNAL also assisted on a large rear extension , a new glazed lift to the front and two additional fully glazed storeys on top of the existing roof . Flooding the new office spaces with daylight , the large glazed expanses are shaded by two-storey bronze louvres . As a
result , the newly fitted out office now brings in much more natural light than before .
Nick Surtees , an architect at MortonScarr commented : “ At an early stage , we understood the importance of incorporating high-quality , architectural solutions into this build and that ’ s why we chose TECHNAL and got them involved , almost immediately . We found the company to be extremely helpful and always available to answer our technical questions . The team also stuck with the principle package discussed in our initial meeting . Whilst some changes needed to be made along the way , we were always informed and kept in the loop , enabling us to achieve our overall design intent .
“ From specifying replacement casement doors and windows , to providing new frameless curtain walling on the principal façade , the company has helped to ensure this renovation went to plan , as well as providing us with an excellent follow up service .”
TECHNAL supplied a myriad of products within its principle package , including many of the glazed solutions identified at an early stage of design development . This included the company ’ s Dualframe 75 Si Reversible Windows , which provide impressive thermal performance without the need for costly and complex sealed unit specification .
The fabricator on the project was Watfordbased A Plus Windows and the company ’ s joint managing director Jon Palethorpe said : “ A number of curtain walling situations , using the Elegance 52 Standard and the Elegance 52 SX systems were detailed . And to complete the glazing scheme , TECHNAL Stormframe STII High Traffic aluminium doors were installed , which are widely recognised as an exceptional product in terms of performance and fabrication . As well as delivering its product solutions , all the relevant CAD detailing was provided by TECHNAL to ensure accurate planning , manufacture and installation .”
Like many TECHNAL solutions , the Elegance 52 Standard and Elegance 52 SX curtain walling products combine stateof-the-art technology with strong design principles . As a result , the solution helped developers at Heathervale House to meet the stringent demands of contemporary building construction and architecture .
Similarly , the Stormframe STII High Traffic aluminium doors also provide industry-leading performance and high levels of thermal insulation , which enabled the team to achieve a U-value of 1.8 W / m ² k on the project . Most importantly , the use of TECHNAL Dualframe 75 Si Reversible Windows , which benefit from advanced polyamide thermal break technology allowed the developers to meet its goal of incorporating more glazed solutions into the build , whilst also improving the building ’ s thermal performance .
The £ 5 million renovation project is now complete , and with a local business already moved in , the building is already helping the local spa town to maximise its commercial potential , serving as an attractive local landmark that encourages further investment .
www . technal . com / en / uk /
28 » MAR 2021 » CLEARVIEW-UK . COM