News
30 | JANUARY 2018
News
Read online at www . proinstaller . co . uk
SOARING GLASS WALL CENTREPIECE
A state-of-the-art office space is often seen as a big part of the brand for fast-growth technology companies . This was the brief for Isle of Man-based architect Savage and Chadwick when asked to design a building at the Douglas headquarters of online gaming software business , Microgaming .
The new building sits adjacent to the company ’ s existing office and both sites connect via a glazed ‘ sky bridge ’ across the road in between the two . Providing office space for the company ’ s rapidly expanding Isle of Man team , the premises plays a key role in attracting and maintaining talent for the company . As well as providing state-ofthe-art office facilities for employees , it also includes a roof terrace , a canteen and coffee bar , a gym and a gallery space .
The main focal point for the building is a full-height wall of Pilkington Planar™ glazing , which rises more than 25 metres tall and spans nine metres wide . This encloses a five-storey atrium , creating a dramatic entrance to the building and flooding its interior with daylight .
Uninterrupted views , controlled climate
To maximise the transparency of the glazing , and provide the best possible views to occupants , the glass is supported by a lightweight tension structure , combined with low-profile stainless steel point fixings .
This avoids the need for any large framing elements , giving the appearance of an almost free-standing wall of glass .
To give added strength to the system and to meet the demanding design criteria , the Pilkington Planar™ system is designed with an outer pane of 12mm-thick Pilkington Suncool™ Pro T – a toughened glass that provides high resistance to wind loads .
In addition to its structural performance , this glass also features an advanced solar control coating that reduces the amount of the sun ’ s energy entering the building while maintaining high levels of transparency .
This helps to reduce the risk of the space overheating during the warmer months of the year , meaning it does not require intensive air conditioning to maintain a comfortable climate and reducing building running costs in the longterm .
An engineered solution
Working closely with designers at Pilkington and IOCHRE , the team developed a bespoke tension structure to support the wall of glazing , which was installed by structural glazing specialist OJ Taffinder .
Ollie Taffinder , managing director at installer OJ Taffinder , said : “ We needed a system that would allow us to create a large , clear façade for the front of the building , without using bulky and unsightly framing .
“ The tension structure is an evolution of more traditional rigid steel structures and provides a very elegant appearance , similar to that which can be achieved with glass fins . The clean lines and low profile of the stainless-steel bolts used by the Pilkington Planar™ system finish the design perfectly , delivering an almost uninterrupted wall of glass .”
www . pilkington . co . uk
CARE AFTER COMBAT
Hallmark Panels Ltd supports Care After Combat , a UK based charity which provides professional assistance for the well-being of veterans and their families . The charities mission is to support veterans with alcohol and substance misuse problems and reduce the numbers of re-offending veterans in the criminal justice system .
Giving back to the community and supporting charitable organisations
‘
an honour and a privilege to be associated with this charity
’ is a fundamental part of the Hallmark ethos . Staff managed to raise £ 250 by wearing Christmas jumpers , buying raffle tickets and making donations , all of which were matched by the company raising a total of £ 500 .
The company directors were invited to the Care After Combat Xmas Bash fundraiser at the Dorchester Hotel in London hosted by charity chairman Jim Davidson .
“ It is both an honour and a privilege to be associated with this charity and we will continue to support them throughout 2018 ,” said Lorraine Snell , MD .
www . hallmarkpanels . com