02 June 2015
Technal Curtain Walling Specified for BREEAM ‘Excellent’ Refurbishment Scheme
Around 1,000m2 of aluminium curtain walling from Technal have been specified for the refurbishment of a major commercial scheme in a conservation area in the heart of Leeds' professional district.
Minerva House is an art deco-style, 10-storey office building constructed in the 1960s. A £5 million refurbishment programme was designed by KPP Architects to transform the development into an exceptional, elegant and highly sustainable commercial scheme, offering 31,000sqft of Grade A office accommodation. The developer is Evans Property Group and the main contractors were Clegg Construction.
Fabricated and installed by Dortech Architectural, Technal's curtain walling systems were integral to help Minerva House reach its full economic and design potential to attract new tenants and business to this area of the city.
The GEODE-MX Visible Grid capped curtain walling was selected to help revitalise each of the building's façades and to create a more contemporary aesthetic. The system also had to be sufficiently adaptable to sit seamlessly within the existing building fabric and concrete structure.
The curtain walling was reconfigured on each elevation from the second to the top floors with projecting feature bays from levels two to six. The original windows were retained and refurbished.
The highly efficient, full height, double glazed Technal curtain walling replaced large areas of the existing glazing and significantly improved the thermal performance of the building whilst maximising natural light and ventilation. Solar control glass helps to reduce glare and other sustainable design features introduced as part of the refurbishment included air source heat pumps to reduce carbon emissions by more than 30 per cent.
Commenting on the project, Mathew Wright, Project Architect at KPP Architects, said, "We believe this scheme sets a new benchmark in office accommodation for the city of Leeds. The glazing offers stunning views across the city centre and has helped to transform this prominent building."
"We have specified Technal façade products on many projects and these systems always meet our clients' requirements. This scheme is no exception and the performance of the curtain walling is excellent. The exterior refurbishment required some extensive design detailing to integrate the new glazing with the existing building fabric and it is working very well."
Glazing systems from Technal were specified by KPP Architects for another Evans Property Group development nearby. Capitol House has also been extensively refurbished, further enhancing the Bond Court area of Leeds. The building features a new double height entrance created from GEODE-MX Visible Grid 'toggle' curtain walling. Capped curtain walling with concealed vents was selected for the remainder of the ground and first floors and Technal's new SOLEAL rebated doors provide access for the main entrance. The fabrication and installation for the Capitol House project was carried out by GlassHUS Architectural Aluminium.
GEODE-MX is a complete curtain walling suite, offering specifiers enhanced thermal performance to meet the most stringent Building Regulations, and the widest choice of aesthetic options from a single system. The Visible Grid option can be specified for both flat and faceted façades and is sufficiently robust to carry large spans and heavy glazing units. It can be integrated with Technal's new SOLEAL window suite or used with projecting top hung open-out, and tilt/turn concealed vents for natural ventilation whilst maintaining an uninterrupted flat façade.
For more information about GEODE-MX curtain walling or the new SOLEAL window and door range from Technal, call 01924 232323, email info.uk@technal.com or visit www.technal.co.uk.
Editor's Notes
1. Technal is a leading global provider of aluminium façades, windows and doors, with a diverse range of products - casements and sliding windows, sliding or pivot doors, curtain walling, conservatories, shutters, solar shading and balustrading.
With a presence on five continents, it offers the highest levels of technical and design innovation, the quality of its raw materials, high production standards and the ability to work in partnership with leading architects and contractors.
Technal has developed a network of approved manufacturers and installers to offer the highest standards of fabrication and installation of its curtain walling, doors and windows.
2. You can now follow Technal on Twitter @TechnalUK, on YouTube - www.youtube.com/user/TechnalUK and on Facebook - www.facebook.com/Technal.UK.
