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 | | GLAZING EXPERTS ASSIST AWARD WINNING REGENERATION SCHEME | | | Solaglas | | 10/10/2006 | | |
Solaglas Contracting Midlands have just completed a civic regeneration scheme in Shropshire transforming Craven Arms' disused cattle auction yard into a state-of-the-art office, retail and residential development.
The new Auction Yard consisting of two multi-storey blocks, a public square and an open-air market provides a vibrant new focal point for the market town. The scheme created by concept architect Mark Newell of Baart Harries Newell, is designed to breathe new life into Craven Arms, attracting new jobs and further investment.
Mark Newell worked closely with South Shropshire Council to create the landmark scheme where environmental considerations such as natural ventilation were given a high priority. Fenestration is a prominent feature to all elevations of the site and developers Bluestone, who won the £7.5m building contract, awarded the glazing project to Solaglas Contracting Midlands based on their expertise and innovative approach to complex environmental glazing projects.
A combination of materials was chosen to reflect the surroundings, brickwork to match that of other Craven Arms buildings combined with more unusual cedar and zinc coated aluminium-based cladding and roofing to provide a counterpoint. Other architectural challenges included successfully incorporating an existing oak tree complete with tree preservation order into the scheme.
Since completion, the Auction Yard has been independently assessed and rated the BREEAM award of 'excellent', the top accolade for the UK construction and property sectors for best practice in environmental design and construction.
The first block, Drover's House overlooks the newly created public square and comprises over 630 square metres of retail and office space to the first and second storeys. On the third storey are nine affordably priced residential apartments.
The second block, The Gateway, provides four-storey office space for public service bodies; Shropshire County Council, South Shropshire Housing Association and the Primary Care Trust. The facade consists of Technal curtain walling, FXi46 and FXi65 windows separated by brickwork and cedar cladding. As part of the office block directly faces the A49 road, part of the original specification included special acoustic requirements as well as natural ventilation.
To achieve this, a series of Labyrinth style windows were specially designed by the architect and created by Solaglas. Independently operated inner and outer single glazed 6.4mm clear laminated panels are divided by a gap of 250mm. Electronic actuators automatically open the windows at opposite angles according to internal temperatures to provide ventilation.
Other glazing includes 6mm SGG Securit Coolite 469 offering special solar reflective properties combined with 6mm SGG Securit. 6mm SGG Decorglass patterned glass is installed in some privacy areas whereas in others window frames have been fitted with cedar panels rather than glass.
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Curtain Walling , Sealants , Glass Machinery , Partitions , Solar Shading , Housebuilding , Flats & Apartments , Other , Offices , Retail , Other
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