Month: December 2020

Providing architectural definition for the unique City Campus at Canterbury Christ Church

Posted on by Anna Rainey

The new £64.5m City Campus for Canterbury Christ Church University, delivered by Hamilton Architects, is a 18,000 sqm state of the art STEM teaching facility dedicated to science, technology, engineering and medicine. The four-storey building will accommodate around 2,500 staff and students. This was a complex project due to the varied requirements of the academic departments.

A range of Metal Technology’s extensive architectural glazing systems were specified by Hamilton Architects, including System 17 Curtain Walling to highlight the wide expanses of fixed glazing which allows light to permeate into the building. Further products specified were Tilt & Turn windows from Metal Technology’s  5-35 Hi+ range, High insulation 5-20 D Hi+ Doors as well as our System 22 Brise Soleil solar shading system.

 

The STEM building is just one element of the overall development of the university estate, which will take up to 15 years to complete at an overall cost of more than £150m. For this project, Hamilton Architects forged a partnership with Canterbury architecture practice Hazle McCormack Young, with Gilbert-Ash as the main contractor.

Used in isolation or in an integrated scheme, Metal Technology systems provide structural integrity, weather performance, thermal enhancement and security, together with creative and design freedom to deliver superb results, as evidenced by this fantastic education facility.

 

In the fast lane with Craigavon’s new multi-million pound South Lake Leisure Centre

Posted on by Anna Rainey

An expansive multi-use sports and leisure facility, South Lake Leisure Centre is one of the most significant recent investments in health, fitness and wellbeing in Northern Ireland. Designed by McAdam Design Ltd and undertaken by ABC Council, the cutting-edge building has been specifically designed for people with disabilities, providing accessibility for all users.

Located overlooking the stunning Craigavon Lakes, South Lake Leisure Centre features a brand new 50 metre, eight-lane swimming pool, a young children’s indoor leisure water feature, a 1,000m² state-of-the-art gym, as well as a multi-court sports hall, squash courts, multiple studios, soft play area, a health & wellbeing suite and an on-site café. It also incorporates an outdoor water sports provision offering a wide range of water based activities including windsurfing, water skiing and paddle sports.

Metal Technology Ltd supplied its architectural glazing systems for the project through approved fabricator D&K Architectural Systems to project supply chain partner Farrans. The façade glazing package included its System 17 Curtain Walling, System 4-35Hi+ Thermal Casement Windows, System 5-20DHi+ Thermal Doors, System 22 Brise Soleil and System 23 Louvres. As showcased by this development, all of Metal Technology’s systems are designed to perform seamlessly together to deliver the desired aesthetic and performance standards.

 

Commenting on the project, Tony Rosbotham, Architectural Advisor / Business Development Manager at Metal Technology says, “The design team wanted to deliver large grids of curtain walling to provide as much of a glass wall façade effect as possible and this was achieved by installing larger mullions and transoms from our suite of profiles. A bespoke Brise Soleil bracket was also utilised to integrate our solar shading solution into the curtain walling. We are delighted with how the façade looks aesthetically and the level of light introduced into the building through the large panes of glass, which is great for a public use facility.”

Metal Technology’s glazing solutions offer complete design flexibility for creative expression, with the assurance of value engineered structural, weather and security performance.