September 2021 - Metal Technology

The £12.2 million restoration and development of the Grand Opera House, Belfast has recently been completed. The project was delivered by specialist construction firm, Tracey Brothers Ltd, architects Consarc Design Group and more than 60 sub-contractors.

The design of the foyer and public spaces has been totally reimagined, with a new bar installed in the restored 1980 glass extension overhanging Great Victoria Street, as well as beautifully refurbished stalls and circle bars. The auditorium’s paintings and decorative and ornate plasterwork was painstakingly restored and conserved, as well as new seating, carpets, curtains and drapes installed.

The exterior of the building has also undergone a significant facelift, with extensive restoration of the beautiful 1985 listed building designed by Frank Matcham. The 2006 Baby Grand extension has also been reimagined – the new façade has a contrasting, contemporary aesthetic, while complementing the historical Matcham building. Using as much transparent glass as possible, the project utilised an Akzo Nobel Steel Bronze Anodic paint finish as well as various face caps and silicone pointing. To achieve a u-value of 1.6w/m2k across the built glazed façade, a range of Metal Technology Ltd’s systems were used in conjunction with solar control glass.

Systems used in the scheme: System 4-35Hi+ Thermal Casement Windows, System 5-20DHi+ Thermal Heavy-Duty Doors, System 10 Automatic Sliding Commercial Doors, System 17 Capped Curtain Walling, System 17 Silicone Pointed Curtain Walling.

The landmark Health Innovation One building is an innovation hub offering co-location space for external organisations as well as being the new home for Lancaster University’s Medical School and Division of Health Research. The space is designed to encourage collaboration, where external organisations can draw upon the University’s expertise to address significant health challenges and improve health and wealth outcomes in the region and beyond.

Architects John McAslan + Partners sought to realise the University’s ambition to establish itself as a major international presence in the field of Health and Medicine through the design of this new HIC. JMP’s campus masterplan will bring together businesses, the NHS, students and academics from a broad range of disciplinary backgrounds. Central to this campus is the Innovation Hub, representing phase one of the development.

The scheme comprises a café, quiet reading areas, private meeting rooms, open breakout zones and a business lounge for more formal conversations. Close consultation with the University’s Faculty of Health and Medicine has resulted in a scheme that offers maximum flexibility, the promotion of interdisciplinary working and collaboration, the provision of exceptional working and learning environments, and a holistic building design that is sustainable and energy efficient, targeting an ‘Outstanding’ BREEAM standard.

To achieve this performance for the £3M glazing package, fabricator Alucraft working to main contractor BAM Construct, utilised Metal Technology’s System 17 Curtain Walling in a bronze anodised finish and from our ranges, System 5-20D Doors and 5-20 windows.