Tag: System 5-35 High Performance Thermally Enhanced Tilt & Turn Window

Metal Technology solutions used in exceptional new Belfast student accommodation scheme

Posted on by Anna Rainey

The first Vita Student residence to open in Northern Ireland, the building boasts 269 beautifully decorated self-contained studio apartments with extensive breakout, social study areas throughout the building. The ‘all-in’ living experience includes utility bills, speedy connectivity, a state-of-the-art gym, bookable private dining and study rooms, a cinema, over 60 cycling spaces, and a design-led hub space for studying and co-working. The 15-storey building also offers amazing city skyline views via its roof terrace.

Situated on the corner of Bruce Street and Little Victoria Street, the property is ideally located to cater for students from Queens University Belfast and Ulster University. The project was a fast-tracked construction, completed within an 18-month construction period by McAleer & Rushe. Designed by TODD Architects with a red brick façade, the Vita Student Belfast building complements its existing surroundings and delivers a BREEAM Very Good rating.

Metal Technology’s architectural glazing systems were specified for the project via approved fabricator, Omagh Aluminium systems, delivering the necessary acoustic performance (due to its city centre location) and thermal requirements (a u-value of 1.4w/m2k) across the built glazed façade.

Metal Technology also designed a project specific solution to create continuous louvres on the external face of the façade and the windows utilised a new opening and safety control mechanism to facilitate safe operation of room ventilation for its occupants.

Metal Technology systems used: System 17 Curtain Walling, THERMAL System 5-35 Hi+ Tilt and Turn Windows, THERMAL System 5-20D Hi+ Heavy Duty Doors, THERMAL System 10-35 Hi+ Automatic Sliding Entrance Door and System 23 Glazed-In Louvres.

Metal Technology systems used in Oxford’s new groundbreaking SuperLab

Posted on by Anna Rainey

The extraordinary, purpose built SuperLab in Oxford provides much needed lab space and fantastic facilities for the next generation of science entrepreneurs and innovators. The new state-of-the-art building is located close to the city centre and the university, which spins out around 15 science firms a year.
 
Created and built by Oxford-based Robin Swailes Design and Development, the SuperLab offers almost 7,000 sq ft of accommodation for up to 84 staff and blends contemporary design with the latest efficiency features while meeting the needs of the modern workforce. The building is made of 95 per cent recycled aluminium and features a grey water system using collected rainwater to flush the toilets, thermal efficient panelling, air source heat pumps and solar panels to minimise its carbon footprint and keep running costs as low as possible.
 
Metal Technology Ltd supplied a range of its high-performance glazing products for this unique development via approved fabricator Alternative Windows. Products used were: System 17 Curtain Walling, System 5-35Hi Tilt Turn Windows, System 4-35Hi Fixed Casement Windows and System 10-35 Thermally Broken Commercial Doors.
 
Curved walls, round windows and open ceilings create a sense of space and wellbeing, topped off with advanced acoustics,  quality finishing touches and a playful interior. The result is an inspiring and design-focused workplace that encourages collaboration. Outside, a roof top recreation area provides space for al fresco meetings, eating and drinking with views over Oxford’s Dreaming Spires.
 
A fantastic project to have been involved in, which ultimately encourages young and innovative science pioneers to stay and further their career on home soil.

Restoration & striking architecture cleverly combine in Manchester’s buzzing Northern Quarter

Posted on by Anna Rainey

A beautiful combination of old and new at this Grade A office development in Manchester’s vibrant Northern Quarter. Tribeca House was designed by Falconer Chester Hall and delivered by Barnfield Construction. The original building suffered significant fire damage back in 2007 and Kamani Property Group had the surviving façade restored and sensitively combined with its new, adjoining development.

A modern take on the architecture of the Northern Quarter, the new building complements the red-brick façade of the original building. Through AGF, Metal Technology Ltd supplied its high performance curtain walling systems which had a feature that enabled an interface with the striking COR-TEN (steel) vertical feature fins. The 7 storey commercial development includes high quality office and retail space, bringing further regeneration to this dynamic area of Manchester.

Metal Technology products used were: System 5-35Hi Tilt Turn Windows, System 10-35 Thermally Broken Commercial Door (roof terrace), System 17 HR High Rise Curtain Walling and System 17 SP Silicone Pointed 17 High Rise Curtain Walling.

We’re very proud to have been involved in this one!

 

 

High-performance glazing gystems for stylish high-rise development

Posted on by Anna Rainey

Great to see the completion of this sleek, new student accommodation block located in the centre of Leeds. This new build project was fabricated and installed by MT approved fabricator, Alternative Windows Aluminium and utilised Metal Technology Ltd’s high performance System 5-35Hi Tilt Turn Windows, System 25 Lift & Slide Doors and System 10-35 Thermally Broken Commercial Doors.

For more information on our solutions for the student accommodations market please follow the link to our dedicated brochure and case studies > https://www.metaltechnology.com/?openBrochure=student

Northern Ireland’s First Passivhaus Plus College recognised by UN

Posted on by Anna Rainey

The £29m South West College in Enniskillen, designed by Hamilton Architects LLP and built by Tracey Brothers Ltd, is the first building in Ireland to be designed to Passivhaus Premium Plus standard, delivering an average project façade u-value of 0.8w/m2K. The 8,000sqm education and community facility is situated on the prime site of the former Erne Hospital and won the 2021 BREEAM Official Public Sector Project – Design Stage Award.

Amongst the most environmentally friendly buildings in the world, the Erne Campus has been recognised as a UN Centre of Excellence for High Performance Buildings. The project has joined 25 other buildings around the world as an exemplar of green construction.

Metal Technology Ltd assisted approved fabricator and installer, D & K Architectural Systems Ltd, with thermal modelling of the screens and interfaces to ensure the façade’s systems complied with the stringent design requirements, using triple-glazed System 17 Curtain Walling, System 4-35Hi+ Thermal Casement Windows, System 5-35Hi+ Thermal Tilt & Turn Windows, System 5-20DHi+ Thermal Heavy Duty Doors and System 22 Brise Soleil.

A challenging and rewarding project for all involved, we’re extremely proud to have played a key part in bringing this state-of-the-art, carbon zero building to life – an exemplar in sustainable innovation and design.

 

Redefining student living in the historic city of Exeter

Posted on by Anna Rainey

Fantastic to see the completion of this multi-million pound scheme by UPP (University Partnerships Programme) which incorporates 1,182 student bedrooms on Exeter University’s Streatham Campus. Designed by Stride Treglown and delivered by VINCI Construction, the East Park project comprises of standard, en-suite and enhanced accessible bedrooms and represents the largest build of on-campus accommodation at the University since 2012.

The University of Exeter’s Streatham Campus is one of the greenest and most attractive university campuses in the UK. The East Park development is built into the topography of the slope and takes advantage of the fantastic views across the city. The project is targeting a BREEAM ‘Excellent’ rating by incorporating green materials with high environmental ratings; recycling 90% of the waste generated on site; specifying A or A+ rated appliances and low energy fittings; providing high levels of insulation, and including a combined heat and power system.

Fabricated and installed by approved MT fabricator APiC UK, Metal Technology Ltd is proud to have been a part of this major student accommodation development, providing our System 17 Curtain walling with feature capping, System 5-20D Doors SBD with electric strike locks and System 5-35Hi+ windows.

 

Enhancing student living at University of York’s £130m “Campus of the Future”

Posted on by Anna Rainey

We’re delighted to see the completion of the first phase of University of York’s £130m flagship student accommodation project. GRAHAM Building is using an off-site manufacturing facility to deliver the scheme, enhancing the quality, safety and sustainability of the construction programme. Embracing Modern Methods of Construction, the development includes pre-fabricated sandwich panels, integrating external brick finish with Metal Technology Ltd’s System 5-35 Hi+   Tilt and Turn windows, which included the development of a bespoke extrusion. The project was fabricated and installed by approved MT fabricator APiC UK. Our System 17 – 50mm curtain walling and System 5-20D Doors were also utilised.

The 1,480-bed project, designed by Sheppard Robson, will help to transform the Heslington East Campus. Student welfare is paramount with the design focusing on harnessing the benefits of the project’s natural, waterside setting. The project has been broken down into 18 blocks that step down from four to three storeys as you get closer to the waterfront, helping frame views of the lake and also embedding the project within the landscape. The strong, simple forms of the blocks, characterised by robust pre-cast concrete and brick, have been designed to be a modern interpretation of the character of the university’s 1960s campus. The simple forms have been shaped to create a series of internal courtyards with a series of covered walkways, a feature of the 60s campus which brings the elements of the project together.

For more information on our solutions for the student accommodations market please follow the link to our dedicated brochure and case studies > Student Accommodation Brochure

Belfast design-led flexible workspace refurb uses Metal Technology systems

Posted on by Anna Rainey

Redefining the traditional office environment, Eagle Star House has elevated Belfast’s flexible workspace to that found in New York or London. Now operating as Urban HQ, this 32,000 sq ft building accommodates more than 500 desks and includes light-filled meeting rooms, focus rooms, phone booths and a rooftop terrace that offers spectacular views of the city.

To realise the vision of developers Magell, Like Architects and main contractor GRAHAM Group collaborated to complete a major £4.5m transformation of this iconic Belfast City Centre building.

Fabricator Fortress SEFA used the specified Metal Technology systems in the replacement façade to achieve a totally different aesthetic and a u-value of 1.5w/m2k in conjunction with solar-control glazing. The curtain walling utilised various colour finishes, face caps and silicone pointing and ribbon tilt & turn windows glazing into insulated panels in the off-street areas, assisted in providing the necessary ventilation requirements. The project is subject to BREAAM assessment.

Systems used were: System 17 Capped and System 17 Silicon Pointed Curtain Walling and from our Thermal ranges, System 5-35Hi+ Casement Windows, System 10-35Hi+ Commercial Doors and System 23 Glazed-In Louvres.

Metal Technology systems used in West Lothian schools

Posted on by Anna Rainey

This £60.5m education campus project for West Lothian Council, which will transform Winchburgh, is in response to significant new housing expansion in the area. Facilities will include the addition of a 231 pupil replacement Holy Family Primary School (including 64 place nursery), a 660 pupil non-denominational secondary school Winchburgh Academy, a 660 pupil denominational secondary school Sinclair Academy and a shared physical education and community block.

Metal Technology performed an intrinsic technical role in this collaborative design approach with both Ryder Architecture and JM Architects, to propose elements of commonality in the design of the aluminium glazing throughout the overall scheme, whilst achieving aspects of individuality across the secondary and primary education buildings.

The main contractor, Morrison Construction, and approved Metal Technology fabricator, Albann, are simultaneously collaborating on the £14m Calderwood Primary School as part of the commitment by West Lothian Council and its development partner Hub South East, to expand upon the school estate with purpose-built facilities to meet the growing demands of the local communities.

Across the buildings, Albann are utilising Metal Technology’s System 17 Capped Curtain Walling and a number of systems from their high performance low U value  range of windows and doors, to include System 5-35Hi+ Tilt/turn, System 4-35Hi+ Casement, System 5-20D Hi+ Door suite and System 22 Barrier Grilles.

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.

 

Sky high in architectural glazing: Liverpool’s landmark Horizon Heights

Posted on by Anna Rainey

This flagship new build student accommodation development, comprising over 1,000 bedrooms across two tower blocks of 21 and 19 storeys, is located on a cleared brownfield site opposite Liverpool’s Lime Street Station.

The development is a mixture of cluster and studio flats with communal areas and ground floor retail space. It is part of a detailed landscaping plan that will revitalise the retail area and enhance the pedestrian experience for both locals and visitors to the city.

For the client Unite Students, architects Falconer Chester Hall designed the two towers to respect the local context of both the train station and the nearby buildings in the aesthetics and materials used and specified Metal Technology for the façade. It is the largest single building completed to date by this developer and architect with a material palette which includes aluminium cladding, a series of perforated panels and curtain walling with window inserts.

     

For this project with an installed value of £7m, Metal Technology also worked closely with fabricator Walsin for main contractor McAleer and Rushe and developed a bespoke chamfered 230mm curtain wall cap which was used to create a pod around the perimeter of the glazed curtain walling.

Products used were Metal Technology’s System 5-35    Tilt turn Window suite, System 17 Curtain Walling with bespoke cap, System 23 louvres (P33) and System 5-20D  door.

This significant BREEAM ‘Excellent’ rated scheme won the Student Accommodation award at RICS Social Impact Awards 2020 and is a finalist in the Tall Buildings Awards 2020 for “Best Tall Building Architect”, which recognises professional architects or architectural organisations who offer detailed explanations into technical and creative reasoning behind the specification of particular materials and systems.

Metal Technology MD Calvin Wilson said “working collaboratively with Walsin to bespoke this challenging technical solution for such a signature building is evidence of our capabilities to deliver a project to meet advanced design demands and we are delighted to have our systems showcased in such a landmark development”.

All Metal Technology’s systems are designed to perform seamlessly together to deliver the desired aesthetic and performance standards. Used individually or together, they offer complete design flexibility for creative expression with the assurance of value engineered structural, weather and security performance.

 

The Maldron Hotel Belfast Uses Metal Technology’s thermal range

Posted on by scaffold

The Maldron Hotel, Belfast, which is one of city’s newest hotels, has created an efficient and sleek construction using Metal Technology’s latest architectural glazing technology. The hotel is a recent addition by the Dalta Hotel Group, one of the largest hotel operators in Ireland. With the use of Metal Technologies products, some of which are a part of their  range, the Maldron Hotel is also set to be one of the most heat efficient in the city.

Utilising Metal Technology’s thermal range has given the Maldron Hotel the advantage of polyamide thermal break technology, which means that heat transfer through each product profiles are significantly minimised. The thermal products used for the hotel were the System 5-35 High Performance Thermally Enhanced Tilt & Turn Window, System 5-20D Door System and System 17 Capped Curtain Walling.

These products in the thermal range further boost thermal performance through specially designed thermal gaskets and foam profiles. The purpose of this is to reduce radiation heat loss across the air cavities within the product profiles to provide them with additional thermal enhancement. All of this ensures that Metal Technology’s products aid the Maldron Hotel in keeping with the latest thermal requirements of the current building regulations.

The other products Metal Technology created for this project were the System 23 P33 Louvres. These were designed for the Maldron Hotel with the intent of providing a pleasing aesthetic appearance at the same time as providing natural ventilation and controlling.

All Metal Technology systems are designed to perform seamlessly together to deliver the desired aesthetic and performance standards. Used individually or together, they offer complete design flexibility for creative aesthetics with the assurance of value engineered structural, weather and security performance.