Technical curtain wall system designated by six Welsh colleges
To provide another façade solution laminated glass suppliers for Coleg Cambria, one of the largest universities in the UK, TECHNAL aluminum doors, windows and curtain walls have been designated and installed on the college’s flagship Yale campus-the sixth Coleg Cambria site using the TECHNAL system.Technically assisting the project architect during the design phase, TECHNAL worked with the manufacturer and installer Westmore Architectural in all six campus buildings. Together, these teams work with Wynne Construction, the main contractor responsible for the construction, which was appointed through the North Wales Construction Partnership (NWCP).
The prestigious Yale campus was built in accordance with BREEAM standards of excellence and is the most recent project the team has participated in. Located on the north side of Wrexham town center, it is one of the largest projects undertaken by Coleg Cambria in its six campus network, which has 7,000 full-time students and 20,000 part-time students.
Andy Garner, senior design and BIM manager at Wynne Construction, explained how important it is to have a suitable supply chain in such a design and construction project: “As a framework provider, we work on a D&B basis, so from our supply chain technical team to It is important. We have worked with TECHNAL project consultant Mike Molyneux and Westmore construction team many times to achieve the correct exterior wall solution for Coleg Cambria.
"From the perspective of the aluminum system, we only work with suppliers that have a BIM product line with built-in COBie data. We also look for product quality, product range, and, importantly, the system's ability to adapt."
Designed by TACP Architects, project architect Katherine Mellor explained how the glass elements complement the overall architectural design of the 96,000 square foot Yale campus with three floors: "The facade created using the TECHNAL aluminum system is side by side with the Kingspan Dri-Design aluminum rain screen. Using a prominent brick structure, referencing the existing buildings nearby-the building perfectly reflects our concept."
Maximizing the use of daylight and ventilation, the glass curtain wall spans 1,200 square meters of the entire building. TECHNAL curtain wall has proven performance and thermal insulation performance, can provide a completely enclosed mullion drainage solution. The aluminum substructure has a width of 52 mm, creating a slim line of sight while meeting the necessary strength and inertia requirements.
TECHNAL Class A Dualframe 75 Si windows provide higher credit for BREEAM's critical energy 01 part, which is related to the reduction of energy use and carbon emissions, and can provide excellent energy efficiency. The U value of the Yale campus has reached 1.1W/m2K. In addition to being inserted into the curtain wall, the windows are installed in a vertical panel format to create a striking rectangular pattern within the golden cladding.
The curtain wall forms the main glass element of the building and is used many times, including to the first floor, to form a cantilevered part. This part of the building is equipped with translucent glass to protect privacy and has a rotating studio. The spandrel panels hide the structural work, and the exterior walls also include an interesting glass fin detail to the front and back facades of the building.
Robert Moreland, Westmore Construction Commercial Director explained how the team worked together to achieve this goal: "We have established a long-term working relationship with the TECHNAL team and can always rely on them to provide technical support, just like the case of the Yale campus project.
"In order to achieve millimeter-specific tolerances, the glass fins are manufactured by professional subcontractor OJ Tafffinder Limited using Pilkington laminated glass with an opaque interlayer. The fins are located in front of the curtain wall. Each one is installed vertically to the steel structure through the curtain wall, with partitions The hot plate is cut to fit and install around the bracket profile."
Projecting light into the stairwell, TECHNAL curtain walls are also installed on opaque glass of different panel heights to create unique corner features while adding contrasting transparency to the design of the building.
The TECHNAL Dualframe 75 Si casement window complies with PAS24 and Secured by Design standards, and also contributes to the building safety design certification. It has been installed in the curtain wall as an opening light, and is equipped with hinge bolts and flow restrictors to ensure safety.
As part of the fire prevention strategy, the curtain wall on the ground floor uses Colt glass smoke-proof shutters. In the event of a fire, these will automatically open to inhale oxygen and ensure that the smoke rises and exits through the roof vents.
GEZE UK has also installed and automated 7 sets of TECHNAL 202 commercial doors to produce easy-to-use two-way door openers.
All TECHNAL systems are specified and finished with an anthracite grey powder coating (RAL 7016) to contrast with the outer pearl beige cladding (RAL 1035) and to harmonize with the eye-catching entrance.
Depending on the altitude, the glass specifications are designed to meet thermal requirements and include a combination of low-e glass for energy efficiency and high-performance solar control glass from Guardian SunGuard® SuperNeutral® 70/35 to reduce heat gain.
The building created a series of multi-functional lecture halls, sports facilities, re-provided catering facilities and fully functional restaurants, digital archives of the National Library of Wales, drama studios, and a series of teaching and advanced computer suites.
TECHNAL is part of the Hydro Group, which is a global leader in aluminum solutions and also includes sister brand WICONA. Through its world-renowned hydropower technology center, the group is shaping a sustainable future, its innovative products meet and exceed customer expectations, and meet the requirements of corporate social responsibility and increasing environmental regulations.
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