Curtain wall transformation
The external elevations of a dated, 33-year-old, three-storey office building in Harrogate have been transformed by Structura UK, in a phased 40-week contract worth £2.5m.
Pilkington’s Suncool brilliant blue, 6mm glazing has given Central House a fresh, clean, modern appearance.
Working as the principal contractor for Commercial Estates Group (CEG), Structura erected a scaffold crash deck around the perimeter of the whole building, including the courtyard , to protect its tenants and visitors, and to allow uninterrupted access to a busy site.
The original curtain walling had sprung minor leaks and come to the end of its useful life. As a result, Structura replaced over 750 vision units with new dual seal, double glazing units ranging in size from 3m high x 1,700mm to 1,300mm high x 2m using purpose-erected cradles, minifor hoists and glass vacuum lifting machines. The old aluminium panels were replaced by over 900 double glazed spandrel panels in the same manner. Structura removed and replaced all pressure plates, face caps and gaskets, and removed and replaced aluminium coping panels and column claddings.
A high priority for Structura was tenant liaison. As work progressed in stages the company ensured office staff were aware in advance when it needed to gain access internally. No relocation of any offices was required and there was no disruption to staff of any kind.
An impressive feature of Central House is its new main entrance. Structura removed the old, manual swing doors and installed a new, high performance revolving door, together with one automatic pass door and one manual door. The entrance has a 13.8mm thick laminated glass canopy above, secured by stainless steel tie rods with powder coated support fins.
The glazed screens to the Health Club at the rear of the building were replaced and incorporate new doors and louvre panels. Elsewhere, 10 external doors were replaced, two within the courtyard, and nine full height external louver panels were removed and replaced.
