Gateway to the Valleys
April 2016

Architectural aluminium systems from KAWNEER were specified for a school in Wales said to be the first BREEAM Outstanding high school of its type in the UK.

Kawneer’s AA100 capped curtain walling and low/medium-duty swing and series 190 heavy-duty commercial entrance doors were specified by frequent Kawneer users architects Scott Brownrigg throughout the Gateway to the Valleys (Coleg Cymunedol y Dderwen) secondary school in Bridgend. These are complemented by AA541 top-hung BRE Green Guide A+-rated and Secured by Design casement windows.

The Kawneer systems were installed over 15 months by approved sub-contractor Dudley’s Aluminium for main contractor Bouygues UK.

Scott Brownrigg director Jon James said: “We have used Kawneer’s systems many times before. They are a reliable product and BREEAM Outstanding buildings require the majority of materials to be A or A+ Green Guide rated. The curtain walling was used to provide quality light in and views in and out of the building.

Headteacher Andrew Warren added: “The design itself is truly stunning. Scott Brownrigg had a very real and deep understanding of how the space could be used to support educational innovation and transformation.

“Much more than this has been the truly exceptional level of engagement that Scott Brownrigg has had with the whole of the school and the wider community. Without this level of real engagement, real partnership and real energy we would not be where we are now, occupying a most iconic and world-class building. There is no doubt we have the best school building in Wales and quite probably the UK.”