Swansea University Bay Campus
July 2016

Architectural aluminium systems by KAWNEER have played a key part in the design of the facade of Swansea University’s new Bay Campus, said to be the largest construction project in South Wales.

Kawneer’s curtain walling, windows and doors feature on several buildings on the £450million Science and Innovation Bay Campus site, which is being delivered by the regeneration specialist and University partner St. Modwen.

The project comprised a 1,000,000ft2 development in Neath Port Talbot on the exposed shores of Swansea bay, including 465,000ft2 of academic space and 1,462 student residences, associated retail space, highway works and on-site infrastructure for the 5,000 students and 1,000 staff.

Designed to BREEAM standards, the Kawneer elements on Phase 1 by main contractor VINCI Construction UK were installed by approved specialist sub-contractors APiC UK and AB Glass.

These include Kawneer’s AA100 zone-drained curtain walling with 50mm sightlines, AA541 top-hung, open-out casement windows and series 190 heavy-duty commercial entrance doors on the School of Management (pictured), Great Hall and Bay Library buildings. AA110 mullion-drained curtain walling, with 65mm sightlines, is being installed on the School of Management.

The education element apart, Kawneer’s AA100 zone-drained curtain walling and AA541 side-hung, open-out casement windows were also used on the student residences.

In addition, Kawneer’s AA100 zone-drained curtain walling and AA541 top-hung casement windows were installed on the Institute of Structural Materials (home to Swansea Material Research and Testing Ltd ‘SMART’) and Engineering East (home to Engineering Manufacturing Centre) – part-funded by the European Regional Development Fund through the Welsh Government.

Glyn Parker, associate with Powell Dobson Architects, said the Kawneer systems were „key to the weathering and aesthetics of the buildings,“ with their aluminium make-up contributing to the BREEAM scoring.

He added: “They were a key part of the architectural appreciation, meeting the requirements of the technical brief with pleasing aesthetics. Skilful detailing by the designers ensured the weathering characteristics were achieved.“

www.swan.ac.uk/campus-development