HERITAGE & HISTORIC (INCLUDING ADAPTIVE RE-USE) SUPPLEMENT Glazing systems that work
Michael Metcalfe of Pilkington UK explains how modern structural glazing systems can help bring historic buildings into the 21st century
preserve them or, better still, integrate them into the modern built environment. Yet, how to do this is often the cause of major headaches for architects, designers and developers. Though our iconic heritage buildings may have weathered the storm of development across the ages – and actual storms – the job of rejuvenating them is a tough one.
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Councils and authorities place a huge emphasis on heritage buildings being preserved as close to their original state as possible. However, making them fit for modern use often requires at least a small level of modernisation.
Spacious, usable and well-lit While heritage buildings are often fascinating and extremely beautiful structures, they can have severe limitations when it comes to achieving benefits that come as standard in many modern buildings. These include areas such as level access, natural interior light, energy efficiency – as well as just a simple lack of useful floor-space. People’s expectations for the buildings they occupy – and the amenities that are required – have changed drastically over the past 50 years or so. Whether it’s modern kitchen or bathroom facilities, family spaces, AV installations, or any other facilities commonly found in modern buildings, it’s often impossible to fit it all within the envelope of a heritage building. For that reason, it’s often necessary to extend or add to older buildings if they are to truly compete with a new, custom-built alternative. Doing this sensitively, in a way that preserves the character of the original architecture can be a significant challenge, and this is where structural glazing can be used to create elegant solutions.
Minimal intervention The frameless, self-supporting nature of many of these systems is perfect for making additions to heritage buildings without
ADF APRIL/MAY 2020
eritage buildings often define the UK’s towns and cities. As historical icons, it is our job to protect and
burdening the original structure. The crisp aesthetic lines also beautifully complement most heritage spaces.
Whether you plan to enclose a previously outdoor space or link a new space to an existing one, frameless glazing allows this to be done with minimal aesthetic impact on the existing architecture.
This is especially important for heritage buildings, where significant restraints are placed on materials and how they are to be used to improve the existing structure.
Preserving essential character Tulsa Central Library in Oklahoma had a similar issue: they wanted to expand the indoor space available to readers in the 1960s-built modernist building without fundamentally altering its much- loved appearance.
This was achieved by creating structurally
glazed ‘boxes’ – nicknamed the ‘Jewel Boxes’ – which provide modern and spacious areas flooded with natural light but with a minimal impact on the appearance of the facade.
Breathing new life
The best structural glazing systems are not only beautiful and elegant, they are also a strong and robust option when working to protect heritage buildings. The 230-year-old Attingham Park Country House has a unique glass and cast-iron roof – designed by renowned Regency architect John Nash – sitting above the picture gallery. In order to protect the roof against the elements for years to come, frameless glazed units were installed above the historic roof as a protective layer which would also ensure the natural light continued to flow through. Now both the gallery and the historic roof shine. The glazing, which is supported by slim steel trusses and held in place by the Pilkington Planar system of stainless-steel fittings, bridges the gap between old and new – much like the system itself.
Michael Metcalfe is commercial sales manager at Pilkington UK
WWW.ARCHITECTSDATAFILE.CO.UK
The best structural glazing systems are not only beautiful and elegant, they are also a strong and robust option when working to protect heritage buildings
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