CREATIVE GLASS SOLUTION FOR UCA
One of the Glass Aftercare's many prestigious education projects came to fruition with the opening in February 2012 of the new £5.9 million teaching facility at The University for Creative Arts (UCA) in Epsom. Working in conjunction with Sharda Glass, Glass Aftercare successfully project managed the installation of 28 large solar shading fins with a creative leaf digital print effect that adorn the upper two floors of the front of the new building.
Providing solar shading within the building, which was designed by Bond Bryan and is certified under the BREEAM: Higher Education assessment criteria, this installation clearly underlines the contribution that this type of facade solution can make to energy efficient buildings whilst also being highly architecturally pleasing. The triple laminated solar shading fins were manufactured by Sharda Glass, the architectural glass specialists.
Not for the first time, Glass Aftercare worked with Sharda Glass and project managed the installation at UCA Epsom. The digitally printed glass panels, using the DuPont process, weigh some 28 Kg each, measure 2.5m by 1.0 metres. Two 12mm thick panels are boned and fixed into stratigaclly loaded steel channels to support their weight. The size, weight and positioning of the fins meant that specialist installation and project management services were called for – and Glass Aftercare was recognised as having outstanding credentials with this type of project.
The team at Glass Aftercare has over 30 years’ experience in the supply, installation and maintenance of glass facades and completing projects that involve many technical and logistical challenges to extremely tight deadlines. Specialist lifting equipment such as Mini Spider Cranes and Glass Vacuum lifters were employed and Glass Aftercare also had to consider the tight access and restricted working space in the courtyard in front of the new building. Strong lines of communication between suppliers and the customer were essential to the success of the project and Glass Aftercare’s project management ensured that time schedules and project budgets were met in full.
