The façades of four buildings at Velocity Village – one of the largest mixed-use developments in Yorkshire – have been entirely replaced using 14,000m2 of curtain walling from Wicona. Velocity Village occupies a four-acre site and provides more than 600,000ft2 of residential and commercial space in the centre of
In busy warehouse environments it is easy for the number of hours to increase on forklift trucks, with some vehicles in near-constant use 24/7, rolling on from one shift to the next. Transporting such a high volume of goods, both indoors and out, inevitably leads to considerable wear and tear,
The façades of four buildings at Velocity Village – one of the largest mixed-use developments in Yorkshire – have been entirely replaced using 14,000m2 of curtain walling from Wicona. Velocity Village occupies a four-acre site and provides more than 600,000ft2 of residential and commercial space in the centre of Sheffield. Designed by Axis Architecture, the extensive façade replacement was carried out by Glassolutions working with main contractor Jessops Construction. The buildings are all faced in acid-washed concrete, steel and glass in dramatic contrast to the scheme’s red-brick surroundings and adding sparkle, light and life to the city’s business district. The architectural style is bold in its contemporary simplicity and has created a stylish landmark which successfully integrates urban living, learning and working environments. Each elevation is almost completely enclosed in Wicona curtain walling to maximise light, with floor-to-ceiling glazing allowing views of the Peak District, the landscaped courtyards or across the city. Wicona’s WICTEC 50 SG structural glazing was used on every elevation of the four buildings to replace the original curtain walling which was no longer watertight, and to improve the overall quality of each development. The façade specification was to create a ‘like-for-like’ frameless glass appearance to mirror the original architectural design. This was achieved using the WICTEC 50 SG system which features a ‘toggle’ to retain the glazed units within the infill channel. This option is fast and efficient to install, and delivers a frameless appearance as an alternative to silicone bonding. The Wicona curtain walling was also semi-unitised, which allowed the fabrication and assembly of the glazing units off site for faster and more accurate installation – an important benefit as the buildings were occupied throughout the façade replacement. An area of the glazing on the V2 office building was also faceted across seven storeys. Commenting on the project, Kevin Seers, Director of Axis Architecture said, “The curtain walling was a critical element because these four buildings had such an extensive amount of glazing. We needed to retain the appearance of continuous glass and the original façade design as closely as possible.” “The Wicona façade system was sufficiently flexible and versatile to meet the design criteria and integrated well with the windows and doors. The WICTEC 50 SG curtain walling has successfully and closely reflected the appearance of the original buildings and we are extremely happy with the end result. The glazing is all performing well and each building looks fantastic. The façade replacement has really helped to revitalise the whole development. We would definitely use Wicona’s systems again.” In addition to the curtain walling, Wicona also supplied: Solar shading using fixed aluminium louvres Open-in, side hung WICLINE evo 65 aluminium casement windows inserted into the curtain walling at every level on each building WICSLIDE 23 sliding doors to the penthouse balconies at the top of the V3 apartment building WICSTYLE 65 evo outward-opening doors for access to the balconies for all the other residential units. Velocity Village provides high quality office accommodation across seven floors and 443 premium apartments set around landscaped courtyards. The largest building, V2, is now the new languages faculty for the University of Sheffield. V3 and V4 are residential buildings providing one and two bedroom apartments over seven and eight floors. V5 is a standalone building comprising 24 two bedroom luxury apartments over four upper floors, with office space on the ground floor. Wicona’s WICTEC curtain walling can be used to create vertical and angled façades; sloped and 3D glazed roofs and atria, and other geometric constructions. There is an extensive range of openings for natural ventilation; a wide variety of profiles for optimum creative freedom, and additional options for enhanced burglar and bullet resistance and fire protection, without changing the overall appearance of the façade. For more information about Wicona’s range of door, window and curtain walling systems for complex and challenging projects, and its bespoke façade solutions, visit www.wicona.co.uk, email info.wiconauk@wicona.com or call 0845 602 8799.
In busy warehouse environments it is easy for the number of hours to increase on forklift trucks, with some vehicles in near-constant use 24/7, rolling on from one shift to the next. Transporting such a high volume of goods, both indoors and out, inevitably leads to considerable wear and tear, so it’s essential to keep an eye on maintenance and protect your fleet against long-term damage. Under the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998, it’s a legal requirement to ensure that all plant machinery remains in a good state of repair, but another reason to take maintenance seriously is to minimise downtime, so here’s some advice from the experts at Linde Aftersales on how to keep your forklift trucks in tip-top shape. Check your checklist Forklift operators should conduct a thorough assessment of vehicles at the start of every shift, safeguarding against problems going unnoticed and unreported. Manufacturers will supply documentation detailing what to look out for, covering everything from fuel and oil levels to the lifting mechanism and safety features. It’s fundamental that staff actually complete these daily checks rather than simply paying lip service to them, in order to protect against unnecessary damage and potential accidents. A clear structure should be in place for problems to be flagged and resolved. Replace tired tyres Following your manufacturer’s recommended guidelines for tyre safety will ensure sufficient grip for movement, friction for braking and overall comfort. Naturally, the wheels are the only part of the vehicle in constant contact with the ground, leaving them vulnerable to damage, so it’s important to monitor their condition. Solid forklift tyres should have a wear indicator, known as a ‘60J line’, and once the depth reaches this point it only has 100 hours of use remaining. It’s crucial that you replace tyres in time, as instability will jeopardise both safety and productivity. Tyres should only be fitted and repaired by trained professionals. Don’t drag Whilst forks should be lowered when travelling, they should still be clear of the ground; making them drag along the floor is an all-too-frequent cause of damage that is easily avoided. Dragging also results in extra fuel consumption – an unnecessary cost. The weight of loads should be evenly centred, and forks should be lifted to a safe height. Prevention is better than cure Driving over sawdust, pallet wrap or loose packaging can potentially lead to issues with air filters and blocked radiators, as well as causing damage to shaft bearings, so all debris should be regularly cleared from the warehouse floor. Potholes should be immediately tended to, as they can cause damage to the chassis and tyres, and drivers should avoid wearing tool belts, as sharp objects can create holes in the leather seating, which will only deteriorate over time. Book your Thorough Examination Whilst daily checks will help to guarantee optimal performance, it’s a legal requirement to pass a Thorough Examination of forklift machinery every year, much in the same way that cars have to complete their MOT. Failing to keep up with regular inspections will put the lifespan of your equipment and the safety of staff at risk, so it’s crucial to ensure that your forklift trucks are kept in good working order.
