Systems

Metal Technology Systems Deployed

A new state-of-the-art student accommodation scheme in Cardiff, located in the centre of the city, benefits from a number of Metal Technology systems. Capital Quarter Cardiff consists of two multi-level blocks linked by an architect-designed landscape scheme, featuring 544 self-contained rooms, which comprise a mix of studio and cluster accommodation.

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Kawneer’s Systems All Feature at Bayscape

Leading UK manufacturer Kawneer had its full range of architectural glazing systems specified for a stunning residential development at Cardiff marina. The Kawneer systems were selected for Phase One of Bayscape Ltd’s £40 million mixed-use development, which has been shortlisted for an award. “We specified Kawneer because of the need

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Latest Issue
Issue 322 : Nov 2024

Systems

Traditional Versus Modern – the Kit Malthouse Debate Resumes at Explore Offsite Housing

On the 27 March at the QEII in London, the UK Housing Minister Kit Malthouse will address an audience of construction professionals at the Explore Offsite Housing conference. In February 2018 the Ministry for Housing announced an extra £45 million of funding for community projects that would free up land for local councils to build 7,280 homes. It has been 16 months since the government’s ‘offsite presumption’ announcement and key industry players are still unsure how this will play out and when clarity will arrive – many are optimistic that the Explore Offsite Housing event will provide at least some of the answers. Kit Malthouse’s short time in office has not been without controversy. He recently defended the Better Building Beautiful Commission and called on architects to work with him to resist bland, developer-led housing. He said the point of the government commission has been missed by British architects, who have criticised it for attempting to reignite the divide between proponents of traditional and modern architecture. The theme of traditional versus modern will continue at this one-day conference but this time the debate will move away from architecture to focus on contemporary delivery methods. Kit Malthouse was recently quoted as saying: “If I’m going to build 300,000 houses, I need local communities to accept them. And that means they need to like what’s being built. We’re putting 45 million quid into the house building industry across the piece. We’re not short of money to get this out of the door. But it’s perfectly possible to produce stuff that looks fantastic that satisfies the purists of the architectural profession and local communities at the same time.” Kit Malthouse then turned his attention to housing developers: “I need the architectural profession to join with me to cajole, propel, and push the developers to allow beauty into their work.” Through exemplary case studies, Explore Offsite Housing will provide evidence that offsite technology can rapidly deliver exceptional and aesthetically appealing residential projects at scale. The conference and exhibition will provide an opportunity for housing developers and architects to hear direct from the Housing Minister. All eyes will be on Kit Malthouse as he discusses the government’s plans for investment into offsite technologies and proposals for future potential collaboration and funding. Explore Offsite Housing will be attended by over 250 delegates from architects, engineers and housing developers to construction clients and building product manufacturers – all interested to be the first to hear new industry announcements. Offsite solutions provide the technological capabilities to allow the government to build the large levels of housing that are needed efficiently, with low costs and unbeatable quality consistency. As the construction world races to resolve the housing crisis, offsite professionals are keen to learn about new government-funded opportunities that are long overdue. To view the high-profile speaker line-up – which includes Mark Farmer – and to book your place go to: www.exploreoffsite.co.uk

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Metal Technology Systems Deployed

A new state-of-the-art student accommodation scheme in Cardiff, located in the centre of the city, benefits from a number of Metal Technology systems. Capital Quarter Cardiff consists of two multi-level blocks linked by an architect-designed landscape scheme, featuring 544 self-contained rooms, which comprise a mix of studio and cluster accommodation. The development, worth £1.725 million, features Metal Technology’s System 17 capped curtain walling with a combination of System 5-35HI+ tilt and turn windows and System 4-35 Hi+ thermally enhanced Casement windows. System 5-20D Hi+ thermally enhanced door systems are also used alongside System 10 commercial doors. A bespoke louvre system helped ensure adequate shading was achieved whilst providing a safe environment even when the windows are fully opened. “Metal Technology’s state-of-the-art windows and doors were the perfect fit for this student accommodation project from an installation perspective due to the system’s ability to be quickly but efficiently designed, fabricated and shipped to site. This allows our installers to be utilised more efficiently and effectively across all of our current live sites. The door and window systems lend themselves especially well to this type of project where safety and security are a priority without compromising on quality,” commented Andrew Stapleton of APiC. All Metal Technology systems are designed to perform seamlessly together to deliver the desired aesthetic and performance standards. Used individually or together, they offer complete design flexibility for creative aesthetics with the assurance of value engineered structural, weather and security performance.

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Kawneer’s Systems All Feature at Bayscape

Leading UK manufacturer Kawneer had its full range of architectural glazing systems specified for a stunning residential development at Cardiff marina. The Kawneer systems were selected for Phase One of Bayscape Ltd’s £40 million mixed-use development, which has been shortlisted for an award. “We specified Kawneer because of the need for a high-quality and trusted product. Crisp detailing was important in the overall design concept and aluminium was essential for the marine environment,” said Andrew Baker, Director of Rio, award-winning architects who have used Kawneer systems on numerous projects. The two blocks of luxury apartments – Whitewater House and Waterford House – both used Kawneer’s AA®100 mullion-drained curtain walling with 50mm sightlines, thermally superior AA®720 tilturn and side-hung casement windows, and AA®545 open-out swing doors. Whitewater House, so named because it also overlooks Cardiff International White Water Centre, was first to complete, offering 56 generously-proportioned one, two and three- bedroom apartments including two penthouses. Meanwhile, Bayscape offers a total of 115 apartments, with optional private moorings, across seven and eight-storeys of apartments which are joined by an elevated garden podium. The ground floors feature a coffee shop, waterside bar and restaurant, commercial/retail units and marina management facility. The luxury apartments, which all feature private balconies or terraces, start at £175,000 and range from up to 624 ft2 for a one-bed, 990 ft2 for two bedrooms and 1,119 ft2 for a typical three-bedroom. Residents also benefit from undercroft parking, a concierge service and lift access to all floors. The impressive floor to ceiling double glazing in every apartment ensures they are light and airy and residents can enjoy the stunning views. The Kawneer systems were installed over five months by a team of up to eight operatives from approved dealer Dudley’s Aluminium for main contractor BECT Building Contractors. Dudley’s, which celebrates its 25th anniversary this year, also worked with Kawneer and BECT on another Cardiff project – One Canal Parade. Bayscape was shortlisted for residential development of the year in the 2018 Wales Insider Property Awards.

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