College campus construction

Technal fabricator Glasshus designed, manufactured and installed a major glazing package, which included a double-storey facade featuring the use of the MX SG structural glazing system, on a flagship campus for Sunderland College.
The campus was completed by BAM Construction in time for the start of the current academic year.
Simon Tuckwell of Glasshus said: “This was our first project for BAM Construction, won in competitive tender, based on the use of Technal systems for which we are a dedicated dealer covering the whole of the country. Not only was the site a restricted access one in a tight urban location, but also involved a demanding programme. It has, though, been a real success and led to other significant contracts.
“There were a number of Technal FY Top Hung Open Out windows produced for the link bridge, as well as a variety of PY door types supplied, but the main part of the package involved use of the MX structural glazing for the curtain wall; all designed in house by ourselves to meet the aesthetic challenges of the original design. It is in effect a dual height, three-sided shaped screen, some 40m in width.”
With the design for the building targeting the higher levels of BREEAM, energy performance was a key issue in the specification of the MX SG screen, involving the selection of special IG units. These featured an argon-filled 18mm cavity, with a 12.8mm laminated inner leaf and a 6mm toughened outer, offering a centre pane U-value of 1.1W/m2K.
The PY 55 doors produced for the project included both automatic sliders and side hung sets for access compliant with the equality act, as well as some manual opening doorsets. In common with the top hung FY 65 windows, the frame elements were all finished in a RAL 7036 light grey polyester powder coat.