Keeping quiet in a new urban development

AW Louvers have commenced with the supply of high-performance acoustic vents and louvers to the Deanston Wharf project on the River Thames in London, which forms part of a new community in Newham to the east of the city.

Deanston Wharf is being developed by Ballymore, and comprises 764 residential units, 1,320m² of mixed-use floorspace, new public and communal open space and basement car parking within four buildings ranging from 9-19 storeys in height.

AW Louvers worked closely with glazing contractor Eire Facades Systems UK to provide approximately 1,000 louvers which meet strict performance requirements.

“The ventilation package went out to tender, which demanded U-values of 0.6W/m²K and acoustic performance of 48Dnew and 42Dnew,” AW Louvers’ MD Wayne Irvine said. “We met these requirements with the MR34Z-GL high-flow glazed-in louvers, and we’ve delivered the products to site as specified and to meet the phasing requirements.”

The MR34Z-GL louvers provide a 48% physical free area with a small blade pitch. This meant the performance requirements are met with a more aesthetically pleasing appearance.

AW Louvers also supplied 685 Tunal Sus acoustic ventilators, which provide a 2500 equivalent area and which also achieve the 48Dnew and 42Dnew acoustic requirements in the open position. According to AW Louvers, this is seen as a key performance indicator, especially in urban areas, where adequate ventilation is often accompanied with poor acoustics, which can have a negative effect on the health of the occupants.

“AW Louvers is a specialist supplier of vents and louvers, but our customers buy-in to much more than that,” Wayne said. “We understand how our products interface with all the other elements in the façade, and we can iron out many issues long before the glazing is installed on site.

“Our technical consultants will even visit the site to ensure all the components are installed correctly, saving costly errors further down the line.

“We also understand the complexities of powder coating and how different powder coaters can deliver different finishes, even if RAL codes are matched. These may be things either the contractor hadn’t considered or other suppliers.”

Operating from its base in Tewkesbury, AW Louvers can powder-coat products in any RAL colour to Qualicoat standards.