Daylighting takes off at Heathrow

Curtain wall engineer and Kalwall distributor Structura, has recently completed a challenging but fascinating replace and refurbishment project at Heathrow’s T4.

The project proved so successful that main contractor Balfour Beatty named Structura as its ‘Most Promising New Supplier 2018’.

Replacing ageing glass rooflights originally installed in the 1980s, 1750m2 of Kalwall Skyroof cladding was used above the Terminal’s International Departure Lounge and check-in desks.

Fully Asaid compliant with regards to blast performance, Kalwall improves the solar control and insulation to the space below. In this project, its inherent strength in a lightweight frame means the existing substrate could be adapted and reused, saving £7 million in project costs and more than a year from the build programme.

The whole retrofit was completed externally in ‘engineering hours’ using a bespoke moving scaffold, meaning there was no disruption to the inside of the building.

Kalwall offers complete line-of-sight protection, maintaining privacy for the security screening area and departure lounges while bathing the interior with diffused daylighting, regardless of the weather.

It offers the highest protection in terms of wind-borne debris and resistance to impact, abrasion and point loads. Not only is it also safe to walk on but Kalwall achieves S:AA (BS 476 part 3) and Broof(t4) to EN 13501 part 5 for external fire performance.