Top of the class

Howells Patent Glazing has designed, supplied and installed three flat-top rooflights for the new £4.4 million expansion of Kingswood Academy in Hull.

The new Russell Building comprises 12 new classrooms; two offices; a new dining area and servery, including indoor and outdoor seating; toilets; and plant rooms. A further 72 parking spaces have also been created. It has enabled the academy to create a further 150 places for students.

The three flat-top rooflights sit amongst a sea of solar panels and to either side of two rooftop air conditioning units. They are pitched at just five degrees and measure 3.51m x 2.32m. Each rooflight is split into six 28mm double glazed units with a 6.8mm laminated inner pane and a toughened, easy clean outer pane. They each achieve a U-value of 1.0 Wm²K

The rooflights were specified to maximise natural light in the atrium. To achieve the highest possible light levels, Howells used its structural glass rafters to reinforce the structure. These provide support without breaking the sight lines. There are six 39mm glass rafters in total; two per rooflight, each made from Class 2 safety glass.

Due to the design of the Howells flat-top rooflight only the glass element with a black painted edge border can be seen from above or below. Out of sight, the aluminium structure is powder coated for durability. On this occasion it was matt finished in RAL 7043 Traffic grey B.

The school remained operational throughout the project. The new Russell Building was officially opened by the Lord Mayor of Kingston upon Hull at the end of June 2022.