VELFAC - WINDOWS FOR LIFE - 2014 by VELFAC

VOL 5 .

SPRING 2014

// A MAGAZINE ABOUT DAYLIGHT, FRESH AIR AND WINDOW DESIGN //

LESS IS MORE A drive for simplicity

led to the unique VELFAC window design

INNOVATIVE, SUSTAINABLE DESIGN Situated just south of Cambridge, Great Kneighton

is one of Europeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s largest new mixed-use developments

BIG, BIGGER, BIGGEST Meet internationally acclaimed Danish architect Bjarke Ingels, founder of the architectural firm BIG, and learn more about his use of Scandinavian light

2 | VELFAC | CONTENTS

6 8

| Residents enjoy extra daylight | Case study: Great Kneighton in

Cambridge

| Architect Bjarke Ingels talks about daylight and architecture

| Storytelling: How a window system became a classic

20 23 24 28 30 31

| The VELFAC design service | Windows in Art – the key role of daylight

| Case study: Brent PFI | Don’t compromise | VELFAC on display | Carbon neutral learning environment

DESIGN VERSATILITY Glazing should bring freedom, not limit choices, and VELFAC delivers just that.

SCANDINAVIAN DAYLIGHT DESIGN We talk to internationally acclaimed, multiple award winning Danish architect Bjarke Ingels, founder of the architectural firm BIG.

AN EXEMPLAR

CARBON-NEGATIVE

DEVELOPMENT

VELFAC windows and window walling are installed in the UK’s first carbon neutral school – part of an exemplar development in Crouch Hill, London.

Innovative and sustainable design

Awareness "We gradually became more and more focused on delivering a unique design" – an interview with engineer Carl Hammer who masterminded the development of the original VELFAC 200 window.

Sustainable and affordable VELFAC glazing helped Brent Council achieve excellent levels of sustainability across a multi-million pound, multi-site affordable housing project.

Great Kneighton, on the edge of Cambridge, is one of Europe’s largest new mixed-use developments and is attracting much attention for the innovative design of the homes being built, and the site’s emphasis on sustainability.

4 | VELFAC | ARchitecture, design & daylight

Situated on the south-east edge of Cambridge, Great Kneighton is one of Europe’s largest new mixed use developments. Many of the homes deliberately exploit the VELFAC slim frame design to maximise natural light.

Windows for Life Magazine Published by VELFAC Ltd The Old Livery, Hildersham Cambridge, CB21 6DR T: 01223 897100 E: post@VELFAC.co.uk www.VELFAC.co.uk

Executive Editorial Team Andy Cook Hauberg & co. Astrid Rechnagel

Editorial Team Angela Murray Kevan Woolf Kamilla Skøtt Anine Drivsholm Bråten

Design Editor Daniel Dalsgaard-Jensen Datagraf Communications

Editorial | 5

Architecture, design & daylight

Here to stay

When VELFAC engineer Carl Hammer and his team first sketched out their ideas for the VELFAC 200 system, about 30 years ago, their plan was to start a technical revolution with a single window, using simple materials. They didn’t know then that they were creating a design classic. But as the team developed their ideas, they began to realize that the system they were creating had the potential to deliver a new architectural direction – a building component which could combine excellent performance with great aesthetic potential. Today, the VELFAC window design has hardly changed, only improved to offer greater energy efficiency. It still delivers the original slim frame, wooden inner sash and low-maintenance aluminum profile that looks just as good in a new build as in a refurbishment development. We talk to Carl about window design on page 16, and also about the way a window can maximize natural daylight as in this edition of ‘Windows for Life’ we focus on the importance of daylight in building design. On page 12 we meet internationally acclaimed Danish architect Bjarke Ingels and hear his thoughts on daylight and windows, and also take a look at some of the many projects now using VELFAC glazing to bring daylight into interior spaces. For more information on any of the articles in this edition of the magazine, please call us on 01223 897100, or email post@velfac.co.uk. We look forward to hearing from you. Andy Cook Project Sales Director

Print Oberthur Technologies Circulation: 13,000 copies Published Bi-annually

Front cover Danish Architect Bjarke Ingels

Photos Craig Auckland, Timothy Soar, James Kenny, Fokus Foto and VELFAC archives.

6 | VELFAC | EMNEORD DAYLIGHT, DESIGN AND ARCHITECTURE

SPACE, LIGHT AND AIR In the last edition of â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Windows for Lifeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; we reported on the CarbonLight Homes development in Kettering, built by VELFAC parent company VKR Holding, and which uses VELFAC windows in an exceptionally high glazing to floor area ratio of 23.8%.

he homes are part of an international project in which window designers, architects and planners are exploring ways to deliver buildings which are both healthy and climate-friendly. Energy performance and indoor climate

are monitored and evaluated monthly, and the most recent findings are summarised in Issue 20 of Daylight / Architecture (D/A) magazine, published by sister company VELUX.

Residents enjoy the extra daylight Results already show that many of the carbon reduction targets set for 2020 can be achieved today, with better use of high energy glazing particularly important in delivering excellent insulation, while dynamic external solar shading helps eliminate summertime overheating and automatic windows control ventilation. Results also show how much residents enjoy the extra daylight delivered by so many windows, which has a significant impact on mood and wellbeing as well as further reducing energy costs. Read the full article in Issue 20 of D/A at da.velux.com

‘No artificial light in the day! From breakfast until long after dinner without artificial light, a great feeling. That was unthinkable in the old apartment.’ LichtAktiv Haus resident, Hamburg

THE DAYLIGHT SITE

‘It’s great that there’s so much light in the house. The nature of the light changes with the weather.’ Kristensen family, Home for Life, Aarhus, Denmark

Some of the latest research into daylight and buildings can be found on The Daylight Site from VELFAC sister company VELUX. Recently published research on the site includes: Daylight and View: the influence of windows on the visual quality of indoor spaces Visual perceptions of daylit spaces Natural light and daylight assessment Design parameters for ‘healing’ hospitals Visit the site at www.thedaylightsite.com

‘For me the biggest and most obvious difference … is the amount of light in our new home. It makes such a difference to everyday life, gives me a huge sense of well-being and I definitely feel happier.’

‘Space, light and air are key ingredients in a recipe that we believe will appeal to home buyers and (which) could be replicated more widely – bringing the good life to the volume market.’

Laura Glazebook, CarbonLight Homes resident, Kettering

Ben Derbyshire, Managing Director, HTA Architects, CarbonLight Homes, Kettering

8 | VELFAC | ARCHITECTURE, DESIGN AND DAYLIGHT

Innovative, 足sustainable 足daylight design

Project summary Type of project: New build Housing Year of completion: 2012 onwards Technical information: VELFAC 200 windows and patio doors with 2 layer glazing and a 1.4w/m2 project U-value Primary opening function: All VELFAC 200 opening functions are supplied VELFAC Business manager on the project: Andy Trewick Builder: Countryside Properties

Developer Countryside Properties has asked VELFAC to handle the entire design process, from initial review of architects drawings, through to manufacture and delivery.

Situated on the south-east edge of Cambridge, Great Kneighton is one of Europe’s largest new mixed use developments; currently still under construction, the site will feature new homes, community and retail facilities, new schools, and 120 acres of specially created parkland. Many of the homes deliberately exploit the VELFAC slim frame design to maximise natural light.

reat Kneighton will eventually be home to over 5,800 people, living in over 2,500 properties ranging from one-bedroom

apartments to six-bedroom homes – with the majority featuring VELFAC windows and doors. Great Kneighton is attracting much attention for the innovative design of the homes being built, and the site’s emphasis on sustainability – both characteristics of developer

10 | VELFAC | ARCHITECTURE, DESIGN AND DAYLIGHT

Great Kneighton will eventually be home to over 5,800 people, living in over 2,500 properties ranging from one-bedroom apartments to sixbedroom homes.

Countryside Properties, a longstanding VELFAC client,

renewable, sustainable or recycled building materials

and renowned for its commitment to the building of high

wherever possible. The VELFAC composite frame features

quality, energy efficient properties designed to improve

FSC-certified pine sourced from managed forests, and 50%

quality of life. At Great Kneighton, for example, many of the

recycled aluminium; windows are produced using a low

homes deliberately exploit the VELFAC slim frame design to

energy manufacturing process, and are also backed by a

maximise natural light while also enjoying the exceptional

‘cradle to grave’ analysis of environmental performance,

levels of insulation – both thermal and acoustic – that

providing further evidence of the system’s excellent

the VELFAC frame design can provide. With its uniform

environmental credentials.

sightlines, VELFAC glazing also delivers the seamless, stylish and contemporary finish demanded by the Great Kneighton vision, while the versatility of the system allows the same window style to feature across a wide range of different house and apartment designs.

Sustainable solutions VELFAC glazing also meets Countryside’s demanding sustainability criteria, and in particular the use of

From design to delivery Over 19,500 m2 of VELFAC glazing will be installed at Great Kneighton, with VELFAC also managing design and delivery – a significant undertaking as Anthony Bolton, VELFAC Project Co-ordinator explains: ‘Countrywide asked VELFAC to handle the entire design process, from initial review of architects drawings, through to manufacture and delivery. Great Kneighton is also a complex project; the

| 11

‘The success of the project depended on the ability to schedule the design and delivery of a high volume of windows; not only are we happy with the product and its capacity to meet a very wide range of design and performance criteria, but also with the performance from VELFAC as a supplier, given that this is one of Europe’s largest building developments.’ Catherine Brooking, Countryside’s Associate Director (Development) of New Homes and Communities

At Great Kneighton many of the homes deliberately exploit the VELFAC slim frame design to maximise natural light.

as windows may be installed within brick, timber or zinc façades.’ Window design and approval are being handled house by house, with manufacture and delivery scheduled to coincide with a tight installation programme: ‘Given the limited storage available on site, windows must be delivered one week before installation,’ explains Anthony. ‘As manufacture is an eight week process, we have to maintain constant communication between our factory and the Countryside team to ensure we deliver when required.’

development features different housing styles set out in ‘neighbourhoods’, with the window requirement for each individual house dependent on factors such as plot position (middle or end terrace, for example), interior layout, or left or right openings. As well as the high number of window permutations, we also have to accommodate the range of interface details required by the different housing styles,

Added value with VELFAC It’s not unusual for VELFAC to provide design support, but rarely on a project of this size and over such a long period – up to five years and possibly longer if more land is released for development. However, it’s a challenge which VELFAC is more than ready to meet, says Anthony: ‘We have an excellent client support team and have the technical and logistical expertise required to make sure major contracts are handled efficiently and professionally. A project such as Great Kneighton requires a significant investment of time, but it is all part of the added value embodied in the VELFAC offer.’

12 | VELFAC | Architecture, EMNEORD design and daylight

| 13

Danish architect Bjarke Ingels answers five questions about daylight and architecture

Yes is more W

To internationally renowned Danish architect Bjarke Ingels, architecture is about creating a framework for the life we want to live in the future. Read his ideas on the use of daylight in architecture, which for Bjarke should neither be uninhibited avant-garde or dogmatic modernism.

hat do you think about the

people around the globe used local

intersection of function

materials and local techniques to

and aesthetics in relation to

adapt their buildings to the local

daylight and architecture? Bjarke Ingels: At my studio - BIG - we are very interested in what we call ‘engineering without engines’ - or as it is sometimes called ‘Vernacular Architecture 2.0’. Bernard Rudofsky

climate and landscape. The result was a variety of expressions, which were neither aesthetic nor academic, but instead were local adaptations as through natural evolution. One example of this can be seen in

introduced the concept in the 1950s

the white cubic villages in Greece -

as a reaction against modernism,

white to reflect the heat and with flat

a style which meant that all new

roofs where you can enjoy the cool

buildings gradually looked the

evening breeze.

same. He was fascinated by how

Today, sophisticated technology

14 | VELFAC | Architecture, design and daylight

Awards - a selection of Bjarke Ingels and BIG accolades

2001 2004 Henning Larsen Prize

The Golden Lion

2007 Mies van der Rohe Award

2008

World Architecture Festival Award

2011

2012

Danish Crown Prince Couple's Culture Award

American Institute of Architects Honor Award

2013 Danish Lighting Award

How do you work with daylight and design? BI: Daylight and view are two of the most important parameters of quality of life and productivity in a home or at work - and so the experience of space and daylight is crucial in terms of luminance, contrast, light, colour and glow. The colours that come from the exterior - such as a blue or gray sky, green, yellow or red trees - are a vital part of the impression and feel of a room. I am also very interested in strengthening the connection between indoor and outdoor areas, and windows are an important part of

8HOUSE is designed by Bjarke Ingels and his studio BIG. The project combines residential and commercial purposes and is located on the edge of the Copenhagen Canal with a view of the surrounding open spaces. The bow-shaped building creates two distinct spaces, separated by the centre of the bow which hosts communal facilities of 500 m2. VELFAC has supplied windows for the project, which was completed in 2010 and has received numerous awards.

allows us to model, simulate and

are contributors socially, ecologically

calculate the behaviour of light, air

and economically. The buildings that

and temperature. This means that

BIG create look different because they

we too can optimize our buildings

perform differently. They do not follow

according to their environment and

a standard construction but take

to their function.

several factors into account, answer multiple needs, and fulfill more dreams.

How does BIG work with

They simply do more and therefore

sustainability?

they also end up looking different.

BI: We rarely talk about sustainability

One of my partners at BIG has

alone. Instead, it's about how a building

recently been DNGB certified

contributes to the place it is a part of

(European sustainability standard) and

- what does it add in terms of space,

we have started to perform daylight

meeting places, shelter and resources,

simulations in-house, because we can

and what does it use in terms of space,

use it as an active tool which is fully

sunlight and energy? Good buildings

integrated into the design process.

TED TALK on ‘BIG philosophy’ The design process is, according to Bjarke Ingels, like Charles Darwin's theory of evolution; only the best (idea) survives. Listen to Bjarke Ingels' TED TALK about the design philosophy behind BIG, 'Yes is More '. TED TALK challenges some of the world’s ‘most fascinating’ thinkers to give the ‘talk of their lives’ in 18 minutes or less, with the results free to watch online.

| 15

the invitation to go outside. If one

allows us to create a façade where

is constantly reminded that this

permanent sun protection is always

possibility does exist, it is far more

optimally designed. Although it sounds

likely that one ends up going outside.

a theoretical solution, the result is actually incomprehensibly beautiful - a

How do you use the daylight to

form of organic decoration that evokes

shape space?

the patterns found on fingerprints or

BI: Residential and commercial

coral formations. Call it functionalism

buildings have different daylight

in artistic decoration.

needs. Workplaces look for daylight but shun glare and heat, while residential buildings benefit from the sun (at least in Scandinavia) and these principles guide our building design. For example, at our project called ‘Mountain Dwellings’ in Copenhagen, all the apartments have south facing terraces while the parking facilities occupy

How do you see the relationship

Tweet him - This is how Bjarke Ingels describes himself on twitter:

between design ambition and technological opportunity? BI: We see a series of revolutions taking place that will radically change our options. Technology already gives us far more intelligence and power in the design process and so

deep, north-facing floors. At the ‘8

@Bjarke Ingels

House’ project, shops and offices are

solutions with economies of scale,

lifted up into the sun, where they

ounding Architect of BIG, F wannabe comic book artist and accomplished mermaid abductor New York and Copenhagen

also enjoy the view. At the Maritime

big.dk

the actual results always come more

located on the north- and street-facing aspects, while the apartments are

Museum in Elsinore, we brought daylight down to the exhibition halls

we can begin to combine tailored and now nanotechnology is opening up even more new and unimagined possibilities. As with all innovation, slowly than you expect, but I feel that it is our responsibility as architects

eight metres underground by using

to use every project as a chance to

the old dry dock as a giant atrium. In

designing the French museum Cité

move our profession a step further

a gym at my high school in Hellerup,

du Corps Humains, we decided that

and also move a step closer to the

we let the daylight wash down the

all permanent shading should be at

city we dream of. ln recent years,

walls to create a daylight perimeter,

the optimal position depending on

innovation in glass, such as the use

while the main source of illumination,

façade direction. To the south, the

of low iron, high-insulation materials

at the request of the athletes, comes

ideal position is horizontal as the sun

and heat reflective coatings, has made

from artificial light integrated into

is high in the sky, but to the east and

it possible to use glass and natural

the roof. Often it's not a question of

west, a vertical slat angled to the

light in ways which were unthinkable

either / or, but rather finding the best

north will provide better shade from

before the millennium. I think these

combination of artificial and natural

the low incoming solar radiation in

developments will only accelerate

light.

the morning and evening. A round

in the decades to come; materials

or curvilinear façade will inherently

technology will continue to enhance

have developed a technique where

demand a myriad of different

the quality and quantity of daylight

daylight and sunlight act as the

intermediate positions, and so we

making it an increasingly powerful

driving force in the façade. When

have built a parametric formula that

design parameter in the future.

Through a series of projects we

16 | VELFAC | Architecture, design and daylight

Less is more

It was the principle of simplicity which formed the basis for the development of the VELFAC 200 window, that a window should be as simple and inexpensive to manufacture as possible. Here is the history of a design classic told by the man behind it, Danish engineer Carl Hammer.

arl Hammer sits back and remembers the exciting time, in the early 1980s, when the VELFAC 200 window system was first developed. ‘It was very much the technical design phase which occupied our minds in the beginning,’ he says, ‘but the process also led to a change in the mentality of the people in and around the project. This meant that aesthetic design came more and more into focus as the project progressed.’ Today Carl is 68 and has retired as former head of the development department at VELFAC. He is still very active in the window industry, however; he is sought after for his expertise and is a jury member at the Danish Building Appeals Board as well as a consultant for VKR Group’s window museum - 'The Window Collection' - near Copenhagen.

Signature window In his 30 years at VELFAC he was responsible for product development, including the development of the first Danish

wood/aluminum window with a pure aluminum sash - the VELFAC 200 window. Today the window system is synonymous with VELFAC and is manufactured according to the same principles and with the same design as when it was first introduced to the market by Carl and his team back in 1985. ‘It is remarkable that the window system has remained unchanged in its design since it was launched,’ he comments. ‘The technical design is obviously improved as the ‘engine’ of the window has been changed several times primarily to enhance insulation. But the 54 mm sash, which hides the frame to deliver a slim profile, has not been altered. This means the frame appears to be floating in the wall and stands out with clear lines.’

The real wood / aluminum window Two things prompted the development of VELFAC 200: economics and the desire for simplicity. At the time, existing VELFAC wood/aluminum products were expensive and of a heavier construction, and not always suitable, aesthetically,

| 17

Former head of the VELFAC development department, Carl Hammer was in charge of the programme which delivered the first Danish wood/ aluminum window with a pure aluminum sash â&#x20AC;&#x201C; the VELFAC 200 - which was launched in 1985.

18 | VELFAC | Architecture, design and daylight

Originally trained as a carpenter, Carl Hammer is a skilled craftsman. Add an inventive nature, and it comes as no surprise that Carl produces his own windows for his house from scratch - based on the VELFAC design.

for all façades. As a result, VELFAC decided to make the simplest wood/aluminum window possible, as Carl explains: ‘The basic idea was to only do things once. In all other wood-aluminum constructions there was a wooden sash onto which was mounted an aluminum cap. We wanted to make a solid wood /aluminum window without anything extra added to the frame or sash.’

Awareness In the beginning, the development department worked mainly on technical aspects, but the team soon became aware of the importance of good design: ‘We gradually became more and more focused on creating a unique design,’ says Carl, adding: ‘The modularity of the system very quickly became an important feature. In the new window system, you could not tell the difference between fixed and opening elements, and this aspect separated the VELFAC 200 window system from all other products on the market.’ The legacy of Carl and his team lives on in the VELFAC 200 system which continues to be specified in projects across Europe, offering the same clean lines and simple, reliable, easy to maintain construction. Together, these features make a VELFAC window both a sound investment in quality, and an important contributor to leading architectural design.

VELFAC 200 product history

1980

VELFAC delivers the first windows covered with an outer a luminum casing specially developed for a specific project in a residential block near Copenhagen. Throughout the 1980s the construction industry begins to d emand windows with aluminum profiles.

1982

The development of VELFAC 200 begins. ‘We have to make Denmark’s simplest and cheapest wood/aluminum window without compromising future technical requirements’, said then CEO Leif Hansen.

| 19

The VELFAC 200 window system was developed in the 1980s. In the beginning, the development department worked mainly on technical aspects, but the team soon became aware of the importance of good design.

1985

VELFAC 200 launched, but under the name RIBO 200.

1986

The sale of wooden windows, which had been p roduced alongside the new wood/ aluminum windows, stops. The focus from now on is on wood/aluminum windows only.

At his home in the bleak landscape of Western Jutland, with a view of the sea and flat, windswept fields, Carl found the inspiration for the VELFAC signature window.

1992

Until this date, the company and its windows were marketed under the brand name ‘RIBO Windows’; from 1992 onwards, the company and its products use the name VELFAC. Since then, the VELFAC 200 window system has undergone technical improvement, however the design is unchanged.

20 | VELFAC | Architecture, design and daylight

THE DESIGN SERVICE – added value, added quality

A philosophy of good design is core to the VELFAC window system, and also to Design Engine, one of a small, handpicked group of contract designers which works with VELFAC on projects across the UK.

Design Engine Director James Rollinson and his team have worked on several cutting edge VELFAC projects.

ased in Halesowen, Design Engine has been part of the VELFAC team for over 10 years and is expert in VELFAC products and processes. ‘Our role is to provide architects, main contractors, structural engineers, installers

and third party designers with accurate, authoritative guidance on timescale and design throughout the construction process,’ explains Design Engine Director James Rollinson. ‘We aim to get involved as early as possible, preferably pre-order, so we can discuss functionality and ensure that the interface between the primary fabric and VELFAC unit is suitably robust - particularly important when working with modern fabrics such as SFS, and with rain screen technologies.’

Successful communication Close co-operation and constant communication is key, adds VELFAC Technical Director Jim Rowley:

| 21

Design Engine is a small, handpicked group of contract designers which works with VELFAC on projects across the UK.

‘It’s a family approach,’ he says. ‘Design Engine team members work closely with our Technical Department and understand our culture and values very well. As a company, we ensure all our design contractors are up to speed on new product and company developments, but we also share our response to issues which may be causing concern – measurement ambiguities for example – so that we can prepare for similar scenarios in the future. We aim for a personal, ‘non-contractual’ relationship as this open and honest approach delivers the best results for everyone.’ For James Rollinson, this is further evidence of the drive for quality: ‘VELFAC believes its products are the best on the market, and so our technical services must match this quality. Architects and contractors increasingly rely on design teams to provide the technical and research support required to ensure performance levels and regulatory compliance. Despite the wealth of information now available to architects, they want designers like ourselves to guide them on the necessary subtleties and nuances embodied in their client’s vision.’

Prepared for demanding projects Over the years, Design Engine and VELFAC have worked on many unusual projects which have demanded highly skilled input: ‘One example was a project which demanded a hung, rather than stacked window wall, and another major residential project that asked for window installation to take place before masonry was weather skinned, while still ensuring compliance with all the relevant standards,’ comments James. ‘Although these were cutting edge projects, the versatility of the VELFAC frame places few limitations on architectural design, and as this type of project often paves the way for future innovations, we can also build on the knowledge we gain.’ For Jim and James, a co-operative relationship is also essential if they are to meet emerging challenges, as Jim explains: ‘In recent years, an increasing number of projects are being driven by the main contractor with the result that many functions previously undertaken by the architect are now being handled by the supplier. This means that responsibility and accountability are shifting

22 | VELFAC | Architecture, design and daylight

and is something we – together with Design Engine – are

dominate. We need to be proactive in our response to BIM

preparing for.’

and be prepared to make the investment necessary – which will be significant – to offer the BIM services that eventually

‘Ready for the BIM challenge

the whole construction industry will expect.’

‘The biggest change on the horizon for design teams,

At the moment, however, Design Engine remains focused

however, will be the wholesale shift towards Building

on the immediate needs of VELFAC clients – whether

Information Modelling (BIM), which will be just as

new build or refurbishment: ‘As few projects bear any real

revolutionary as the move from the drawing board to CAD.

similarity in detail, we treat each project as the first of its

As a supplier, we are just a small cog in the very big BIM

kind, using our collective experience and knowledge to

machine, but we have to be ready to move towards this new

ensure the outcome is as the architect and client expects.

way of working.’ James Rollinson agrees: ‘BIM is something

Our main priority is to agree the final full set of drawings, but

that many in the industry know they will be using, but

we always stay involved until the project is fully delivered,

are still not sure how, or which system will eventually

remaining keen and committed right through to the end.’

‘As few projects bear any real similarity in detail, we treat each project as the first of its kind, using our collective experience and knowledge to ensure the outcome is as the architect and client expects.’ Design Engine Director James Rollinson

Around VELFAC | 23

Sign up for our e-zine Get the latest technical news on windows delivered directly to your inbox by signing up for our e-zine at www.VELFAC.co.uk.

BREEAM EXCELLENCE in Plymouth A new student, doctor and key worker accommodation complex at Plymouth University and Royal Cornwall Hospital, featuring VELFAC windows, achieves BREEAM Excellence. VELFAC windows helped reduce the U-value for the total project, with the result that it was

Windows in art

awarded 37 out of 40 points on the BREEAM 'scale'.

Book a CPD Presentation VELFAC offers a CPD presentation for architects and building professionals that explains the concepts of energy balance and efficient window design. Please contact us on 01223 897100 to book a presentation for your team.

â&#x20AC;Ś is a beautifully illustrated book that shows how the window plays a key role in the visual arts. The book, which was written by Christopher Masters, describes how the window in addition to supplying fresh air and daylight also has great symbolic significance. Request a copy from VELFAC. T: 01223 897100 E: post@VELFAC.co.uk

24 | VELFAC | CASE STUDY: BOUYGUES AND BRENT PFI

Project summary • T ype of project: Residential, new build social housing • Year of completion: 2012 • Technical information: The VELFAC 200 systemmet different thermal and acoustic requirements, also meeting Lifetime Homes and Secured by Design standards, and NHBC requirements • Primary opening function: Windows were compliant with current building regulations and the client's ventilation strategy. The brief was also to provide maximum daylight, to allow an internal clean s trategy for non accessible areas. • VELFAC Business manager on the project: Georginna Summers • Main Contractor: Bouygues UK • Architects: Lead architect: Shepheard Epstein Hunter. Also: Fluid Design, HTA Architects and Lawray Architects

Affordable, cutting edge architecture

The Brent Housing and Social Care PFI was a multi-million pound project which delivered 384 much-needed affordable homes in 13 sites across the London borough. All the sites also feature VELFAC glazing.

| 25

Many of the Brent sites are designed to create a local landmark and one of the most imaginative is Alain Court, designed by architects Shepheard Epstein Hunter.

he project was overseen by

architecture emphasising colour,

as Tudor Gardens, an extra-care

Brent Council, working with

space and light.

facility comprising 15 flats - to major

housing provider The Hyde Group and main contractor

and leading construction firm Bouygues UK; the development is now renowned for the quality of the homes built, the emphasis on sustainability, and on the consistent use of highly imaginative

developments such as The Mall, which

VELFAC comes in many styles All the sites also feature VELFAC glazing; the specification, by Bouygues, demanded glazing suitable for a variety of style, location and design briefs and as a result, installations range from the relatively small â&#x20AC;&#x201C; such

features 88 flats and maisonettes across a four-storey, multi-building site. In total, Bouygues specified over 5,100 m2 of VELFAC glazing, installed in windows, doors, balconies and entrances, in a project which took over three years to deliver.

26 | VELFAC | CASE STUDY: BOUYGUES AND BRENT PFI

Outstanding architecture Many of the Brent sites are designed to create a local landmark and one of the most imaginative – and one of the most photographed – is Alain Court, designed by architects Shepheard Epstein Hunter. Built to replace concrete-panel flats, the new development emphasises both individuality and place in a building which reflects the rhythm of nearby housing, while also providing a single mass which wraps around the corner of the site. The exterior design combines white render with bold ceramic tiles – in red, purple, blue and white - to create a 1930s inspired low-rise development of 31 social rented properties (29 flats and maisonettes and two three story houses) that both echo the local neighbourhood and stand out from the immediate environment to make a positive and engaging statement. VELFAC windows feature in both the rendered and tiled façades and provide continuity and contrast while also enhancing the long, curved cantilevered balconies that are such a distinctive feature of the building. Sustainability acknowledgement Alain Court – in common with other developments across Brent - was built

| 27

Alain Court was built to the highest sustainability standards and as a result received an EcoHomes Very Good rating.

to the highest sustainability standards

proves that affordable housing can

development, giving residents an

and as a result received an EcoHomes

be achieved without compromising

immediate benefit in quality and

Very Good rating. Energy efficiency

architectural vision or quality of

sustained levels of performance for

was an important contributor to

build, emphasised by the use of

years to come.

the award and was achieved by

VELFAC glazing throughout the

innovations in building services and design, and by VELFAC glazing, which not only delivers excellent insulation but also requires very low maintenance making it the ideal choice for properties where budgets for upkeep are always under pressure.

Affordable and unique Specification of VELFAC was driven by Bouygues, and the two companies built on an already strong relationship developed through previous projects. Thanks to the versatility of the VELFAC 200 system, VELFAC was able to supply a cost-effective glazing solution which could satisfy the highly varied architectural brief. The Brent PFI scheme was formally delivered in November 2012. The 13 sites allowed the Council to address a shortage of suitable housing for homeless families, reduce reliance on bed and breakfast accommodation and modernise residential care services for people with learning difficulties. The development also

EVERY DAY IS DIFFERENT The Brent PFI project was managed by VELFAC Business Manager Georginna Summers, who joined the company in 2004. The Business Manager provides the link between client and VELFAC, and is there throughout the project lifecycle, from initial enquiry through to final delivery – and beyond. Brent PFI was one of Georginna’s largest projects, but with her experience – and the backing of the VELFAC team – it was delivered as smoothly and efficiently as all the other developments under her remit: ‘Every day and every project is different,’ she says. ‘I enjoy working with architects and contractors to solve their technical requirements, meet their project needs and give the best service I can. VELFAC has the best product range and I am lucky to work with a great team of people.’

28 28| VELFAC | VELFAC| EMNEORD | MAKE THE MOST OF VELFAC

No compromise

VELFAC windows can deliver outstanding energy performance without compromising style or design.

reater use of low energy glazing can often limit design freedom â&#x20AC;&#x201C; but not with VELFAC. Our high performance frame is deliberately

designed to maintain design versatility irrespective of U-values, and as a result, with VELFAC there is no need to compromise. We can deliver both an architectâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s vision, and a building finely tuned to meet the energy demands of owners and residents.

| 29

Uniform sightlines Uniform sightlines guarantee a seamless, flat exterior which remains unaffected by changes in window shape, function or combination. Uniformity is also sustained across windows with different U-values, enabling architects to create stunning façades, long, smooth ribbon window installations, and original and innovative window block designs.

Frame shape VELFAC makes every window to order - and if nothing is standard, anything is possible. We work with our clients to help them realise the full potential of the VELFAC frame design, whether in single units or in original or unusual glazed features. Some rules apply when considering frame shape which we can discuss during specification.

Maintaining patterns A defined façade pattern can be maintained across atria or stairwells by the use of glazing bars, mullions or transoms. Glazing bars can also be used to combine two different glass types within the same sash, for example in glazed ‘apron’ areas, where an obscure or coloured glass panel is placed below a clear panel. Crossed glazing bars can also prove an ideal option for refurbishment projects which echo the original building style. Again, these elements can all be combined with high-energy glass to meet energy efficiency goals.

High quality, low maintenance finishes A hard-wearing finish not only maintains aesthetic impact but significantly reduces maintenance in both the short and long term. The VELFAC external aluminium frame can be anodised in shades of silver or bronze, or polyester-powder coated in any RAL colour - versatile and durable options which can either deliver a statement or minimise frame impact. In addition, the composite frame design allows a dual frame finish, with internal pine treated with clear lacquer or painted in any RAL colour to match the interior design brief.

30 30 || VELFAC VELFAC || EMNEORD VELFAC ON DISPLAY

The

future is here T

wo custom-made VELFAC

efficient homes which are also very

windows featured in an

quick to build.

installation by innovative house fabrication company

Facit Homes in the London-based Design Museum exhibition ‘The Future is Here: A New Industrial Revolution’. The exhibition explored the ‘increasingly blurred’ boundaries between designer, manufacturer and consumer, and focused on emerging manufacturing techniques such as 3D printing.

Cutting edge fabrication Facit Homes has established an international reputation for its digital fabrication techniques which use computer-controlled cutting equipment to manufacture building components on-site, used to create highly energy

Exceptional energy efficiency The Design Museum installation featured VELFAC windows within a free-standing section of a typical Facit Homes house; VELFAC composite, aluminium and wood glazing has already been installed in a number of Facit Homes projects, as the windows meet the company’s brief for exceptional energy efficiency combined with good design. A report of the exhibition can be found online at http://designmuseum.org/ exhibitions/2013/the-future-is-here

CASE STUDY: CROUCH HILL COMMUNITY PARK | VELFAC | 31

VELFAC contributes to exemplar

CARBON-NEGATIVE REDEVELOPMENT VELFAC windows and window walling have been installed in the UK’s first carbon neutral school, built as part of an ambitious scheme to transform an unkempt piece of land in Islington, London, into an exemplar carbon-negative development.

nce neglected urban woodland, Crouch Hill

Schools – Pilot and Exemplar Projects initiative.

Community Park is now home to Ashmount

Ashmount Primary School, which formally

Primary School and a refurbished youth centre

opened in 2013, has also already won a

(both featuring VELFAC glazing), a purpose built

BREEAM Award for Highest Scoring

pre-school nursery, an ecology centre, and an upgraded

Project in the education sector,

multi-use games area.

received an EPC Rating of A+, and is expected to achieve

Passive design measures Ashmount Primary School, designed by architects Penoyre & Prasad, uses a range of passive design measures to reduce overall energy consumption and increase biodiversity. These include sedum roofs, grey water recycling, and a combined heat and power facility to service the entire site, with VELFAC glazing playing an important role in ensuring ongoing sustainability. Large windows and window walling have been installed across the building to maximise daylight and thereby reduce artificial lighting, while also working as part of the building’s natural ventilation system, automatically circulating fresh air while reducing draughts. The high percentage of recycled and recyclable materials within the VELFAC composite aluminium and wood frame was an important consideration when the glazing was specified, as was the excellent insulation, and the option for solar glazing and shading to minimise solar gain. Award winning learning environment As a result of its innovative design, Crouch Hill Community Park has been awarded £500,000 through the Department for Children, Schools and Families Low and Zero Carbon

a final BREEAM rating of ‘Outstanding’.

erg alitet · råd

rgy · desig

NEW BUILD & REFURBISHMENT WITH DESIGNER WINDOWS

en e

WHY COMPROMISE?

ing

gn i · desi

ality · cons

When you can have cutting edge window technology and great design …

With slim, uniform sightlines for both opening and fixed lights, and attractive internal wood frames, VELFAC 200 offers the design quality expected of a premium window, and delivers exceptional energy performance while maximising the use of daylight. For more information on our U-values as low as 0.8 W/m²k and the posibilities with the VELFAC 200 window system, please call us at T: 01223 897100 or read more at www.VELFAC.co.uk

VELFAC 200

VELFAC 200 ENERGY

The original slim

The original slim frame

frame window design

VELFAC LTD / T: 01223 897100 / E: POST@VELFAC.CO.UK / WWW.VELFAC.CO.UK

design with improved thermal properties