220-Winnersh-Triangle-Full-Building-Angle-scaled
220-Winnersh-Triangle-Angle-scaled
220-Winnersh-Triangle-Interior-scaled
220-Winnersh-Triangle-Full-Building-scaled
Overview
220 Winnersh Triangle is part of a well-known business park development located in Berkshire, UK. The building forms part of the Winnersh Triangle commercial estate, which hosts multiple office buildings designed to attract corporate tenants and technology companies.
Over time, the façade of the building began to show signs of ageing. The curtain wall system had areas of deterioration and some of the double-glazed units had failed. This affected both the performance and visual appearance of the building envelope.
To improve the marketability of the building and extend the life of the façade system, the building owners commissioned a refurbishment project focused on repairing and upgrading the existing curtain wall façade.
Structura was appointed to carry out the façade refurbishment works, including replacing failed glazing units, designing and installing new external capping elements, and refinishing the existing curtain wall panels.
This project demonstrates how targeted façade refurbishment can restore the performance and appearance of an ageing office building while avoiding the cost and disruption of a full façade replacement.
Details
Client:
Patrizia UK
Location:
Winnersh Triangle Business Park, Berkshire, UK
Architect:
EPR Architects
Main Contractor:
Collins Construction Ltd
Project Metrics
While refurbishment projects vary in scope depending on the condition of the existing façade, the 220 Winnersh Triangle project involved the following key elements:
Project Type: Commercial office façade refurbishment
Scope of Work:
- Replacement of failed double-glazed units
- Design and installation of new external curtain wall capping
- On-site spray refinishing of existing curtain wall panels
Project Objective:
- Improve the appearance of the building façade
- Restore curtain wall performance
- Increase the building’s attractiveness to prospective tenants
The Challenge
Commercial office buildings rely heavily on the appearance and performance of their façades. The curtain wall system is one of the most visible architectural elements and plays a critical role in both the building’s aesthetic appeal and its environmental performance. At 220 Winnersh Triangle, several challenges needed to be addressed to restore the façade to a high standard.
Ageing Curtain Wall Components
Over time, curtain wall systems can experience wear due to weather exposure, temperature changes, and normal building movement. In this case, parts of the façade had deteriorated, affecting both performance and visual consistency. Failed double-glazed units were present in several areas of the building. When glazing units fail, condensation can develop between the panes, reducing clarity and affecting the building’s appearance. If left unresolved, these issues can gradually impact occupant comfort and the perceived quality of the building.
Maintaining the Existing Façade System
Rather than replacing the entire curtain wall system, the goal of the project was to repair and refurbish the existing façade where possible. This required a careful assessment of which components could be retained and which elements required replacement. Refurbishment projects often require greater precision than new façade installations because new components must integrate seamlessly with existing structures.
Improving the Building’s Visual Appeal
The appearance of a commercial building plays a major role in attracting tenants. A façade that appears dated or poorly maintained can make office space more difficult to lease. The building owners therefore wanted the refurbishment to deliver a noticeably improved exterior appearance while maintaining the original architectural character of the structure.
Delivering the Work with Minimal Disruption
As part of an active business park, refurbishment work had to be planned carefully to minimise disruption to surrounding businesses and building occupants. This required careful sequencing of work and coordination of on-site activities to ensure the project progressed efficiently.
Structura’s Solution
Structura delivered a targeted façade refurbishment strategy designed to restore the performance and appearance of the curtain wall system while preserving the existing structure. The works focused on three main areas: glazing replacement, new external capping design, and refinishing of the façade panels.
Replacement of Failed Double-Glazed Units
The first step in the refurbishment was identifying and replacing failed double-glazed units within the curtain wall façade. Double-glazed units are designed to provide insulation and clarity, but over time the seals between the panes can fail. When this occurs, moisture may enter the cavity between the panes, leading to condensation and reduced visibility.
Structura carefully removed the failed glazing units and installed new double-glazed panels designed to restore the façade’s visual clarity and performance. Replacing the glazing units improved the overall appearance of the building while helping ensure the façade continued to perform effectively.
Design & Installation of External Capping
Another key part of the refurbishment involved designing and installing new external capping elements for the curtain wall system. External capping plays an important role in protecting curtain wall components and maintaining the overall visual consistency of the façade.
Structura designed new capping to integrate with the existing curtain wall structure while improving the exterior detailing of the building. These elements help protect façade joints and provide a cleaner architectural finish across the elevation.
Refinishing the Curtain Wall Panels
To complete the refurbishment, Structura refinished the existing curtain wall panels using specialist on-site paint spraying techniques. Over time, façade panels can lose their original finish due to exposure to weather and environmental conditions. Repainting the panels helped restore a consistent appearance across the building.
On-site spray application allowed the panels to be refinished efficiently while maintaining a high-quality finish. This stage of the project played an important role in delivering the building’s refreshed appearance.
Integrated Refurbishment Approach
By combining glazing replacement, façade detailing improvements, and panel refinishing, Structura was able to restore the curtain wall system without requiring full replacement. This integrated approach allowed the project team to focus on the areas that required improvement while retaining much of the existing façade structure. The result was a cost-effective refurbishment strategy that improved both performance and visual appeal.
Project Results
The refurbishment of the curtain wall façade at 220 Winnersh Triangle delivered a significant improvement in the appearance and functionality of the building envelope. The completed works helped extend the life of the façade while improving the building’s attractiveness to potential tenants.
Restored Façade Appearance
One of the most visible results of the refurbishment was the transformation of the building’s exterior. Replacing failed glazing units restored clarity to the façade, while refinishing the curtain wall panels delivered a consistent and modern appearance. The building now presents a cleaner and more professional exterior within the Winnersh Triangle business park.
Improved Marketability for Tenants
For commercial office buildings, the visual quality of the building plays a major role in attracting tenants. The refreshed façade provides a more desirable appearance for businesses considering office space within the development. As a result, the building owners are better positioned to market the office space to potential tenants.
Extended Life of the Curtain Wall System
Refurbishing the curtain wall rather than replacing it allowed the building owners to extend the service life of the existing façade system. Replacing failed glazing units and improving façade detailing helps ensure the curtain wall continues to perform effectively in the years ahead. This approach provides long-term value while avoiding the cost and disruption associated with full façade replacement.
Efficient Refurbishment Delivery
By focusing on targeted repairs and upgrades, the refurbishment was delivered efficiently while maintaining the structure of the existing façade. This approach allowed improvements to be made without the need for extensive structural alterations.
Why Curtain Wall Refurbishment Matters
Curtain wall systems play a critical role in both the performance and appearance of commercial buildings. Over time, glazing units may fail and façade finishes may deteriorate due to weather exposure. Targeted refurbishment can restore these systems while avoiding the cost of full replacement. Benefits of curtain wall refurbishment include, improved building appearance, extended façade lifespan, restored glazing performance, and enhanced tenant appeal for commercial buildings. Projects like 220 Winnersh Triangle demonstrate how refurbishment strategies can effectively revitalise existing office buildings.
Structura’s Expertise in Façade Refurbishment
Structura provides specialist façade engineering and refurbishment services for commercial developments across the UK. Through careful assessment and targeted refurbishment strategies, Structura helps building owners extend the life of existing façades while improving building performance and appearance. Their experience includes work on:
- Curtain wall systems
- Glazing replacement
- Façade refurbishment projects
- Architectural façade upgrades
- Complex glazing installations