MAXIMISING DAYLIGHT AND THERMAL INSULATION

Diffuse daylight complements outstanding design for new multi-sports activity centre

PURPOSE OF THE WORK:

Structura UK worked alongside Scott Brownrigg Architects to specify Kalwall in order to provide perfectly diffuse natural daylight to the main hall, dance studios and gymnasium for this impressive new multi-sports activity centre.

The intention was to maximise natural daylight whilst eliminating glare and shadows in order to provide an outstanding sports hall that can accommodate multiple activities at the same time.

The design was radical, with the project constructed within Grade II listed grounds, it therefore had to complement the landscape whilst linking the external running track to the main school buildings. This resulted in a flowing glulam roof which the Kalwall elevations sat directly beneath as a clerestory to the South elevation.

Impact performance was also critical as the main hall also provides an indoor premiership level hockey pitch.

WHAT WE DELIVERED:

• 350m2 of Kalwall translucent facades wrapping the building on all elevations.
• Our works were installed from a mixture of access systems including Scaffolding and bespoke MEWPS.

BENEFITS:

Kalwall maximises the natural daylight within the facility whilst eliminating shadows and glare. This provides a very comfortable space internally as well as privacy and outstanding thermal performance.

The space is naturally ventilated, so minimising solar heat gain was essential to the success of the project whilst being able to shape the panels to the contours of the roof at clerestory level was essential, particularly when fixing directly to the glulam beams and having to design to the deflection tolerances of this.

Overall this has contributed to provide St George’s College with an inspirational facility which is without doubt one of the most advanced in the UK.