The renovation of the Whiteley building began in 2019 and was a milestone that transformed the listed department store into a new residential, retail, dining and hotel complex with a property value of one billion pounds. Architectural control was given to the renowned British planning office of Foster + Partners.
| Type of Building | Districts and mixed use buildings |
| Product areas | Windows Facades |
| Schüco Systems | Janisol Arte 66 Janisol Arte 2.0 |
| Features | Refurbishment Energy efficiency |
| Location | Bayswater, United Kingdom |
| Completion | 2022 |
| Architects | Foster + Partners |
| Specialist company | Propak Architectural Glazing Ltd |
| Picture credits | © Tim Fisher |
The primary aim was to preserve and continue to use the historical construction elements, particularly those listed as protected monuments. The complex façade package was supplied by specialists Propak Architectural Glazing and included the planning, manufacturing, testing and installation of 170 bespoke, thermally broken steel window systems from Jansen. Today, the complex is home to 139 luxury apartments, 20 shops, cafés and restaurants, a cinema, a fitness studio, an underground car park and the Six Senses Hotel and Spa. One highlight is the carefully restored glass rotunda, which is topped by a glass dome supported by a steel structure.
Achieving the required insulation values while simultaneously preserving the narrow profile face widths of the original windows proved to be a particular challenge. In order to convert the original safety glass into modern, thermally efficient double glazing, Propak consulted with specialist glass companies in several countries. The Janisol Arte 66 steel profile system from Jansen proved to be the optimal choice for the glazing. A customised solution was developed in close collaboration with Jansen, drawing on their expertise in steel and fire-resistant glazing.
