Futureproofing a sustainable educational flagship

Schüco curtain walling was specified for the façade of the building and incorporated both glazed and solid panels. With its lightweight bronze metal cladding carefully chosen to match the colour and tone of the landscape, the 48,000 square foot building harmoniously blends into its rural surroundings.

UnTaking a fabric first approach, the architect Cartwright Pickard sought to reduce energy using fenestration to suit solar orientation. Close collaboration between architect, specialist contractor and Schüco was crucial to achieving the project's environmental performance goals.

Engineers tested shading requirements, particularly for the south facing façade, and solid to glass ratios to maximise energy performance. Reflective solid panels within Schüco curtain walls were used to mitigate solar gain while horizontal slots of glazing provide natural light to offices and seminar rooms.

The building’s windows were located to suit solar orientation. Key to passive solar shading was the Schüco projecting cappings, and external fins provide shading from high angle summer sun. These projecting cappings to horizontals together with silicon glaze to verticals helped achieve a uniform appearance between the glass and solid finishes. The result is a building that strikes the perfect balance between environmental performance and aesthetic excellence.