The new £53m Hartlepool College of Further Education features extensive use of architectural aluminium façade systems from Technal.
Designed by Bond Bryan Architects and built by Miller Construction, the new state-of-the-art campus brings world class education and training facilities together in an iconic building and is set to make a significant impact on the town of Hartlepool, on both its economy and the local community.
The 19,000sqm scheme consists of two blocks linked by a continuous curved atrium space. The central core accommodates shared social facilities and the Learning Core, with classrooms, offices, conferencing suite, restaurant, fitness centre and salons in the north wing and large-scale skills academy spaces in the east wing.
Technal’s MX Visible Grid faceted curtain walling provides floor-to-ceiling glazing for the two-storey main entrance elevation and to the rear façade which spans four storeys and encloses the food court and Learning Core. The MX system was also used for the single storey curtain walling to the workshop areas, a full height glazed entrance lobby and three stair towers.
The curtain walling is complemented by Technal’s FXi65 high performance aluminium windows. More than 400 units were used as composite systems comprising top hung open-out windows and fixed lights, finished in dark grey and set into contrasting white render.
The doors were also supplied by Technal – the CD system was specified in both an automatic sliding configuration for the main entrances and as hinged doors for the fire exits.
Commenting on the project, Jeff Hedley, Project Manager at Miller Construction, said, “We were pleased with how the curtain walling came together on site. Both the windows and the curtain walling were easy to install and look very good – and the faceted glazed façade set into black zinc panelling is particularly dramatic. Technal performed very well.”
Adam Jones, Associate at Bond Bryan Architects, added, “Natural light was very important on this project. The Technal window system allowed us to achieve a linear effect of continuous glazing. The MX curtain walling system has provided us with a good facet to give the appearance of a curved façade for the front and rear elevations.”
Technal’s FXi window suite uses a technically advanced framing system with unobtrusive narrow sight lines. It is available in three module sizes – 46mm, 52mm and 65mm, giving architects and contractors the flexibility to deliver enhanced thermal efficiency and to meet project-specific requirements such as aesthetics, performance, and cost.
MX curtain walling is fully compatible with the FXi window suite, and can be used to create a wide variety of architectural compositions from a single grid system – low to high rise façades, horizontal or vertical emphasis, and ribbon, structural, faceted, beaded and sloped glazing. MX Acoustic for additional noise protection and MX62 for larger glass sizes are the latest additions to the extensive range of MX curtain walling options.
For further information about Technal’s portfolio of commercial aluminium window, door, curtain walling, and low rise façade systems, visit www.technal.co.uk or call 01924 232323.
