The historic waterfront at Gloucester has undergone a multi-million regeneration and at the heart of the scheme is the rejuvenated Merchants Quay development.
Hunter Douglas has created an innovative shutter system for the new landmark dockside building, which sits in the heart of a Grade II listed environment and has to meet strict planning requirements.
The scheme consists of 48 apartments in two blocks on the upper floors accessed by an intervening timber deck and core, the ground floor being restaurants, bars and cafés to service the public space around. Hunter Douglas provided eight sliding shutters and 36 folding shutters with western red cedar fins to help create a distinctive scheme that also complements the historic nature of Gloucester’s waterfront.
The high-profile waterfront scheme allowed Hunter Douglas to highlight the complete shutter system solution it is able to offer. The Hunter Douglas shutters blend style and functionality - inside and out. By providing building exteriors with a distinctive and stylish look as well as offering optimal solar effectiveness for maximum internal comfort.
Like all Hunter Douglas products the shutters provide a total building and architectural solution. The Merchants Quay solution has slender extruded aluminium profiles and rounded edges for a slim appearance and can be installed within the vertical frame profile, so fixation is not visible from the outside.
Top and bottom rails, runners and necessary hardware are all part of the system and a variety of rail brackets permit easy installation.
Using the right system can greatly influence the thermal and visual indoor climate and the Hunter Douglas team worked closely with architects Stride Treglown Tektus and contractors Vinci throughout the process, from specification to installation, to ensure the finished solution met all requirements.
Effective reduction of the amount of solar radiation entering the building, immediately decreases the amount of energy needed to cool the building. Blocking, transmitting, or reflecting direct sunlight and daylight enables Hunter Douglas systems to optimise the interior brightness and glare levels and to maintain the visual contact with the outdoors.
Providing good thermal and visual comfort at a minimum energy cost calls for a careful matching of façade walls, glazing, sun control, lighting and HVAC equipment.
Merchants Quay has become a flagship regeneration project for the city’s Docks, traditionally a thriving area of Gloucester and now enjoying a new lease of life thanks to such impressive developments.
A rich tradition of product innovation stretching back 40 years has made Hunter Douglas the company of choice for those seeking high quality architectural solutions.
Merchants Quay represents another scheme in a programme of high-profile projects where the company has provided bespoke solutions to clients that meet the highest standards.
