Date: 8 December 2010
Radbury of Ayr fabricated and installed around 600 windows and doors as part of the project, which included replacing dilapidated windows and doors, plus newbuild installation in an extensive refurbishment and extension of Ayrshire Central Hospital in Irvine.
The original hospital buildings are 1930s and 40s art deco inspired ‘International Modern Style’ architecture which has been restored to the highest standard as part of this latest building programme. Under the direction of architects Lawrence McPherson Associates and Historic Scotland, Radbury of Ayr was challenged to maintain the visual appeal of the grade B listed 'horseshoe' building to ensure the refurbishment was completed to achieve the desired aesthetic result.
Complementing Radbury of Ayr’s high performance composite aluminium and PVC-U windows and doors finished in dark grey (RAL 7015) are six frameless glass canopies which provide the necessary entrance door shelter without compromising the hospital’s aesthetics. This was particularly important given the prominence of several of the entrance doors on an elevation which faces onto a busy new public road.
SFS intec helped the company meet the challenge of attaching frameless glass canopies to tall, arched-headed 1300mm wide double doors which are also recessed. Using its VDS canopy system, the rear edge of each glass canopy was secured into the door transom with precision-engineered fixing brackets. Two tie-bars then support the outer edge of the glass and fix securely into the upper brick façade, providing a low profile attachment that does not disrupt sightlines.
Steven Bolland, Contracts Manager of Radbury of Ayr said: “We were delighted to be involved with the Ayrshire Central Hospital building programme and make our contribution to improving NHS facilities whilst at the same time helping to preserve vitally important Scottish architecture. The frameless canopies may be a small part of the overall fenestration project but without proper design and installation they could have been detrimental to the building aesthetics. We are therefore extremely grateful to SFS intec for their assistance in achieving the right result.”
The SFS intec VDS canopy fixing system is available in three packages to suit small, medium and large canopies making it easy to specify. Attachment is by proven SFS intec single-point glass retainers and tie rods mounted on the wall bracket with bolts and locking pins. The pitch of the canopy can be adjusted +/- 5 degrees by rotating the tie rods. Through the company’s UK based technical support team, SFS intec is equipped to assist with bespoke requirements and provides a RIBA-approved CPD seminar to provide vital insights to architects pre-design.
Further information about SFS intec’s glass canopy fixing system is available at www.sfsintec.biz/uk or by calling 0113 2085 500.
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