Queen Mary University - London, UK
Queen Mary University London, Ali Glass system
Completion scheduled for March 2011
Project size: 400m2
System: Ali Glass, Bespoke Curtain Walling, HPL
DOWNLOAD BROCHURE:Case_Study_brochure.pdf
The Mathematics Research Centre and Astronomy Unit at the Queen Mary University London, draws academic visitors from all over the world. Being one of the largest mathematical science departments in the UK, the re-development of the department encompassed a visually stunning façade designed and manufactured by Aliva that would meet the high expectations of the students and visitors to the facilities.
The Queen Mary University London has a clear view of London's impressive architecture; "The Gherkin" and Canary Wharf are clearly visible. It was therefore vital, that the façade on the foyer extension at the entrance of the university department lived up to its neighbourhood profile.
Aliva worked with Wilkinson Eyre Architects from the early stages of the design of the building to help develop a visually stunning façade, using the Ali Glass system also encorporating a bespoke curtain walling system. The vase plinth section was completed using the Ali HPLS high pressure laminate system and the areas around the foyer in a white rendered finish.
The new entrance to the department takes the form of a single storey structure with Ali Glass panels, the form of which has been generated by a pattern developed by the famous mathematician, Sir Roger Penrose. As well as creating the geometry of the glass panels, a smaller scale subset of Penrose tiling is also applied to the other panels of glass as a graphic pattern. Aliva also designed the bespoke curtain system, with large inclined glass panels across which the pattern continues.
The facade includes laminated glass in a rhomboid shape, with a side length of 1.2m, the inner glass layer being 10mm thick, the outer panel 6mm thick with a clear SGP interlayer between. There is a screen print featuring 3 different RAL colours on the outer surface. Ali Glass anchors have been used to invisibly fix into the back of the inner glass panel. The weight of the glass panels and substructure is aprroximately 50 kg/m2. High performance K15 phenolic installation was used to insulate the building.
The substructure comprises of Aluminium fasteners and horizontal mullions fixed to vertical Ali 2 box sections, held by U brackets into a 200mm Concrete substrate. The glass façade has various inclinations, which the substructure is able to accommodate. The backing structure is capable of working with various complex designs such as the Penrose pattern, and can be designed to pick up fixing points, to minimize the amount of structure required. The adjustable substructure meant that installation is quick and simple, and makes tile removal and joint set out straightforward.
The bespoke curtain walling system designed by Aliva consists of inclined glass panels up to 4m high. Stainless steel pressure plates are included to cope with wind loads. The curtain walling and rainscreen are designed so that the finish between the two is flush.
With completion scheduled for March 2011, the building promises to set another standard for landmarks in the area.
Previous Project | Next Project