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Hyperion Hyperion The technical expertise of Norman & Underwood’s Glazing Systems Division is reflected in a recently completed, state-of-the-art office project for international computer software group, Hyperion. This £750,000 glazing contract at Hyperion’s impressive new UK offices in Egham, Surrey, is the Division’s largest to date utilising Pilkington Planar – the world-leading structural glass system. A team varying between eight and 12 Norman & Underwood glazing specialists worked full-time on the seven-month contract to help create a futuristic office block with stunning visual impact. The Planar exterior panels used on the Hyperion building are secured to the structure by stainless steel ‘spider’ fixings, which are bolted through holes countersunk into the glass. This revolutionary frameless technique means that no fixings are visible on the exterior – resulting in an aesthetically pleasing flush façade and a light, open atrium. Planar’s other technological attributes include its ability to withstand a variety of wind and structural loads and a silicone seal between adjacent panels provides weatherproofing. Sean Flynn, Glazing Systems Manager of Norman & Underwood, said the Hyperion contract was an extremely complex job requiring high levels of technical skill and experience. “We were chosen by main contractor Kier Southern because we are one of the few UK companies which can handle combinations of structural glazing, fire glazing, architectural aluminium systems and balustrading in a single contract”. “The Hyperion contract included all of these elements plus others such as glass lifts and fire glass in the building’s exits and entrance, for example.” Hyperion decided upon a high-tech, glass fronted design after witnessing the popularity of a similar office development nearby which had been completed a year earlier. Mr Flynn added: “The Hyperion building is similar in shape and size and has been built using the most modern architectural building materials available”. “The glazing systems used offer the benefits of maximum amounts of natural light and an anti-glare solar controlled capability that provides extremely good heat insulation.” Pilkington Planar is the Rolls-Royce of structural glazing and is more expensive than conventional glazing panels. Ordinary panels cost from around £350 per square metre whereas Planar glazing is from £800 to £900 per square metre. In the Hyperion contract, 300 square metres of Planar glass panels were used on the exterior alone. The same material was also used in parts of the building’s interior, including the lift shaft. Norman & Underwood’s previous experience in this type of technical project was also instrumental in the firm securing the prestigious contract, believes Mr Flynn. He added: “Norman & Underwood had worked with Kier Southern before and we were invited to offer a price for the complete glazing package”. “Kier had already received a competitive bid from a company that had offered to supply and install all the major glazing systems for the contract. But, as we were in a position to be able to finance a contract of this size as well as being technically compliant, we were selected.” Norman & Underwood is currently working on a smaller contract involving Planar glass for an office development in Soho Square, London. This work requires the interfacing of different materials and includes the provision of three floors of glazing between the office partitions. Given the design appeal of the Planar system, and as one of only 11 Authorised Planar Installers appointed in the UK by Pilkington, Norman & Underwood’s specialist expertise and experience with this material is in great demand. Mr Flynn added: “Glass facades are very much in vogue with architects and designers, so we expect to secure other high profile contracts involving the use of Planar.”   back to top back to major contracts   11-27 Freeschool Lane, Leicester LE1 4FX, England tel: 0116 251 5000 fax: 0116 253 2669 e-mail: [email protected]