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Newnham College Library, Cambridge Glass Floor & Staircase (view other images below) Our Glazing Systems Division have just completed a major contract to upgrade the library at Newnham College, Cambridge. The work was commissioned because part of the existing library was being demolished to make way for the construction of a new two storey library and basement. Our work involved the supply and fixing of glass floor panels and stair treads to a custom-made steel framework for all three floors including two connecting staircases and a glass walkway connecting the existing building to the new building. Newnham College has one of the best-stocked college libraries in Cambridge. The Library has a strong collection of some 90,000 volumes, including approximately 6,000 rare books. The collection is kept as relevant, up-to-date and useful as possible by the annual purchase of over 1,000 new titles to support undergraduate study in all subjects. To ensure disruption to library activities was kept to a minimum the whole Library collection was transferred to high-quality temporary accommodation in the College grounds. The work started with our installation team fitting the clear laminated glass into the steel framework using non-compressible rubber and a two part polysulphide sealant, which was mixed on-site, around the perimeter. Each piece of glass has polished edges, is sandblasted and has polymer coating to the top face to comply with safety requirements. The stair treads have a sandblasted groove design to help with foot to stair stability. Approximately 85 glass panels with a combined weight of 70m2 were used for the floor and 30 glass panels with a combined weight of 8m2 were used for the stairs. The average weight of each panel was 85 kg. The two heaviest panels which were used for the walkway which connected the existing building to the new building weighed 130 kg each. Jason Meredith, contract supervisor said “With almost 10,000 kg's of glass being installed on the project it was important that the calculations were correct for the glass specification." When completed the improved building will meet the needs of the college for the next 30 years including shelf space, study space and IT provision. Increased space will also be provided for the Archives and the Skilliter Centre for Ottoman Studies. Jason added “As usual our installation team worked really hard to complete the project in just six weeks. We have completed other projects similar to this in the past but this is the largest to date" Click to view additional photographs:- view article in word format   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]