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27 February 2003
Planar Project for International Sotware Group Reflects Technical Expertise of Leicester Glazing Team |
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Stunning visual impact – Hyperion’s new UK offices
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The technical expertise of Norman & Underwood’s Glazing Systems Division in Leicester is reflected in a state of the art office project for an international computer software group.
This £750,000 glazing contract at Hyperion’s 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 different aspects of the recent 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 a flush façade and a light, open atrium.
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 very 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.”
Pilkington Planar is known as 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.
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 much in vogue with architects and designers, so we expect to secure other high profile contracts which use Planar.”
Norman & Underwood is currently working on a smaller contract involving Planar glass for an office development in Soho Square, London.
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