In 2016, London venue company 'etc.venues' announced plans to open a conference and event space in County Hall. Based on the fourth floor with stunning views across the Thames, the venue opened for business in January 2017. It features 20 multi-purpose interconnecting spaces including two river fronting suites for groups of up to 900.
Shortly after acquiring the lease for the south section of the fourth floor, 'etc.venues' appointed Synergy Architects and Jestico & Whiles as executive and design architects respectively. A bespoke solution was needed for acoustic and thermal insulation. An important aspect of the client's brief was careful restoration of the period features. The original steel windows for example can only be cleaned from the inside, so this facility needed to remain. The nature of the business and the noisy external environment required a demanding level of sound attenuation and compliance with BREEAM requiring special measures to reduce heat loss.
Synergy Architects turned to Selectaglaze, the leading provider of secondary glazing, to install thermal and acoustic efficient secondary glazing, except where there were dado rails, which the conservation officer was keen to retain.
As there were no rising ducts of a satisfactory size, air needed to be supplied and extracted through the existing windows. Only windows facing onto the light well or the courtyards could be used and subsequently the top panes of most of the windows facing into the light wells were boxed in and used for ventilation openings. Secondary glazing was therefore only required to the lower part of these windows.
Main contractor KPS Partnership Ltd arranged a successful trial with Selectaglaze samples. Thereafter, Selectaglaze installed a total of 148 secondary glazing units which were a combination of horizontal sliders and lift-out units. Those units exceeding 1600mm high were fit with a 6mm toughened low-E glass. A minimum glass to glass cavity of 150mm allowed for optimal noise reduction. All aluminium profile and timber grounds were powder coated in a Matt Grey finish.
The successful installation of secondary glazing has enhanced business prospects at 'etc.venues', with conference rooms, event suites and bars now providing an ambient and warm environment to suit any event requirement.
Established in 1966 and Royal Warrant Holder since 2004, Selectaglaze is the leading specialist in secondary glazing. It boasts a wealth of knowledge and a range of extensive products to suit all projects from Listed buildings, to new build hotels. The company offers an extensive range of tested products covering acoustic and thermal performance as well as protection against intruder and blast mitigation. A free technical advisory service and a RIBA approved CPD is offered to architects and designers.