A newly-built, environmentally friendly primary school in south Wales has been given an environmental kick-start thanks to the use of Fibre window systems, the latest addition to the innovative range by glazing systems designer and manufacturer, Senior Architectural Systems.
Fibre systems were specified for Pen-Y-Fai Church in Wales Primary, near Bridgend, as part of a £4.3 million redevelopment of the school, funded by Bridgend County Borough Council and the Welsh Government.
Senior’s Fibre systems, manufactured from fibreglass profiles, are environmentally friendly and boast superior energy efficiency, without the need for thermal breaks, helping architects to achieve impressive BREEAM ratings. The fibre window systems were used for classrooms, indoor play areas and offices.
The interface between fibreglass frame and glazing – different forms of the same material – helps to ensure the system performs in perfect harmony, leading to stability and a long life.
The Fibre window systems, available as casement, tilt and turn and vertical sliding with a range of hardware options, offer an ideal solution where security is a key consideration and when a substantial lifespan is a commercial necessity, so they are a logical choice for bustling school environments.
The new Pen-Y-Fai school, built by Cowlin Construction Ltd on the site adjacent to the old school, features a music room, nursery unit, reception classroom, large hall and classrooms. Bridgend council’s Architectural Services department designed the building, with the Fibre systems being seen as a major element and Senior’s SCW curtain walling system and SD and SFG glazing system also being utilised for the project.
Senior’s SCW curtain walling systems have been installed in the new hall at the school, flooding the space with natural light and bringing a feeling of openness to those who use the room. The SCW system, which adds sleek, modern lines to the building, is compartmentally drained and has been fully weather tested to the requirements of BS6375.
SCW - a low rise curtain wall system - can be fabricated into ladders for assembly on site, which ensured time was used more efficiently by fabricators ADS Fenestration, who worked on the Pen-Y-Fai project.
The SCW system is compatible with the SD doors, which were used throughout the building. The SD system offers an anti-finger trap feature and its resilience ensures the system’s suitability for high traffic environments. Again, this system brings clean, crisp lines to the building ensuring the school achieves a contemporary look.
Anthony Thorne, director at ADS Fenestration, said: “Senior’s Fibre system gave ADS Fenestration the ideal opportunity to highlight the unique attributes of the product, alongside the already proven SCW curtain walling, SFG shop front glazing system and SD entrance doors.
“With the ongoing demand for higher performance windows, the Senior Fibre system can offer lower U-values, whilst still providing a highly competitive product.”