30 Euston Square is a striking Grade II* Listed building dating back to 1906. It has an imposing Victorian façade with an original Greek revival style entrance hall and internally is full of ornate architectural details. It is perceived by many to be one of the most important works of the renowned architect Arthur Beresford Pite (1861 – 1934).
First built as the headquarters of the London, Edinburgh and Glasgow Assurance company, it later became home to various Governmental Agencies following the creation of the National Health Service in 1948. Maintaining the legacy of the health related professionals who have occupied the building since it was constructed; in 2010 it was acquired by the Royal College of General Practitioners (RCGP), who took up the task of refurbishing and upgrading its spaces.
Selectaglaze has a long standing relationship with RCGP and has carried out a number of installations to different areas of the building over the years. Located in an extremely busy part of London and having only single glazed steel or timber casements, thermal insulation and more importantly noise insulation needed to be upgraded to improve the environment for the users.
In 2010, the new owners decided it was necessary to undertake works to reduce noise ingress on the façade overlooking the Euston Road. The State Room on the top floor is often let out for private functions, yet suffered from noise ingress through the beautiful roof lights covering the length of the room. To make the space more usable, it was decided to treat it with secondary glazing. However, the extra weight of the frames and heavy acoustic glass demanded some preparatory work, with reinforced steel framing added upon which the secondary glazing was fixed. Side hung casements were installed which meant full access was maintained for cleaning and maintenance of the roof lights and also gave a full view of the original glazing.
Again, on the same façade, on a few of the lower floors there are study rooms where GP members can stay when they are on College business. Secondary glazing has been installed to prevent noise from passing traffic. The lower floors contain examination rooms, where around 3,000 GPs a year take their final assessments. These rooms required optimum noise reduction to enable complete concentration for students who were near to gaining their medical qualifications. Various types of units were installed, including vertical and horizontal sliding units and side hung casements.
In 2012/2013, Selectaglaze returned to install secondary glazing to other parts of the building, which were either used for RCGP staff or as tenanted office areas. These were mainly overlooking Euston Square and a few of the study bedrooms towards the rear of the building.
The option of double glazing was explored for all the treatments, but as the building is Listed, the original windows had to remain. If new windows had been installed, the required reduction in dB would not have been achieved. Secondary glazing is not only accepted in Listed buildings by most heritage agencies, due to it being a reversible adaptation; but is also the most effective method of reducing noise ingress and egress.
The local area has transformed dramatically in recent years, with Euston Station set to become the end point of the new HS2 high speed rail link.
In 2016 Selectaglaze was approached to install secondary glazing to areas of the RCGP building overlooking Stephenson Way and Euston Street to help combat any noise from the building work.Working to an architect’s specification, the design was finalised and after listed planning consent was granted, installation began. Works were carried out over a number of floors to a vast number of openings, creating quiet working spaces for those in the offices. All units specified grant access to the primary windows, to enable the maintenance and cleaning.
Secondary glazing is one of the most effective methods of reducing noise ingress. If a cavity of 150mm from the primary glazing can be achieved and acoustic laminate glass used, then reduction of over 48dB can be attained. Furthermore, with the high performance seals around the perimeter of the frames, thermal insulation is increased and prevents the spread of dust and dirt.
With works in the surrounding area due to finish in 2026 – the projected date for the opening of the new terminus, the occupants should feel a difference in their offices, exam rooms, study bedrooms and other event spaces; with a nice quiet environment where they can sleep well, concentrate and hear themselves think.
Established in 1966, Royal Warrant Holder Selectaglaze is the leading specialist in the design, manufacture and installation of secondary glazing. The extensive range of systems have undergone rigorous third party testing and are certified for acoustics, thermal efficiency and for enhanced protection against intruders and the effects of blast. Selectaglaze will be showcasing a variety of secondary glazing products at Futurebuild from the 5th – 7th March, ExCel London at Stand D21.
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