Students at Royal
Holloway University of London will now find a brand new, architect-designed
private accommodation and social hub located in Egham, Surrey.
The privately-owned
facility, called Hox Haus, is in an extended and re-modelled Grade II-listed
Victorian gymnasium located a short bus-ride away from Royal Holloway,
University of London.
The project blends
its original Victorian brickwork with two new glazed 'light box' additions
which will provide students with light-filled spaces in which to work,
socialise and relax.
Michael Metcalfe,
national sales manager - UK processing, at Pilkington United Kingdom Limited,
part of the NSG Group, said: “There is a good body of research evidence
building that suggests there is a strong relationship between natural light in
working and studying spaces and the wellbeing of those using the space.
“It has been shown
to promote better sleep, increased physical activity and increased
productivity, all conducive to more effective study.”
In order to maximise
the benefits that the glazing delivers to students using the facility, a
structurally-glazed curtain-wall system from manufacturer Raico was selected
for the project.
The system ensures
that, externally, only a narrow silicone joint remains visible between each
pane of glass, maximising sight-lines in and out of the building while
minimising obstructions to natural light entering.
The glass used
throughout features the high-performance Pilkington Suncool 66/33 solar-control
coating. This means that just 33 per cent of the sun’s energy can pass through,
significantly reducing the heating effect on the interior, while 66 per cent of
light is allowed in, maintaining excellent brightness and views.
Further solar
control is provided by the shading created by anodised metal fins that project
from the glazed wall in key areas, a feature that also adds a distinctive
contemporary aesthetic to the design.
Michael Metcalfe
continued: “In any building that has large areas of glass, there will always be
a risk of excessive heat build-up, which can result in either an uncomfortable
environment for occupants or high running costs and poor environmental performance
if high levels of air-conditioning are used.
“Our solar-control
coatings are engineered to minimise this effect, making it easier to maintain
an ideal temperature all year round without compromising on the advantages
large areas of glazing bring to a building.”
David
Holt, Founder of architects and designers 74 said: “We wanted to create a light-filled and largely transparent overall space that brings the
outside in, references the building’s semi-rural location and offers a warm, comfortable and relaxing
home-from-home for students. The interior feel was to be like a country retreat or clubhouse-with-a-twist.
“Fostering social
interaction was at the heart of the design, and the glazed elements play a key
role in that. We wanted all of the spaces, even those intended for individual
study – to feel connected.”
Paul Williams,
managing director at Vitrine Systems, said: “The combination of Pilkington
solar-control glazing and the state-of-the-art Raico structural glazing units
means students will get maximum benefit from working in a bright and airy
space, whilst having beautiful views of the surrounding countryside.
“The high quality
off the materials also gives the building a ‘premium’ feel which will help fill
students with a sense of pride in their surroundings and help attract the most
talented individuals to apply to study at the college.”
Hox Haus opens its
doors to students for the 2019-2020 academic year. It features IT-equipped
workspaces for individual or group study as well as a downtime space with TV
and games lounges, tea points, vending machines and built-in bar points to
allow pop-up catering for social events.
