Pilkingtons triple first: triple frameless glazing system in Londons west end

Pilkington has announced the latest addition to its Pilkington Planar range, the Pilkington Planar Triple. Claimed to be the world’s first triple glazed frameless structural glazing system, the product has developed from the original patch plate system pioneered by the company over 40 years ago. According to Pilkington, it is the most advanced form of glass curtain walling system available today.

High performance

Pilkington Planar Triple signifies a major move forward in terms of both improved thermal insulation and design flexibility, and with multiple glass combination, it presents the possibility of further improved solar performance and noise control.

The system has been developed to offer a solution to the demands placed upon the façade designer by the changes to Part L. With a strong acoustic performance and achievable U values of 0.8W/m2K, the system allows the incorporation of a wide range of glass types and support systems such as glass mullions, aluminium and steel purlins and rigging, without compromising either the aesthetic appeal or the thermal performance.

The Pilkington Planar Triple frameless glazing system enables greater transparency in the building envelope, a style choice currently on the increase in public and private buildings alike, and removes the heat path that exists through conventionally framed systems, thereby reducing heat transfer.

The thermal efficiency of the frameless point supported design provides insulation values for the transparent areas of the building envelope, which would be difficult to achieve with a conventional framed design approach.

The first application

A new retail and office development at 47 – 53 Kensington High Street, a five-storey high building, is the first significant use of the Pilkington Planar Triple system in the UK. The offices were completed in January 2005, with retail area on the ground and basement floors taken up by the Dixons Group, which has just opened a PC World.

As a joint initiative between Shepherd Developments and Scarborough Group Plc, this is an exciting new build project that stands on the site of a former listed building, Kensington Market. The old market building had fallen into considerable disarray and had to be demolished.

This highly prestigious London site called for considerable expertise, particularly in the planning and design stage, to ensure project and legislative compliance. The architectural philosophy also had to be extremely sympathetic to the local vernacular. The client, contractors Kier London, specialist sub-contractors Parry-Bowen, and architects Sidell Gibson Partnership, worked together closely to devise an appropriate solution.

Practical considerations

The restoration of the site was subject to strict planning restrictions and a public enquiry. The design responsibility rested with Sidell Gibson Partnership to create a contemporary look that infused the cultural and social characteristics of the local milieu and to provide a design of unashamed modernity, reflecting in its façade the traditional plot widths at the site frontage.

Nestling amongst the hustle and bustle of one of the UK’s busiest and trendiest shopping streets, there were also a number of practical requirements. The external envelope had to provide an effective barrier against street and traffic noise and it had to meet energy efficiency regulations.

Kier London and Parry Bowen settled on using Pilkington Planar Triple and in the process became pioneers for this system. It answered the design brief by taking its inspiration from and reflecting the art deco style and vertical glazed towers of the nearby Barker’s department store. The triple glazing system created a tall vertical glass ‘bay’ above the ground floor and a clear shaft of glass with minimal structural intrusion.

While the glass helped to produce a stunning and dynamic exterior, the functionality aspect of the system was also a key factor in its specification. Pilkington Planar Triple is particularly robust, provides structural integrity and it more than surpasses current legislative requirements. It also offered excellent solar control to create a comfortable and high quality working environment for those inside the building.