Kawneer windows help convert carpet factory

Kawneer's aluminium systems were cost effective solution for ZMArchitecture when replacing the windows in Grade A listed building.

Replacing the windows in a Grade A listed building was a "critical" element of the conversion of a former historic carpet factory into contemporary apartments but Kawneer's aluminium systems were a "cost effective" solution for ZMArchitecture.

The new windows had to replicate the existing thin steel single-glazed ones which were not suitable for their new use and ZM specified Kawneer's GT70 system which combines the technical performance expected of today's aluminium windows with the fine sightlines characteristic of original steel.

ZM had not used Kawneer systems before but the system was recommended by Hunter and Clark and Linn-Tech Scotland, the main- and sub-contractors for the GBP2.8million conversion of the Axminster Building at the former Templeton Carpet Company overlooking Glasgow's oldest park.

Working to a brief from specialist developers Old Mill Studios to create apartments from the building that was converted into offices in 1982, ZM made clever use of light and space to achieve mezzanine floors and internal bed spaces to maximise the number of units despite a limited number of existing window openings.

Kawneer-approved installer Linn-Tech was probably thankful the 93 existing windows were limited in number since practically each one had to be fabricated individually as the large openings varied in height and width - up to 50mm from one end of the 2,820m building to the other.

However, particularly detailed work at the design stage ensured the disparity was allowed for in the window head and jambs so that all the mullions and transoms - up to six in a typical three-metre-tall window - remained the same.

In addition, with up to 28 panes of double-glazed glass in each window, the mullions - sometimes up to five in each window - had to be strengthened with additional box sections.

This attention to detail enabled the six stories of windows to be fabricated consistently to avoid additional installation time, according to projects manager Kevin Hogg.

"The thin sightlines of the GT70 system made it more difficult but the end result is absolutely appropriate for such an iconic building.

It was certainly a one-off to work on," he said.

Replacing the windows and re-roofing were critical parts of the 15-month-long project because the building could not be fitted out as studio and one- to three-bedroomed apartments until it was wind and watertight.

ZM senior architect Richard Pears said: "The existing steel, single-glazed windows were not suited to the new use and the new windows had to replicate the thin section as closely as possible.

Kawneer's GT70 was a cost-effective way of doing this.

It is a great product.

"A significant portion of the building is window so getting this element right was critical, particularly given the sensitivity associated with the Grade A listing".

The Templeton complex contains some of Glasgow's most iconic and culturally significant historic buildings.

All six are Grade A listed with perhaps the most notable being Sir William Leiper's spectacular Venetian gothic facade built in 1889 that is commonly referred to as The Doge's Palace.

Adjoining this is George Boswell's Axminster building which was built in 1938 with its top two floors in polychromatic brickwork - orange, yellow and blue - in deference to Leiper's building.

Its conversion into apartments, with new gallery floors and roof gardens, involved full internal strip out back to the original factory open floor plate and conservation of the glazed brick facade to Glasgow Green.

ZM Architecture won a GBP22million competition to develop and convert the former factory to give more than 170,000ft of commercial space and 175 residential units.

It is conceived as a model mixed-use development that provides a structured framework for contemporary urban living and working and has become a landmark regeneration project in the strategically vital area of Glasgow's east end.

A range of programs from offices, workshops, studios, live/work units, childcare facilities, and restaurant and bar come together within an integrated series of landscaped courtyards.

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