Product category:
Roofing
News Release from: The Rooflight Company | Subject: Rooflights
Edited by the Buildingtalk Editorial
Team on 14 August 2006
Bespoke service for apartment rooflights
Emphasis on bringing as much natural light into the building as possible led to the involvement of specialist manufacturer the Rooflight Company, who created a bespoke product for the project.
Perched placidly above the London rooftops, overlooking some of the most celebrated architecture in the world, one newly-refurbished apartment's spectacular views and bright interior provide a calming perspective on the seething streets below An emphasis on bringing as much natural light into the building as possible led to the involvement of specialist manufacturer the Rooflight Company, who created a bespoke product for the project
This article was originally published on Buildingtalk on 14 Aug 2006 at 8.00am (UK)
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Architect Louise McDonnell reveals: "The brief was to create a light, bright apartment using a mixture of modern and traditional materials".
"Light was a very important element in the design and having used products from the Rooflight Company before on other projects to great effect, we decided to do so again".
"We found that they are easy to install as well as providing an aesthetically appealing lighting solution".
Further reading
Violin Factory on song with rooflights
The factory is in conservation area so slim profile of the rooflights from the Rooflight Company suited the contemporary style of the conversion whilst in keeping with the surrounding architecture.
Rooflights and the modern barn conversion.
Retention of characteris vital in winning support from planners, so where rooflights are used, these should be as near to the cast iron models farmers would originally have used as possible.
'Daylighting' techniques in more buildings
Neil Liddell from the Rooflight Company discusses why 'Daylighting' techniques are employed in more constructions, while in the residential sector, conservatories and sunrooms are hugely popular.
A rectangular, split-level flat roof offers breathtaking, panoramic views of London.
Protected by a single-ply waterproofing membrane topped with teak decking, the raised end of the roof houses an open-air hot tub, while a swimming pool occupies the other end.
A felt-covered enclosure made of glass and steel houses the stairwell down to the rooms below.
Under the stairs, a narrow washroom and utility area is illuminated by the specially-made, 600mm x 1.8m rooflight, which has a discreet profile and very low emissivity glazing.
Operated by a chain-driven motor, it also features rain and temperature sensors to automatically open and close the rooflight depending on the climatic conditions, protecting the space beneath.
Sales and Marketing Manager, Neil Liddell of the Rooflight Company said: "The beauty of the rooflights we produce is that we offer a range of off the peg products as well as providing a bespoke service to tailor make rooflights to more individual specifications and unique environments".
"Often this can be in order to comply with issues of conservation or to suit more modern surrounds, emphasising natural light resources".
Formerly an industrial building, the property's previous owner was entrepreneur Sir Clive Sinclair.
It had already been converted into luxury penthouse apartments before the design and build team from architectural firm McDonnell Associates (MCD) moved in.
Starting again from scratch, they completely gutted the interior, removing two walls and a roofing slab.
New marble and limestone floors were laid, and two stunning white cantilevered Corian staircases were created.
These feature stainless steel and glass rails and sides, and appear to be hanging in mid-air.
Unfortunately, there were some logistical problems to be overcome.
Louise McDonnell explains: "It was impossible to manoeuvre the building materials into and out of the apartment, so we had to hire a big crane and arrange to have the road closed while the materials were craned onto the roof".
The team have created an exercise in chic minimalism - a white marble palace of light and calm to contrast with the gloom of deepest, darkest, King's Cross.
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