Selectaglaze secure glazing for historic museums

Selectaglaze has developed a range of secure secondary units tested against physical intrusion using the BS7950 standard and the Loss Prevention Standard LPS1175.

The units, accredited to Secured by Design, have been developed for traditional buildings where the windows cannot be altered or changed.

Selectaglaze has provided its expertise for three historic properties recently been transformed into museums; a sewage treatment works and pumping station, a Town Hall, and a private house.

Leighton House in London's Holland Park, was built between 1864 and 1879 for Frederic, Lord Leighton, the eminent classical painter and President of the Royal Academy of Art.

Following Lord Leighton's death in 1896, the house was opened as a museum and in 1925 was sold to the Royal Borough of Kensington, predominantly for use as a concert venue, with an extension added to provide additional gallery space.

The building sustained bomb damage during WWII and underwent piecemeal repair and restoration over many years.

Around two years ago a decision was taken to restore the house recreating the original appearance using old photographs and through the loan of many key paintings.

As part of this restoration it was decided to improve the security of selected windows to Secured by Design standards by using secondary glazing.

It was important to respect the sight lines of the traditional sash windows and each window has been treated with a single hinged casement close coupled and finished in matt black to match the existing paintwork.

The inclusion of anti-bandit glass and multi-point locking ensures discreet protection.

The second property was The Beam Engine Museum.

In 1850 North London saw a permanent Local Board of Health set up to combat the problem of sewer and persistent water contamination.

This eventually resulted in the establishment of a sewage treatment works and pumping station, which remained in operation until the mid 1960's.

Recognised as a Site of Industrial Heritage Interest and Importance this Grade II listed building is a reminder of the success of Victorian engineering and technology.

With the assistance of Lottery funding, the engine and its house have been restored and renovated forming the centrepiece of a regeneration scheme.

The Pump House, now a working museum, offers members of the public firsthand experience of the engine in operation.

To get to this stage, work was required to the building, particularly to the windows which had been bricked up to avoid vandalism to the Beam Engine.

The windows have now been opened up and fitted with protective screens that follow the lines of the arched windows.

Selectaglaze provided a system of panels glazed with an anti-vandal polycarbonate sheet fixed to the outside of the window and finished in a dark green to match the window frame.

The fial property was The Willis Museum, Basingstoke.

Dating back to the 1830's, this historic building was Basingstoke's Town Hall until the 1980's, when it became The Willis Museum.

The Museum has recently undergone a refurbishment programme, which included the restoration of many of the original features, and the creation of an art gallery.

As part of the upgrade programme, Selectaglaze installed its Series 80 Secured by Design accredited heavy duty Horizontal Sliding units incorporating central locks and anti-bandit glass.

Security secondary glazing will also reduce external noise, and significantly improve the thermal performance of the window, reducing heating costs.

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