LOADING

Type to search

Glass & Glazing

Levolux Leads the way at Brooklands

Share

Velocity is a new £15 million speculative office development in Weybridge, which combines inspirational design with operational efficiency, thanks to a host of cutting-edge features, including an innovative Solar Shading solution from Levolux.

The Brooklands based development, designed by ESA Architecture, reflects the site’s long-standing association with speed and technical innovation, with its aerodynamic, sleek exterior. Two buildings arranged over five floors provide 10,000 m2 of Grade ‘A’ office accommodation.

The BREEAM ‘excellent’ rated development is encased by glazed curtain walling, with clear and fritted glass applied across all elevations. To offset the risk of excessive solar heat gain Levolux was invited to develop a comprehensive external Solar Shading solution comprising its popular Infiniti® Fin system, along with its Contour Screening Louvres.

Along the development’s main south-east facing elevation is an extended array of horizontal diamond-shaped Fins, arranged vertically into two large stacks set in front of two glazed atriums.

Levolux’s Infiniti Fin system provided the optimum Brise Soleil configuration as it features unique concealed fixings, allowing Fins to appear continuous and uninterrupted across each elevation. It also offers architects the flexibility to specify almost any Fin profile, from small aerofoil to large rectangular shaped Fins, or in this instance a diamond-shaped Fin.

Each diamond-shaped Fin, formed from extruded aluminium components, measures 480mm deep and is capable of free spanning up to 3.8 metres. The Fins extend across two bays measuring 28 metres and 15 metres in width, both with a height of 12 metres. Each Fin is cantilevered past the last vertical support to create strong horizontal lines.

In addition, the same diamond-shaped Fins have been grouped into three, running horizontally at high level and above south-west facing windows on four levels. The Fins are engineered to follow the angular contours of the building, providing passive shading where it is most effective.

While Fins applied in vertical stacks and above south-west facing windows are finished in a light grey powder coating, in direct reference to the aluminium coachwork used on vintage racing cars and aircraft, those fixed at high level are finished in a contrasting bright yellow powder coating.

The Levolux Solar Shading solution improves the energy efficiency of the development by preventing excessive solar heat gain in the summer, which significantly reduces the cooling load.

The overall aesthetic appeal of the scheme is also increased as the Fins effectively connect the two buildings, helping to create a more cohesive and welcoming environment for occupants and visitors alike.

To complete the solution, Levolux installed its XL Contour Screening Louvres on the fourth floor of both buildings to conceal plant and equipment from view. Formed from extruded aluminium components, the XL Screening Louvres are fixed vertically, set a pitch of 140mm.

The two louvred screens have a combined length of almost 28 metres, with a constant height of 3.7 metres. The larger ‘L’ shaped screen is fitted with a flush-mounted louvred door, enabling easy access to plant and equipment for regular maintenance.

Similar to the aluminium supports and brackets installed by Levolux elsewhere on the project, the XL Screening Louvres are finished in a durable, dark grey powder coating.

Overlooking the historic railway straight on the famous banked Brooklands racing circuit, Velocity, with its dramatic raking elevations and striking Solar Shading solution from Levolux, signals a revival in British engineering innovation.

www.levolux.com