Acorn Aluminium has been appointed to deliver the curtain walling and window and door elements of a high-profile project in the centre of Leicester.
The former International Hotel on Rutland Street has stood empty since 2009. Acquired by luxury student accommodation provider True Student, the building is undergoing a multi-million-pound transformation.
Main contractor, Torsion Group is leading the conversion of the derelict building into a new 470-bedroom student scheme, including communal, study and recreational spaces.
Acorn Aluminium has been awarded the £2.6m window, curtain walling, spandrel and louvre elements of the scheme on a manufacture, supply and install basis.
Representing more than 4,400m2 in total, this includes 3,350m2 of aluminium windows, supplied in Senior Architectural Systems SPW600E energy efficient aluminium window system; and 1,050m2 curtain walling in the SF52 system.
“This is a big project in a high-profile city centre location, which will breathe new life into a building which has stood empty for more than a decade.
“As a conversion you’re never entirely sure what you’re going to be faced with, but through close partnership working, we have developed an effective solution for controlling costs, while adjusting for the challenges that inevitably come with working on a building constructed more than half-a-century ago.”
Paul Stevens, Managing Director, Acorn Aluminium
This has included opting to manufacture windows in a standard 3045mm wide X 1800mm high size, adding or removing a 25mm add-on as required on site.
“Manufacture of each window individually pushes up production costs. In this building there were some quite significant variations in the apertures which could have required bespoke manufacture.
“The introduction of add-ons allows us to adjust for those variations but still manufacture a standard product, controlling costs and supporting faster and more efficient delivery, so that the building is ready for the 2024 intake”
Paul Stevens, Managing Director, Acorn Aluminium
The Senior SPW600 is a highly versatile 75mm window system, while its also available in the SPW600e enhanced thermal option, which uses additional thermal inserts on top of the latest polyamide thermal breaking technologies used across the range.
The SF52 curtain walling system from Senior Architectural Systems, is defined by a consistent slim 52mm sightline. It also offers an exceptional level of flexibility and is suitable for both ground floor and high-rise applications, with full weather testing to CWCT and EN13830.
Accommodating glass units of up to 56mm, this combines to create a highly cost-effective commercial window capable of achieving a BFRC A Rating.
Paul added: “Given its city centre location, acoustics are another key element of the project and we’ll be delivering a very high performing product across the lower elevations of the building to minimise noise with a 38db acoustic rating.”
For more information, please contact:
Paul Stevens, Managing Director, Acorn Aluminium
t. 0115 9282166
tel:07721128254