A new 3-storey open-plan building at the National College, Nottingham has a central atrium with large windows on four sides just below the ceiling. Sunlight was flooding in over the central office area and on to the first and second floors. As the sun tracked round the building, solar glare and heat build up became a real problem. The architect did not want to use automated blinds at the windows; they would have been effective, but not very stylish. A different approach to complement the building’s own style was required.
A site visit was organised and a meeting with the architects arranged. “Once we had presented our credentials to the satisfaction of the facilities management company and the architects, we were able to view the site and make suggestions on the type of structure and the qualities of the fabric to be used.” Matthew Garnett, Director of Business Development states. “We are increasingly working more closely with architects, specifiers and facilities managers to utilise our skills in bespoke products and installations. Steadily building an excellent reputation within the contract sector, James Robertshaw is seen as a company that architects turn to when delivering solutions to problems.”
A space of 18,000mm x 12,000mm needed to be protected from the heat and glare of the sun and a number of suggestions were produced for consideration. The final solution was designed on a CAD system and a scale model of the space with shade sails in position was produced. Once the design was approved, a health and safety assessment was created, specifying how the shading sails would be positioned, what means would be used to hold them in place and what devices would be used to position the sails. Scissor lifts were the preferred choice with additional support towers. James Robertshaw diligently put its installation teams through scissor lift training using the International Powered Access Federation (IPAF) operator training course and the Prefabricated Access Suppliers and Manufacturers Association (PASMA) training based round the ‘Working at Height’ regulations 2005.
High-grade stainless steel deck fittings with a high breaking load were tested by structural engineers and certified for use to hold the fabric in place. Ferrari Soltis 86 shade material was selected as it offered the best solar protection – up to 97%. It also resists tearing without extra reinforcement, will not sag, is long lasting, dirt resistant and can be 100% recycled at the end of its lifespan. Manufacturing the sails took 3 days to cut the cloth, weld the seams and assemble. Five shade sails were manufactured and delivered to the National College for installation.
On installation day, the facilities management team held an on-site briefing session where the risk assessment was accepted and the job started. The building was cleared and the first Internal Shade Sail carefully positioned in the centre of the space and tensioned. This crucially established the symmetry for the additional four Sails to be positioned accurately. The adjacent Internal Shade Sails followed and were installed smoothly. A final clear-up and the building with its new Internal Shade Sails were released back to the buildings facilitators and its users. From the initial enquiry to final installation, the project took just nine months to complete.
Mathew Garnett adds “We relish the challenge of unusual solar shading projects and gain great satisfaction from resolving these issues. We work closly and in partnership with our clients and complete the projects on budget and on time.”
