glazing panels were assembled offsite to make the installation process faster
m2 covered by rows of connected panels to maximize daylight
Once a headquarter of London’s Rifle Corporation, this 19th century building has been transformed into a bright and open office space in the city center.
E2 Architecture + Interiors focused on the preservation of the roof’s shape and the building’s heritage. The main challenge was finding a roof system that was lightweight enough to fit with the old infrastructure of the building while implementing a modern solution full of natural light. The leaky roof of The Drill Hall had a two-tier structure of slate and glass. In 1915, zeppelin bombs destroyed the slate, however, the roof shape and infrastructure remained intact.
In agreement with the installer Roofglaze, it was decided that the building needed to be retrofit to meet architectural sustainability goals. This meant replacing the single glazing roof system previously in place. Additional solar shading was also required to reduce existing glare.
“A retrofit presented the opportunity to improve building performance and lower energy consumption as part of a rooftop refurbishment,” says Sam Cooper of E2 Architecture + Interiors.
Contemporary preservation of the roof
123 individual glazing panels were assembled offsite to make the installation process swift and efficient once on the roof. The main benefit of these panels is their slim and shallow profiles which allow for a clean and minimalist aesthetic.
Multiple rows of connected panels are now covering the 185 m2 surface to ensure the maximum level of daylight possible and less reliance on artificial light. Ventilation panels in the lower tier of the panels allow for better airflow and thermal comfort. The problem of glare was solved by adding a sun protection coating along the double glaze, which removed the need for cotton drapes previously used during the summer.
“VELUX Glazing Panels are robust rooflights. Prefabricated glazing makes it easier and safer to handle and install. What we like about Glazing Panels is that they arrive onsite fully assembled, we trust the quality, shape, size, and specification of these daylight solutions,“ says Robert Culley, the Managing Director of Roofglaze.
