A new building in the grounds of historic Trinity College, Oxford, illustrates how 21st Century environmental performance can be married seamlessly with traditional aesthetic requirements.
Crittall’ s T60 thermally broken steel windows make a major contribution to the Levine Building’s sustainability credentials.
The new buildings have been designed by ADAM Architecture in what is described as a restrained classical manner to augment the distinctive character of the surrounding conservation area that includes listed structures. It is the first major building project to have taken place at Trinity College for more than 50 years.
A theatre seating 200 people, study bedrooms for students, teaching rooms, kitchens and ancillary space have been created in the new three-storey building whose stone-faced elevations have been finished in honey coloured ashlar limestone to complement its heritage setting. The building also features a pitched, slate covered roof.
Niall Kelor, of main contractors Gilbert-Ash, said it was the first time he had worked with Crittall, and he was very pleased with both the experience and the result.
“It all worked very well. The installation team of just two guys were great,” he said. As to the end result, that was aesthetically very pleasing. “There is a good colour contrast between the windows and the ashlar. The client is very happy.”
The T60 windows are set within stone surrounds and finished in an attractive bronze coloured Duralife polyester powder coating. Many are fitted with trickle ventilation. Triple glass is installed in the windows of the theatre auditorium for improved sound attenuation. T60 features an advanced high-density polyurethane isolator as a thermal barrier that together with double or triple glazing surpasses the requirements of current regulations.
The cold formed steel profiles nevertheless retain Crittall’s hallmark slender sightlines that ensure maximum light ingress. The Levine Building project also features cold form doors and internal fire screens on ground and first floors.
Architect: ADAM Architecture
West Wing
Somerset House
London WC2R 1LA
Main Contractor: Gilbert-Ash
9 Empire Square E
London SE1 4NA