Discussions about the construction of Tamworth Assembly Rooms began in 1887 to mark the Golden Jubilee of Queen Victoria and it was subsequently opened in 1889. After a long service the 130-year-old venue had fallen into a state of disrepair and finally closed its doors to the public in 2016.
It was clear that a substantial refurbishment was needed, and this came in the form of a multi-million-pound scheme to create a new Enterprise Quarter in the heart of Tamworth.
Main contractor, Glasgow-based Novus Property Solutions was tasked with the extensive rebuilding of the Grade II Listed Victorian venue’s internal layout. The theatre was substantially refurbished and updated with its ornate historic features conserved.
Much work was required to rejuvenate the large curved casement windows in the main theatre area which had been boarded up since the early 1970s to not only create black-out for theatre productions but also to provide some form of acoustic control.
Novus made contact with Selectaglaze to discuss the most sympathetic but practical secondary glazing options, ensuring function and aesthetic stipulations were met, along with the required levels of acoustic insulation.
The Series 41 side hung casement was specified to 17 of the clerestory windows in the main theatre. With the openings measuring around 2.5m h x 1m w a robust solution was needed. Glazed with 6.4mm laminate glass, the units weighed 93kg each and with the clerestory windows sitting 4m from the ground, scaffolding was erected to facilitate the safe and secure installation.
Once all the windows were repaired and ready to house the secondary glazing, the timber sub frames were fixed back to the brick masonry. These were specially designed with a 300mm wide flat surface at the centre of the soffit to allow for the positioning of motorised blinds which were to be used to black-out the theatre during performances.
The much-loved theatre can now embark on a new chapter in its history having sympathetically enhanced and restored the historic features which make it such a special building.
To book an online RIBA approved CPD seminar or if you are seeking technical advice, contact Selectaglaze on 01727 837271 E-mail: enquiries(Replace this parenthesis with the @ sign)selectaglaze.co.uk or visit: www.selectaglaze.co.uk