20
Feb
2023
Architecture
We are very excited that one of the projects we worked on with Wellington Glazing designed by Surman Weston Architects will feature on tonights episode of Channel 4’s Grand Designs House of the Year program.
The project is nowadays known as Surbiton Springs but was known by another name when we worked on it. The project features slim steel thermally broken glazing with fixed and opening elements including 2 sets of French doors on one facade.
Fingers crossed it makes the shortlist, but even if it does not, we are immensely proud to have worked on it.
Working with dMFK, Venturi UK proposed a minimal glazing solution in Secco OS2 powder coated steel. With operable windows at 2800mm in height, the system offers unequalled elegance with industry leading weather performance. Set within the Highgate Conservation Area, the brief was to design a contemporary structure with a eye to the Arts & Craft vernacular. The glazing offers the client clean minimal lines and unobstructed views over Highgate Golf Club to the rear.
When Alex Michaelis of Michaelis Boyd Architects asked us to take a look at his house in Cornwall, because the doors were sticking and needed replacing, we jumped to meet the challenge. It was very apparent that the doors needed changing but for what? Skyglaze Ltd, our partner, were able to offer a system that allowed for easy replacement of the bottom track and wheels and which would not require the doors to be lifted out at any time. Should the stainless steel wheels ever become an isse in this marine high salty environment, then it will be fairly easy to replace sections of the bottom track and alleviate the issue. We don’t expect that to ever be necessary but Alex was happier knowing it was an easy remedy, should it be needed.
Alex said the guys did an “amazing job” and so now we can look forward to working a lot more with Alex and the practice (we hope).
We were contacted by Architects Hutchinson & Partners Ltd back in July 2020 wanting help on a refurbishment project to Victoria House in central London.
They required help to specify a Bronze door with fixed panels to an internal space in this Grade II Listed office building. The Secco EBE system in Architectural Bronze was recommended and was quoted and eventually manufactured and supplied by an approved manufacturer Wellington Glazing.
The door features invisible hinges and a bespoke architectural bronze clad handle and auto closers. Although this is an internal doors the EBE system can take triple glazing and is suitable for external use also.
The client contacted us about this project having been let down by another supplier. We were able to put them in touch with one of our most experienced UK fabricators who had enough profiles in stock to meet the very short timeline.
The project consisted of Doors and windows using the Secco Sistemi OS2 65 profile in painted steel. The architect was Fineline Architects
We will be exhibiting again this year at Architect @ Work with our Steel and Bronze window products from Secco Sistemi.
New this year is the OS2 BV system.
We were approached by Square Feet Architects in September 2017 to assist with the glazing to a high end private residential property in Hampstead. The client’s brief was for the architect to build their contemporary dream home. With this in mind Square Feet Architects researched the market thoroughly, before selecting the Secco Sistemi range of products.
The meeting that followed established the need for a high performing system with slim sight lines in an architectural bronze finish and with 25mm wide plant on dividers. As a consequence the Secco OS2 65 system was selected. The clients preference for door height tilt and turn windows eliminated the need for lock box profiles to be applied, thus maintaining a slim aesthetic throughout the property. In addition Secco’s market leading thermal break technology enabled the 2.7m tall windows shown on the architects concept drawings to be realised. The collaborative effort between Square Feet Architects, Venturi UK, the Secco approved fabricator (Jfan) and the main contractor M H Costa has delivered exactly what the client demanded.
Photography by Paul Smoothy – Architectural Photographer
When Architects Urbane Design were designing a new extension for a client in a West London house and needed a slim steel system, they only had one system in mind. Secco’s OS2 slim thermally broken steel system allows a modern performance with a heritage look and feel and now it can be supplied in either double or triple glazing, it also meets the most stringent building standards.
This project was supplied in double glazing with a special paint finish. Working hand in hand with the building Contractor, AEP, our fabricator Arch Glazing supplied a large screen over 6m wide and over 2.5m in height which included Double outward opening doors and 2 small windows for ventilation.
The minimal sightline of a Secco OS2 bifold door is the slimmest sightline of any framed bifold door available. Only 62mm where 2 doors meet and equal across all doors. These doors are available in all 4 materials and up to 2.9m high.
This Art Deco house had its original single glazed steel windows before the client decided to add a rear extension and upgrade the house.
Our partner Skyglaze chose to offer the Secco OS2 65 thermally broken system in Painted galvanised steel throughout the house as part of its modernisation whilst keeping its existing character and Art Deco style.
The most challenging part was the new curved glazing on the corners which were quite large and so difficult to install.
The result is an exceptional modernisation that looks just like it did before but with a much better thermal performance.
We will be present with both Secco Sistemi and Uniform at the architectural trade show Architect@work on 30th and 31st January at the Old Truman Brewery in Shoreditch.
We will feature at the show new products from both Secco Sistemi and Uniform.
From Secco, a new non thermally broken internal use version of the award winning OS2 windows and door system.
From Uniform our latest design in ultra slim composite windows. An opening window with a sightline of just 38mm!
We are pleased to announce our latest product range of truly Bespoke Hardware.
Many projects require products that are not available and so need something truly bespoke.
Our range of Italian designed and manufactured handles and hardware can be produced to your own specific design requirements.
The two key techniques used in the production of these products include casting and the CNC machining of brass. To the surface of the brass a wide range of finishes can then be applied including standard burnishing, chrome plating, natural timber, leather, tiger eye (rare stone), Stingray tail etc etc. Hardware can even receive your monogram or logo.
Designed and manufactured for us by an Italian company that commenced production in Northern Italy in 1720, we can offer:
Door handles, Window handles, Pull handles, Drawer pulls, Doorstops, Door knobs, Lift and Slide handles, Hooks, Letter plates, Hinge sets, and almost anything to match the design you require.
Contact us to arrange a visit to discuss your requirements
Uniform oak windows and doors were supplied in the recently completed project by Muma Architects. Uniform was chosen due to the ability to offer Oak as an internal finish and also some unusual shaped windows, as seen above.
The project which was secured in October 2015 is part of the much larger North West Cambridge development.
Uniform S.p.a have launched the slimmest composite window on the market with a sight line for an opening or fixed vent at just 38mm.
This is almost 20mm slimmer than the market leader and will be available for specification in Q4 2018 with the first windows on site in early 2019.
Not only is the slim but with the patented hinge design it can support extremely heavy glass, usually needed for acoustic performance.
Windows can also be fixed together using the innovative flitch plate system to guarantee alignment on site.
Secco have once again shown why they are the market leader with another wonderful Archidays event in Venice during the Biennale 2018.
A select group of UK based architects were invited to join other architects from all over the world for an exclusive event and a chance to visit the world famous Venice Biennale.
Starting with a tour of the factory and a presentation of all things Secco this was followed by A private visit to the Vatican Pavilion on San Giorgio island including a talk by the curators was followed by a lavish meal with operatic entertainment.
The next day after a full day visiting the Biennale it was a boat trip on an old wooden boat out to Torcello and a private visit and talk in the famous Torcello cathedral.
Uniform Architectural have added a new solution to their ever growing number of bespoke architectural solutions, an integrated glass, or metal, balustrade.
This factory fitted solution fixes neatly behind the front aluminium clad on the Uni_One inward opening composite system.
It’s fully certified for barrier loading and removes the need for a second fix or the problem of where to fasten the balustrade to after the windows are fitted.
This private residential project was designed by Chris Dyson Architects using Bronze EBE Doors from Secco Sistemi.
Attention to detail was key in providing the best finish for this very discerning client. The architects chose the EBE85 triple glazed door system for maximum thermal efficiency and concealed hinges for an exceptional finish. The doors were manufactured in the UK by Wellington Glazing who is one of Secco’s approved UK fabricators.
Brimelow McSweeney Architects were appointed to design the refurbishment of this store at 11-12 Floral Street which is at the heart of London’s Covent Garden. Floral Street has a significant concentration of high end retail outlets and so Brimelow McSweeney selected the architectural bronze EBE profile from Secco Sistemi. With it’s luxury aesthetics the choice of architectural bronze ensured that the store not only met the areas already high standards but exceeded them.
Mowat & Company architects were commissioned to design the new flagship store for Berry Bros. & Rudd in Pall Mall. As London’s longest established wine merchant and with their new store literally around the corner from their historic home, it was important for the materials and finishes to communicate the quality that is synonymous with the Berry Bros.& Rudd brand.
As a consequence, Mowat & Company decided to use the Secco OS2 system, in architectural bronze, as a key feature within the store. The slim sight lines and excellent thermal performance, made the Secco OS2 system the perfect choice for the three double door sets, to the chilled fine wine cabinet, at the rear of the store. The use of the OS2 system with thermally efficient plant on glazing bars and matching architectural bronze lock boxes and lever handles adds to experience already enjoyed by Berry Bros. & Rudd customers.
Alex Mowat says “In designing the new store we looked to ways in which products and materials could be both modern and match the tradition of high quality and excellent service of the client’s brand. We selected Secco for quality and Venturi for their service. A great combination! “
A project we supplied back in early 2016 has won a coveted RIBA Regional Award for London.
The project Designed by Allies & Morrison used our Krone Oak/Aluminium Composite windows and doors in a new T Shaped extension to the existing school.
Supplied back in late 2015 the Mayfair Hotel in Stratton St Mayfair, London features the Secco OS2 slim steel system.
The architects, Ettwein Bridges needed a slim heritage steel product but thermally broken to meet modern building requirements. Most of the glazing is fairly straight forward but one screen in particular created a bit of a challenge.
The curved screen had to be ‘flipped round’ due to it being an internally glazed system to allow for glazing and deglazing in case of damage in the future. Although uncommon this can be done with careful design and manufacture to ensure the water tightness is kept.
The system was finished in a special bronze effect polyester powder coat paint to fit in with the local architecture.
