The India Buildings is located on Water Street in the centre of Liverpool’s financial and business district. It was designed by architects Arnold Thornely and Herbert J Rowse, following a competition to design an office block which was judged by the great Sir Giles Gilbert Scott and built between 1924 and 1932 for the Blue Funnel shipping line owned by Alfred Holt.
The building’s design is influenced by the Italian Renaissance style and it has several features of the American Beaux-Arts style, including for example the sculptures of cherubs above the windows.
Having sustained damage during World War II the building was restored to its original state after the war under the supervision of Rowse, the original architect.
In 2017, the Grade II* Listed Building was purchased by Legal & General and it was announced that HMRC would base a regional centre there. Renovation works commenced with the focus on creating modern, comfortable office space while retaining the heritage features of the building.
Clement Windows Group was selected to manufacture and install the new double glazed steel windows which match the original single glazed metal windows and improve thermal performance and energy use within the historic building. Almost 1,000 windows from the Clement MW40 range were specified, polyester powder painted in RAL 9016 (White).
Alex Harrison of architects Falconer Chester Hall said: “We had the pleasure of working with Clement on the steel window replacements of the India Building refurbishment project. Their performance in every aspect of the work was outstanding, and we wholeheartedly endorse them for any future contracts of a similar nature. One specific area where Clement excelled during the early stages, was the support we received from them during our discussions with the city planners regarding the bespoke windows. Their contribution proved very useful in moving matters forward and the end result is exceptional.“
Details
Site: India Buildings, 31 Water Street, Liverpool, L2 0RD
Architect: Falconer Chester Hall, 5th Floor, Caroline House, 55-57 High Holborn, London, WC1V 6DX
Contrator: Overbury plc, 77 Newman Street, London, W1T 3EW
Specification: Clement MW40 range of steel windows
Colour: RAL 9016 (White) Semi Gloss
Clement MW40 bespoke steel windows are manufactured from hot rolled steel window and door profiles generally in compliance with BS 6510 Revision 10 Nov 2020 which are produced from 98% recycled steel source material. Hot dip zinc galvanised to EN ISO BS:1461 and with a polyester powder coat paint finish to BS:6497 2005 EN 13438 2018.
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