NEWS
August 1st, 2024
This article was originally published in Conservation Heritage Journal. You can download the original article or view Clement Windows’ profile on the Conservation Heritage Journal website.
One of the many benefits of steel as a window framing material is its sheer versatility.
Steel is very malleable which means it can be configured into a huge variety of shapes. Steel is also stronger than any other framing material and therefore it is able to support a vast array of different structures. It is these two factors combined that enable the elegant fenestration we see today. As a result, steel windows offer large areas of glazing not possible with other materials, allowing natural light to flow into a space. Steel window sections can also be manufactured as door sets and interior screens and are suitable for new build and traditional projects alike.
For heritage projects this versatility is appreciated by Conservation Officers, architects and designers, because using steel often means buildings can be brought up-to-date while simultaneously staying true to the original character of the development.
Below are some examples of projects Clement Windows has been involved with in recent years. These include a vineyard, a film studio, an unusual family home and a residential block among them, demonstrating that the possibilities are truly endless when it comes to new steel windows.
Clement EB24 windows and doors at Sedlescombe Vineyard, East Sussex.
Sedlescombe is England’s oldest organic wine estate comprising of 22 acres of organically certified vineyards. It is one of the main tourist attractions in the ‘1066 Country’ region in and around Hastings, attracting approximately 5,000 visitors per year to its Vineyard & Woodland Nature Trail.
The Vineyard’s shop and tasting room have been transformed with a stunning combination of steel and glass. The enormous pair of radius head door screens provide a magnificent feature both internally and externally. They are in keeping with the natural surroundings and a fabulous backdrop to the shop. Inside there are further Clement EB24 door screens and doors which are used to beautifully partition rooms and allow light to flow throughout the building.
The shop at Sedlescombe Vineyard.
Twickenham Studios was established in 1913 and is one of the UK’s oldest and most celebrated film and TV studios. Many classic films have been shot at the studios such as The Italian Job, A Fish Called Wanda, An American Werewolf in London, Ghandi and Zulu along with most of the Beatles movies.
The Lounge is Twickenham Studio’s rooftop bar. Located at the top of the main building, it offers beautiful panoramic views over Richmond Park. This fabulous facility includes a roof terrace which you access through brand new Clement steel screens. Made from strong EB24 steel sections, they are robust, but also incredibly slim and elegant. These bespoke doors have genuine T bars and a high glass specification, including Guardian Sun Guard, offering solar protection, and an argon gas filled cavity which improves thermal efficiency.
Rooftop bar at Twickenham Studios with Clement EB24 slim steel framed doors.
The Cooperage is located on a former industrial site in Central London and is believed to have been built in the early 1900s. Following an unsympathetic earlier restoration in the 1990s, Chris Dyson Architects were invited to prepare a scheme for the extension and complete renovation of the property, turning it into a spectacular five bedroom family house. Although the building is not
listed, it was a high priority for Chris Dyson, their client and the Conservation Officer to preserve and celebrate the remaining original elements.
Clement EB24 steel windows with genuine T bars were selected to replace the original fenestration because they offer a similar appearance but greater thermal and acoustic performance to the originals. A series of both internal and external bespoke door screens were also manufactured for the project in Clement W20 sections.
Clement EB24 steel windows at The Cooperage, photography by Peter Landers.
Clement Windows provide the industrial look at The Cooperage in London, photography by Peter Landers.
Harleyford Court is a residential building which sits within the London Borough of Lambeth’s Vauxhall Conservation Area.
Clement worked closely with Lambeth Planning Authority to agree precise details on the replica replacement steel windows for this red brick building. Clement’s bespoke EB16 steel window range was chosen to replace the existing single glazed fenestration.
The project was a great success. Doug Black from the London Borough of Lambeth’s Conservation and Urban Design department said: “It was essential that the building which is in a Conservation Area, retained its original 1930s character after the refurbishment. We were very impressed with the close match Clement were able to provide to the historic steel windows and with their ability
to provide modern thermal performance.”
Clement EB16 steel windows at Harleyford Court in London.
For more information, contact us, we’d love to hear from you.