Collaboration and repeat business with key supply chain partners has seen aluminium glazing solutions from Senior Architectural Systems specified for use on two new college contracts in the North of England.

Senior has supplied the glazing packages for both the new Lancashire Energy HQ at Blackpool & Flyde College and the Advanced Skills and Innovation Centre (ASIC) at Wakefield College in West Yorkshire, working with fabricator and installer Aire Valley Architectural Aluminium Ltd and main contractor Bardsley Construction to deliver the design vision of architects IBI Group.

Combining attractive slim sightlines and high thermal performance, the building envelope of both college buildings has benefitted from products from Senior’s extensive range of aluminium doors, windows and curtain walling systems.

Reflecting the college’s focus on training for the renewable energy sector, the new Lancashire Energy HQ at Blackpool & Flyde College boasts a sustainable design scheme which includes a living green wall and an energy-efficient glazing package.  The improved thermal performance and slim sightlines offered by Senior’s SF52 aluminium curtain walling made it the ideal choice to create the college’s attractive double-height atrium and striking faceted entrance, which also features Senior’s robust SPW500 aluminium doors. Further contributing to the building’s BREEAM rating of ‘excellent’ are Senior’s thermally-broken SPW600e aluminium windows.

Also designed by IBI Group, the new ASIC building at Wakefield College in West Yorkshire features the same specification of aluminium fenestration solutions from Senior which have once again been installed by Aire Valley Architectural Ltd for main contractor Bardsley Construction Ltd. Here, Senior’s SF52 curtain walling has been used to add further interest to the building’s attractive façade design which features a mix of masonry brickwork and coloured cladding panels.  The modern design of the new-build three storey building maximises the use of light and space, with the slim profile of Senior’s SF52 curtain walling system and SPW600e aluminium windows helping to create a welcoming and comfortable learning environment.

Commenting, Aire Valley Architectural Systems’ sales director Chris Kilvington said: “For both recent college projects, we required thermally efficient tilt/turn windows with quality hardware and accessories, a thermally broken commercial door system, and a quality curtain walling system which for the Lancashire Energy HQ at Blackpool & Flyde College scheme, needed to have the capability to facet in some areas and rake down on others.  Senior’s SPW600e windows, SPW500 doors and SF52 curtain walling provided the ideal solution.

Aire Valley Architectural Aluminium Ltd has a close relationship with Senior’s that spans over 20 years and remains very strong to this day.  Senior consistently ticks every box and has an extensive product range which they are always looking to add to. This in turn allows us to offer the best package to our clients.”

Mark Wadsworth, managing director from Senior Architectural Systems adds “We are very proud of our positive working relationship with Aire Valley Architectural Aluminium Ltd, Bardsley Construction and IBI Group and to have helped successfully deliver a strong portfolio of contracts across the North of England.  Developing and maintaining such strong partnerships is extremely important to us, as it is through close collaboration and early engagement with the project team that product manufacturers such as ourselves can really add value.”