Littlewoods

Levolux hangs out with littlewoods

Levolux has yet again demonstrated the extent of its portfolio of innovative shading solutions by providing three very different products for the refurbishment of a massive Grade 2 listed aircraft hangar in Liverpool.

The hangar has been refurbished to create a new 131,800square feet headquarters for leading home shopping organisation, Littlewoods Shop Direct Group, and is now known as Skyways House. As part of the project two new additional buildings - a 77,000 square feet office and storage building, Skyways 2 and an 11,600 square feet IT data centre, Skyways 3 - have been built adjacent to the hangar.

innovative shading solutions

Working with architects CDA (Edinburgh & Manchester) and contractor Shepherd Construction North West Limited, Levolux provided a range of innovative shading solutions to meet the various requirements of the buildings. The project, with a total build cost in excess of £25 million took ten months to complete.

To control light and provide protection against glare and solar heat gain

To control light entering the new headquarters building through the two glazed rooflights to the barrel vaulted roof, and provide protection against glare and solar heat gain, CDA specified Skyvane.

Developed by Levolux, Skyvane is a fully adjustable louvre system that can be installed internally or externally. Specifically designed for installing to curved, horizontal, sloping and unusually shaped windows and glazing, it provides protection against solar heat gain and controls glare and light. Suitable for installing on new or existing buildings, it provided the ideal solution for fitting to the sloping roof glazing of the hangar.

ensuring maximum natural light enters the building

The Skyvane system was produced in aluminium, using perforated aluminium for the louvre profiles, and features light sensors developed by Levolux. Linked to a software control system, also developed by Levolux, the light sensors monitor sun height and light levels and automatically control the position of the Skyvane louvres to control light, glare and solar heat gain, whilst ensuring maximum natural light enters the building.

Externally, Levolux provided a series of 500mm aerofoil fins. Fitted in five rows, running the width of the glazed south façade, they were mounted using a steel cable system, running from the top of the glazing to the bottom, fixed to the edge of the fins. This has created a simple yet effective method of controlling light, glare and solar heat gain to the ground floor restaurant, and offices above, without the need for a large obtrusive structural supporting framework.

As the final part of the project, Levolux provided its VLS ventilation louvre system to screen the plant rooms on the hangar as well as the two new buildings.

an aesthetically pleasing method of screening plant

Produced in extruded aluminium, the system features a unique patented mullion clip assembly and stainless steel fasteners, which eliminate the possibility of bi-metallic reaction and staining. This ensures clean exterior lines at all times, providing an aesthetically pleasing method of screening plant.

Like all systems from Levolux, the Skyvane, the ventilation louvres and the aerofoil fins are backed with the company’s design, manufacture and installation package and can be produced in a variety of finishes to co-ordinate with the overall architectural design of any building.

Architect:	CDA
Products used:	Aluminium Fins
	Skyvane