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CHAS Copyright 2003 
West Quay Shopping Centre
Forward thinking!
With the original brief calling for an energy efficient building reflecting Police Mutual Assurance Society’s forward thinking, a £3.5 million extension to their headquarters in Lichfield, Staffordshire, was designed with a striking glass façade to harmonise the working environment with the adjacent landscaped park grounds. The counteraction of solar heat gain and glare was vital to the concept so standard Levolux aerofoil fin components were used to create an effective and bold ‘bespoke’ brise-soleil system.
an integral part of the aesthetic treatment
The extension adjoins an earlier brick built building under a waveform roof and by a striking curved façade. The Levolux system is employed as an integral part of the aesthetic treatment creating a considerable feeling of depth on the south west facing elevations.
Standing 1m proud of the building’s façade are vertical steel posts which extend from the ground to the roof and between these, stacked horizontally in banks of five, are 165mm wide Levolux 9000 series aerofoil fins. Steel arms, which connect the posts with the framework of the building itself, also support walkways that provide access for window cleaning and maintenance. The brise soleil system is polyester powder coated in grey.
structural curved glass wall forms the sculptural front elevation
A structural curved glass wall forms the sculptural front elevation and the fins are faceted along it with mid supporting members used to retain the smooth look. To ensure occupants in the offices maintain a clear view out over adjacent park grounds without obstructed by the brise-soleil, the fins are positioned two metres above floor level while still offering protection from the high summer sun.
"Levolux was extremely helpful and efficient"
Vernon Hunt, senior architectural technologist, Duval Brownhill Partnership, comments: “Levolux was extremely helpful and efficient. We discussed the designs with them and they provided the technical solutions.”
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| Architect: | Duvall Brownhill Partnership |
| Products used: | Aluminium Fins |