Objective
To design, manufacture and install a Mallasol Brise Soleil fin system for one of the top co-educational schools in England on behalf of our client Tasker Catchpole. The building, a modern Centre for Performing Arts nestled within the centre of the school grounds, consisting of 200 acres filled with stunning greenery and the imposing Victorian architecture that gives Caterham School it’s regal identity. Our main task was to create a high quality, aesthetically pleasing exterior finish to the Solar Shading without compromising the tradition, history or integrity of the school grounds. Contrasting modern with traditional to create a building admired by all who visit the school, whether that be young or old.
Product
For the educational facility, 15 Mallasol Fins, halo shaped and constructed from mesh aluminium, ranging between 3 to 5 metres high by 600mm wide were carefully angled across the front of the building, following the fluid wave-like curvature of the facilities roof designed by Miller Bourne Architects. The striking building façade stands out as an eye-catching, clean and modern design with its beautiful backdrop of the picturesque Surrey hills and red bricked Caterham School memorial hall, highlighting perfectly the transition undergone from Victorian to modern day architecture and construction during this project.
Our Mallasol fins feature discreet secret fix brackets, securing the brise soleil system onto steelworks behind the soffits, creating the illusion of floating fins, that not only look amazing but shelter the largely glazed face of the building. Allowing natural light to stream into the facility both around and through the mesh fins, at the same time providing essential protection against sun glare for individuals within the building and completely eliminating the ‘greenhouse effect’ which can cause highly glazed buildings to become excessively hot during summer months. Students and Teachers alike will benefit from this sustainable and beautiful brise soleil system, that provides a bright, happy space, facilitating a positive learning environment.
Caterham School have placed multi-coloured spotlights under each of the 15 Mallasol Fins, when illuminated the Centre of Performing Arts itself becomes a piece of art, shining brightly at the heart of the prestigious school grounds. I’m sure you’ll agree the finish is breath-taking and with the ability to change the colour of the fins this solar shading system will look new each and every time you see it.
Challenges
Due to the existing architecture within the school grounds being largely of mid-to-late 19th century construction, the site definitely did not lend itself to easy access for our installation team, with tight gaps between buildings and the Centre of Performing Arts situated on a raised location with limited access. Our teams worked safely from a 24 metre high working platform on a cherry picker with a horizontal outreach of up to 15 metres to get the job done.
The Finish
We’re extremely happy with the completed project and hope that Students, Teachers and Visitors to Caterham School all get a huge amount of use and enjoyment out of the facility.
Gallery
