Introduction
The Imperial War Museum (IWM) was founded on 5 March 1917 when the War Cabinet approved a proposal by Sir Alfred Mond MP. He requested the creation of a national war museum to record the events that were still ongoing during the Great War. The objective of the museum was to display specially curated material as a record of everyone’s experiences during WWI – civilian and military – and to commemorate the sacrifices of all sections of society.
Over 100 years later and incorporating further wars, the importance and popularity of the museum has resulted in the opening of four more branches as well as the creation of Parkside – a purpose-built office hub located in Southwark, London. Parkside has been established to provide the primary workspace for IWMs’ staff in London, acting as a central hub for over 180 of its employees from several different directorates.
It is a creative hub enabling innovative thinking and collaboration between the museums’ teams thus supporting IWM to achieve its critical mission – improving public awareness of war and conflict through its exhibitions, events and programming. The new space also supports IWM’s commitment to develop smarter working practices spanning the entire organisation.
Architecture practice, Jestico + Whiles, was assigned to interpret and develop IWM’s concept into a building of moderate scale, yet striking and adaptable. Reds10 then delivered the building using the latest off-site construction techniques, enabling the highest architectural standards and reliability to be achieved, despite the constraints of a Central London location.
Solinear was appointed to provide a roof plant room louvre system including double doors for roof level equipment.
Task
The Solinear team was excited to be chosen for this project which centred around creating a louvre system that would enclose external plant room machinery located on the roof of the three-story Parkside building. The system would be designed to hide unsightly equipment, acting as a sound buffer whilst simultaneously allowing the area to be protected but also well ventilated.
All works would have to be carried out in accordance with rapidly changing guidelines set out in 2020 during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Action
After initial discussions, ideas and designs, production began on the 45m2 of corrosion resistant mill finish extruded aluminium louvres along with the double doors. Once the system had been manufactured and passed Solinear’s rigorous quality checking, it was transported to central London and lifted on to the rooftop, ready for installation. Installation was carried out promptly and with consideration to the local community and vehicular access in difficult site conditions within Central London’s Zone 1.
Result
Solinear’s Aquarius AQ75 X-LINE external architectural louvre screening system was the perfect solution for Parkside’s rooftop plant apparatus. The blades were arranged so as to provide a sleek, continuous unbroken front face louvre appearance.
The system also incorporates robust 1600×2100 double louvre doors with heavy duty hinges, Euro profile cylinder plus lock, rose lever handle and door restrictors fitted to both leaves – designed to open just beyond 90°. The doors open and close smoothly to allow maintenance of the equipment contained within while offering security and protection.
For added shielding from debris, propylene insect mesh was affixed to the rear of the louvres as well as bespoke cill flashing, forming a continuous skirt around the plant room.
The louvre blades and louvred doors were manufactured with a polyester powder coated finish to RAL 9022 (Pearl light grey) in 30% gloss creating an overall look that is sleek, sophisticated and perfectly complements this contemporary, purpose-built creative central London hub.
The completed system nestles amongst Parkside’s solar energy panels.
Solinear is proud to have been part of this important new project for The Imperial War Museum which is a beacon of sustainability in the heart of London. Reds10 design of Parkside is sensitive to sustainability targets and is set to achieve BREEAM Rating ‘Excellent’.
It was a pleasure to work with Reds10 – Solinear has worked with them on several occasions and is very much looking forward to the next collaboration with this innovative, forward thinking company.
Useful links:
Parkside, Imperial War Museums – Projects – Jestico + Whiles
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