Quality engineered products for a new engineering department at Imperial College

In 2016 Imperial College London acquired the neighbouring disused Royal Mail Post Sorting Office from the Science Museum, sitting on the corner of Exhibition Road and Imperial College Road.

Planning was submitted to change this Edwardian Baroque style sorting office into the new ‘Dyson School of Design Engineering’, made possible by a £12million donation from the James Dyson Foundation.

Architects Pascall+Watson were employed to devise a sensitive yet practical design for the change of use of this four storey building; including minimising energy consumption and wastage in line with the College’s environmental plan.

Due to the planning restrictions on the new Dyson Building, the numerous beautiful original single glazed windows of all shapes and sizes had to be retained. Therefore, Pascall+Watson specified secondary glazing to improve their thermal performance.

Discreet configurations were designed to treat over 180 windows across the building. Over seven different types were installed to match the varying styles; large sweeping curved headed casements, tall traditional box sash windows, along with a tricky installation of high-level stairwell port hole windows at the top of the building. To increase energy performance further, the units were glazed with 6.8 low-E laminate glass.

On the façade overlooking the service area of the Science Museum, obscurity glass was specified, to prevent distractions for the researchers and staff. The windows overlooking the busy thoroughfares of Exhibition Road and Imperial College Road were fitted with a cavity to provide added noise insulation. In the new labs, with costly equipment, secured by Design units were installed, with secure locking systems and lockable handles.

Founded in 1966 and granted a Royal Warrant in 2004, Selectaglaze secondary glazing arrives full fabricated to site enabling a rapid and clean installation. The units can be fitted out of hours or programmed to coincide with the holiday periods to minimise disruption.

Contact Selectaglaze on 01727 837271/e mail: enquiries@selectaglaze.co.uk or visit: www.selectaglaze.co.uk