SENIOR HELPS BUILD THE NEST

Various aluminium fenestration solutions from Senior Architectural Systems have flocked together to create The Nest, a new community sports facility in Norwich.

Designed by architects Chaplin Farrant and built by Cocksedge Building Contractors for Norwich City FC’s Community Sports Foundation, the new state-of-the art sports centre features Senior’s slimline SF52 aluminium curtain wall system alongside SPW600 aluminium windows and both SPW501 and SD automatic sliding commercial doors. The fenestration package has been fabricated and installed by Senior’s supply chain partner The Page Group.

A key part of the building’s overall design is the strategic use of daylighting and the seamless connection between the different areas which include football pitches, a gym, conferencing and event spaces, and a cafe. This has been achieved through the use of Senior’s SF52 aluminium curtain wall to both main elevations, with the slim sightlines offered by the system helping to create an open and inviting entrance and providing wide-reaching views of the new floodlit 3G football pitch at the rear. The flow of natural light and open-plan layout has been further enhanced with the use of Senior’s thermally-broken SPW600 aluminium windows and commercial door systems throughout.

The single-storey building has been designed to be sympathetic to the surrounding landscape and importantly, not interfere with the flight path of the nearby Norwich International Airport. Externally, the building’s dark undulating roof and attractive wood cladding are complemented by the slim frames of the fenestration systems, which have been powder-coated and further accentuated by the use of ‘canary’ yellow detailing around the openings. These pops of colour, which are also used in the signage, pay homage to the team colours of Norwich City FC, with the facility itself named The Nest in honour of the club’s famous former ground.

Sustainability and life-cycle costs were also an important part of specification process, with the durability and cradle-to-cradle recyclability of Senior’s aluminium curtain wall, doors and windows making them the ideal choice. Senior also have a proven track record of delivering fenestration packages that meet the specific needs of the sports and leisure sector, having delivered the fenestration package for such high-profile projects as the LNER Community Stadium in York, home of York City Football and York City Rugby League Football Club, and the flagship David Lloyd Leisure Centre in Emmerson Green in Bristol which holds the accolade of being the company’s 100^th club to open in the UK.

For more information, visit www.seniorarchitecturalsystems.co.uk or search for Senior Architectural Systems on Twitter, LinkedIn and Facebook.