High-traffic aluminium door debuts in City of London

One of the first applications of the Technal brand’s new SOLEAL aluminium door system is a prestige office and apartments scheme at Clifford’s Inn in the City of London, which has been extensively refurbished.

The SOLEAL door has been developed to deliver outstanding thermal efficiency, stringent levels of security, and a range of specification options for high-traffic projects such as offices, apartment buildings, hospitals, shopping and sports centres, and schools.

Fabricated and installed by Everglade Windows, the SOLEAL doors at 138 Fetter Lane in City of London met a range of requirements:

• A single thermally broken pivot door provides access to the new lobby for the 30,000 square-foot Grade A offices. These silver anodized doors have a concealed overhead closer for a discrete and stylish appearance; an anti-finger trap bulb stile safety feature; full height tubular stainless steel handles, and flush dead bolts at the head and cill for enhanced security. The door also has an electric strike to allow fob pass access.
• A single thermally broken pivot door to the same specification was used for the entrance to the offices from the east courtyard. This system is inserted into Technal’s GEODE-MX SG structural glazing, which was used to extend the offices southwards.
• The apartments are accessed to the side of the building frontage on to Fetter Lane via double open-in, anti-finger trap pivot doors.
• Fire exit doors were installed on the west courtyard. These were rebated, polyester powder coated in white, use robust butt hinges, have surface-mounted closers at the door head, and a push paddle handle.

Technal is one of Sapa’s aluminium building systems brands.

Versatile and robust
Delivered by architects The Manser Practice in conjunction with concept architects, David Walker Architects, for developers CLS Holdings, the £9 million refurbishment of 138 Fetter Lane included the upgrading of the existing building frontage with Technal-brand curtain walling and Portland stone cladding. Windows for the offices were replaced with Technal’s side hung casements, and GEODE-MX SG structural glazing was used for two office extensions overlooking a secluded, landscaped courtyard.

“The replacement door systems for this project had to be sufficiently versatile and robust to address the needs of two distinct building users: staff and visitors to the high-specification offices, and occupiers of the apartments,” says Jonathan Manser, managing director of The Manser Practice.

“We also needed systems that would complement the existing building fabric to create a contemporary and high quality aesthetic for each elevation, and to use materials that would help reinstate the character of the original 1930s building.”