In this exciting project together with the University of Leicester Glass & Stainless transformed the Business School with the use of external frameless glass balustrades, staircases and handrails for a rejuvenated look and feel.

 

The Brief:

The Business School was established in 2016, bringing together outstanding expertise in Economics and Management. Glass & Stainless worked closely with Henry Boot Construction to fit a variety of work in the new Brookfield Campus. The project was to be completed in under a year for the students to return – presenting a time challenge for this transformation. 

Glass & Stainless fitted a curved external frameless glass balustrade, a curved handrail in the lecture theatre, the main stair in the building and 1st & 2nd floor atrium glass balustrade. Each of these architectural glass features has been designed to encourage movement and connection between the carefully designed spaces. 

The external balustrade installed by Glass & Stainless against the brickwork

Our Work:

The University of Leicester were excited to open the views across the campus with a frameless glass balustrade fitted to the external space above the lecture theatre. 

Glass & Stainless installed OnLevel 6021 side fix channel which was drilled and bent to suit. Into which just under 50 panels of 21.52mm curved toughened laminated glass were installed to produce a frameless roof balustrade.

The frameless glass balustrade installed by Glass & Stainless at the University of Leicester Business School is shown along the corridor.

Glass & Stainless fitted a curved handrail around the outside of the lecture theatre. This was fitted to the stairs and the ramp to allow added accessibility to the front of the lecture theatre. The handrail was 304 grade 42.4mm curved stainless steel and fitted using wall brackets.

A handrail sits atop a frameless glass balustrade in the Business School at the University of Leicester.

The Challenges:

Creating connection between the internal learning spaces was important. Glass & Stainless fitted a frameless glass balustrade to maintain an open singular feeling to the circulation.

The internal frameless glass balustrade in the Business School at the University of Leicester

Just under 40 glass panels of 21.52mm toughened laminated glass set into OnLevel 3030 surface mounted track. To the top of the glass sits a fabricated and powder coated handrail.

The open staircase is the most used space in the building – so the key challenge for the Glass & Stainless team was that the materials needed to both withstand constant wear as well as reflect the school’s dynamic environment! 

Glass & Stainless installed OnLevel 6021 side fix track into which sits 21.52mm toughened laminated glass with drilled holes for handrail brackets. All finished with a 304 grade 42.4mm stainless steel handrail.

The University of Leicester Business School

The Final Result: 

The stainless steel and glass products selected for use at The University of Leicester fit closely with the overall aesthetic of the design. They provide a simple yet elegant finish to the building and improve the overall function of the educational spaces and complement the existing architecture.

 

The curved glass installed by Glass & Stainless at the Business School.

Despite the complex nature of certain elements within the design, Glass & Stainless completed the project within agreed timescales and the client was incredibly happy with the outcome.

The Materials Used: 

The materials predominantly used in this project were glass panels of 21.52mm toughened laminated glass, set into OnLevel 3030 surface mounted track, with a fabricated and powder-coated handrail.

We additionally used OnLevel 6021 side fix track, with a 21.52mm toughened laminated glass and 304 grade 42.4mm stainless steel handrail.

 

 

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