OPENING THE DOORS
TO A SHOPPERS’ PARADISE
GEZE UK is opening doors to more shoppers at Glasgow Fort which
has recently launched a third phase of shops and leisure facilities at
its out-of-town shopping and leisure complex.
With more than 100 outlets and parking for 2,500, Glasgow Fort is
noted for being one of the few purpose-built uncovered shopping
villages with a two-sided mall design intended to recreate a
traditional high street.
That’s why installing the right doors were crucial in the design and
specification of the new phase – not only to protect the new stores
from the elements – but to maintain the fluidity of the stainless steel
and glass aesthetic within its horseshoe layout.
The latest 175,000 sq ft extension – designed by Glasgow architects
Cooper Cromar for owner British Land - includes an 80,000 sq ft
Marks & Spencer department store housed within an iconic three-
storey stainless steel-clad pavilion.
The store entrance has four sets of automatic sliding doors, powered
by GEZE’s Slimdrive SL NT operators, to form a draught lobby
and display area. The Slimdrive SL NT blends seamlessly into the
uncluttered glazed frontage. With an operator height of just 7cm
– it is almost invisible, virtually silent in operation and can move
leaf weights of up to 125kg - ideal for buildings with high levels
of footfall and a continuous flow of people moving in various
directions.
GEZE UK worked with Gray & Dick Ltd and Greenfield Contracting to
create the entrances for M&S and seven other shops and restaurants
on the north of the site where the new development is located. They
include:
• Fat Face
• Footasylum
• JD Sports
• Mamas & Papas
• River Island
• Wagamama
• Waterstones
In total 12 GEZE products were supplied. In most cases the
Slimdrive SL NTs were used to create the entrances for the units.
Fat Face, Footasylum, Mamas & Papas, River Island, Wagamama
and Waterstones chose seamless entrances, each with a pair of
automatic sliding doors which provided flow and continuity with
their glazed façades.
For JD Sports, a much larger unit, two Slimdrive SLT telescopic
automatic sliding door operators were used to create two entrances
across the span of its frontage – each fixed to glass. Like the Slimdrive
SL NT, they operate quietly and boast an elegant drive design with
a 7cm operator height.
Said Martin Revie, general manager for GEZE UK in Scotland: “This
was a fascinating project on which to work. Glasgow Fort has become
a ‘go-to’ destination for shopping and leisure in the region as it
combines great facilities and shops, with an open, airy environment
and contemporary design.
“The third phase of the development needed to combine the
requirements of the businesses going into the new premises and
incorporate functionality, safety and security while retaining the
aesthetic values of the development as a whole.”
For more information about GEZE UK’s comprehensive range of
automatic and manual door closers call 01543 443000 or visit
www.geze.co.uk.