New Zealand Commercial Design Trends Series NZ Commercial Design Trends Vol. 33/03C | Page 38

LIGHT FANTASTIC The new ACG Gymnasium offers plenty of natural light – the various window and door solutions were supplied by Tasman Aluminium, a Fairview manufacturer In a state-of-the art gymnasium that optimises natural light and uninterrupted views over adjacent playing fields, the window and door solutions naturally play a big part. Tasman Aluminium, one of Fairview’s 50-plus countrywide specialised manufacturers, drew on Fairview’s versatile window systems to meet the design needs of architects Babbage Consultants on the new school gymnasium for ACG Tauranga. The ACG Gymnasium has a contemporary, fresh design. Decorated concrete and a glazed curtain wall create an impressive entrance into the main foyer, where the windows form an open atrium. From the stairs, visitors can view the school and the grounds from every angle. The frame of the atrium windows extends over three levels, says Phil Coughlan, Tasman Aluminium managing director. “The Fairview 150mm curtain wall suite was used here as it provides the structural strength required for the large spans of glass. And similarly, Fairview’s 150mm front glaze suite was used in stairwells right around the entire building.” Classrooms and function rooms are accessed off the atrium and all feature the Fairview 100mm front glaze suite with split mullions. This allowed for windows up to 30m long to be fabricated in separate modules and then joined on site, giving the look of a continuous frame. The windows are the full height of the internal walls and slant outwards at the top, giving a grandstand view of the playing fields. “The Fairview 100mm front glaze, 150mm front glaze and Fairview 150mm curtain wall suites were all specified for their design, detail and ease search | save | share at of installation,” says Coughlan. “Together, these products offer a contemporary look and the square aluminium frame creates a solid feel – complement- ing the classrooms’ plywood walls and ceilings.” In the gymnasium itself, the upper windows tucked up near the ceiling operate on sensors, or at the touch of a button, using electric linear motors. The automated operation allows excellent, adjust- able ventilation when the gymnasium is at capacity. The building is double-glazed, with grey tinted glass used to reduce glare and achieve the required thermal rating. In addition, all the glass is toughened for safety. Tasman Aluminium worked closely with Babbage from the design and planning stages, and with the Hawkins Construction team in the manufacturing and installation of the windows and doors. “Fairview’s commercial joinery solutions are designed to be customised, which enabled us to find the best solutions for ACG Tauranga,” says Coughlan. “The windows and doors tied together the entire design and achieved the modern, clean- lined look Babbage Consultants wanted.” For further details, contact Tasman Aluminium, 98 Whakakake St, Tauriko, Tauranga, freephone: 0800 20 10 20. Email: info@tasmanaluminium. co.nz, website: tasmanaluminium.co.nz Contact Fairview Windows & Doors, phone: [phone]. Email: [email protected], or head online: www.fairviewwindows.co.nz see more online: search 49515 or fairview at Trendsideas.com