Winning the contract to supply and install giant vertical fins for a North Wales research facility was just the start.
Since last year, the Maple design team have been working closely with the project architect and contractor to finalise the brise soleil system and specialist fixings.
Now, after creating 3D renderings of the fins to help the client visualise the approach, and developing custom fixings, we’re on-site at the Advanced Manufacturing and Research Institute in Broughton.
The 9m high, anodised aluminium fins will cloak the glazed frontages and prevent glare and solar gain. The system is based on our Aurora 600AL Solo product but while the 600mm deep blades will deliver optimum performance, ensuring a secure fix to a curtain wall on such a windy site was always a big challenge.
Our design team referred to previous Maple projects, including our innovative work at Oxford Brookes University, to develop the perfect solution - specialist fixings that meet higher than normal wind-loading requirements and half-height horizontal brise soleil blades that provide cross-brace strength and rigidity.
The fixings and specially designed brackets will all be hidden in response to the architect’s requirements for a clean finish, but will still be given an anodised coating to protect them from the harsh elements.
The new institute, which is scheduled to open later in 2019, will support growth and jobs across Deeside, North Wales and the wider Northern Powerhouse. Airbus are confirmed as the primary tenant and will use the facility to develop new wing technology.