Public buildings

Wixams Retirement Village

Large bespoke roofglazing designed and installed to expose maximum daylight and improve wellbeing

Modern retirement home with large glass windows and balconies, surrounded by greenery.

Bedford,
United Kingdom

Location

New build

Project type

Nicol Thomas Architects

Architect

Galliford Try

Further participants

2019

Project year

Spacious atrium with glass roof, multiple levels, seating areas.

Spacious atrium with glass roof, multiple levels, and seating areas.

Bright atrium with high glass ceiling and seating area.

Modern retirement home with large windows by a tranquil lake.

Delivery of modern bespoke roofglazing solutions at Wixams Retirement Village increases natural light and enhances wellbeing

VELUX Commercial designed, manufactured and installed a series of specialist roofglazing systems for Wixams Retirement Village in Bedford. Nicol Thomas Architects and Galliford Try were appointed by Extracare to deliver a modern facility for the over 55s, with healthy communal spaces that offer ample daylight and fresh air.

Various glazing solutions of different sizes, shapes and pitch were designed to achieve the building and project objectives. The two large lantern rooflights in the Winter Garden and the Village Centre are 40x5m and 45x12m in size and the entrance benefits from a self-supported trapezium style canopy.

Louvred ventilation was incorporated for smoke clearance and maximum airflow. Low ‘E’ rated glass was used in the main building, with U- and G-values to fit the specification seeking to achieve a thermally efficient solution. The internal and external paint of the frames was RAL colour matched for a visually striking finish.

Products used in project

3 × Specialist Structural Glazing

Village Centre: Bespoke thermally enhanced trapezium based ridgelight lantern – double glazed argon filled with PVB interlayer and electrical ventilation

Winter Garden: Bespoke vertical ended lantern ridgelight single glazed system with louvred ventilation

Entrance Canopy: Bespoke Self-supported trapezium based vertical ended ridgelight canopy system, single-glazed

Special glazing: Low emissivity outer glazing (low E glass) on the main lantern rooflight. Class 2 performance non-fragile glass in accordance with CWCT 66 and CWCT 67

Detailed cross section of an aluminum frame, showing structural components.

X-Span

X-Span delivers bespoke large-span rooflights and glazed structures with design freedom and integrated ventilation.

Open roof window mechanism with metal frame for ventilation and light.

X-AOV

Automatic Opening Vents combine certified smoke ventilation, daily comfort airflow and roof access in one rooflight system.

X-Span

X-Span delivers bespoke large-span rooflights and glazed structures with design freedom and integrated ventilation.

X-AOV

Automatic Opening Vents combine certified smoke ventilation, daily comfort airflow and roof access in one rooflight system.

"VELUX Commercial has a reputation in the industry for quality and reliability, this was important to us. The process was seamless and we are very pleased with the finished elements of the project."

Mark Jarman, Senior Project ManagerGalliford Try

"The rooflight creation at Wixams Retirement Village has elevated the living environment and happiness quotient of residents via shrewd design and craftsmanship implementation."

John Petrie-Smythe, Chair of the UK Over 50sHousing Awards Secretariat

VELUX Commercial bespoke glazing systems offer fast and seamless installation

Our bespoke glazing systems are designed and manufactured with precision to ensure efficient and speedy on-site assembly and installation. Any mechanical and electrical components are incorporated into the initial design to help streamline the on-site phase.

The fragility is impact tested with accordance to CWCT 66/67 to warrant safe installation as well as future maintenance and cleaning of the roofglazing systems.