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Tom Reilly Building, Liverpool John Moores University

Creative use of glazing and window systems achieves an animated facade for this five-star rated research building, comprising teaching areas, offices, laboratories and a 60m indoor running track

In the upper sections of the facade, a Schuco FW60+ curtain wall system is suspended from the roof slab with solid and glazed components. The glazed section is full height between the floors, allowing natural light into the teaching areas and offices. The opening windows provide a vibrant display of colour at night, using a Vanceva interlayer within the inner pane of glass. aluminium l profile

The middle section is U-profile cast glass by Reglit, constructed as a double glazed installation. To the north, west and east facades, the cavity of the Reglit system is filled with Okalux, improving thermal performance. Varying levels of transparency and translucency animate the facade.

At low level, the louvred windows are linked to the Building Management System: NacoWeatherbeta 32 admits controlled amounts of low level cool air as part of natural ventilation strategy for double height circulation area.

Ossie Airewele project architect, Austin-Smith:Lord 

Name of project Tom Reilly Building – School of Psychology and Sport Science Start on site April 2008 Completion November 2009 Form of contract JCT Standard form of Management Contract GIA 6,400m2  Construction cost £20 million Client Liverpool John Moores University Architect Austin-Smith:Lord Structural engineer Gifford Cost consultant Turner & Townsend Landscape architect Austin-Smith:Lord Main contractor Laing O’Rourke

Curtain wall Schüco FW60+ aluminium frames, PPC to match cladding Cladding 8mm Trespa-Meteon Sikatack bonded to rails fixed to curtain wall system Glass – clear Fixed double glazed unit in curtain wall system: outer pane 6mm IPASOL 60/31annealed, 16mm argon filled cavity, inner pane 10mm clear annealed. U-value 1.1 W/m2K Glass – coloured Opening double glazed unit in curtain wall system: outer pane 6mm IPASOL 60/31 annealed, 16mm argon filled cavity, inner pane 9.5mm laminated heat strengthened, with Vanceva interlayer. U-value 1.1 W/m2K Main entrance doors Horton O-X-X-O Biparting sliding doors, PPC aluminium profile sections set behind RC wall to maximise reveal depth and minimise head gear site lines. Microwave radar activated by safety controls, six way key switch function for flexibility. Louvre window system Naco Weatherbeta 32 with integrated actuator electrically linked to BMS, PPC frames. Cast glass Reglit U-profile cast glass with eight wires constructed as double-glazed installation. Okalux installed to minimise heat loss to north, west and east facades. Restrained in aluminium frame.

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