A team from Associated Steel Window Services (ASWS) has carried out a comprehensive and considered repair and replacement contract at County Hall, on behalf of Cast Interiors. The work was completed within a very tight timescale, and included additional works that had not originally been envisaged.
The contract builds on ASWS’ 30-year association with the former GLC headquarters on the south bank of the Thames. Sustainable Ventures specialises in sustainable refurbishments; its team aims to ensure that as much as possible of an old building is reused or repurposed, to minimise waste.
Level 5 of County Hall had been empty since 1994. Little maintenance had been carried out, and dormer window structures had been boarded up or filled with brickwork. After a detailed survey on behalf of the project consultants, Material Works Architects, ASWS was tasked with repairing and easing 134 faceted bay windows, many of which had suffered heavy corrosion.
Though generally measuring 1.2 by 2.1 metres, the three-section dormers were 2 metres square, and had been exposed to the full force of the weather. For the 11 openings that required new frames, the ASWS team drew on its experience in replica refurbishment in order to respect the Grade-II listed building.
“The original windows featured Mid-Universal suite steel frames, so for the 11 which had to be reinstated we produced close replicas, using W20 sections,” recounted Kris Bennell, director of the ASWS. “Across the job as a whole, we were asked to provide a ‘light touch’ restoration. This is very much the ethos of the client, Sustainable Ventures, which is committed to providing sustainable workspaces as well as offering help with issues such as funding and recruitment.
“Rather than gutting out the fifth floor, the old parquet floor was cleaned and preserved. Many wall areas were left bare.
“For the fenestration, new handles were fixed to the original back plates. We designed new blocks which were fitted to the heads, for the spring catches to engage with. Broken panes were replaced, and all of the hinges were reset to ensure ease of operation.”
Late on in the challenging 13-week programme, the ASWS team was also asked to redecorate all of the windows. The job was limited to spot priming areas of bare metal and applying one top coat, but involved the window specialist’s operatives putting in a lot of overtime, including weekend working.
“ASWS’s expertise and flexibility was instrumental in safeguarding the heritage windows at County Hall, said Steve Gayle, Cast Interiors’ projects director. “The company’s commitment to preserving the essence of the Grade-II-listed windows has been essential in ensuring the precious historical elements remain intact within our environment.”
Kris concluded: “This is one of the very first contracts of its type in the country where interventions have been kept to an absolute minimum, based on sustainability and environmental impact rather than cost. We have been very proud to be involved.”
The refurbishment project was successfully completed in April 2023. ASWS is a long-established member of the Steel Window Association. To read more about the business, visit the firm’s website.
