Sheffield based Panel Systems, developer QED Sustainable Urban Developments and offsite manufacturer CargoTek, have worked together to alleviate the level of homelessness in Ealing, with homes built from former shipping containers that feature facades manufactured from Aluglaze panels.
The development of 60 units, known as Meath Court, Hope Gardens, provides safe, comfortable accommodation for nearly 290 people in Ealing. The joint project between QED and the local council is the latest step to address the need for emergency housing in the capital.
The units were built offsite by CargoTek, the specialist subcontractor of shipping container buildings, to meet a strict deadline. As well as the temporary homes, Meath Court also includes a communal space, onsite management office, laundry and refuse storage. All aspects of the development were constructed in 24 weeks.
Specified by QED, Panel Systems supplied 144 Aluglaze panels with externally projecting trays. The manufacturer fabricated the panels with a high-performance insulation core to achieve a 0.35 W/m2K U Value.
The Aluglaze panels were supplied in five main colours, each of which was specified in various shades including three tones of green, blue and red and two tones of orange and yellow. Each block features one colour in the varying shades, achieving a dark to light rainbow effect.
Ross Gilbert, managing director of QED Sustainable Urban Developments said: “We originally looked at using opaque coloured glass to achieve the rainbow effect, however these would not provide the U Values required to ensure the homes were energy efficient. The extensive range of Aluglaze colours and finishes, along with Panel System’s fabricating capabilities, meant we were not only given a better choice of shades and a more premium finish, but the panels also provide better insulation and energy efficiency.”
