The Steel Window Association showcases entries for the second annual SWA Awards, due to be announced in June.

Alisa Road, Twickenham by Govette Windows for ‘Domestic project of the year’

Due to be announced at the AGM on 6th June, The Steel Window Association’s second annual awards have drawn entries from its membership under the Commercial, Residential and Refurbishment categories, while the Product Supplier of the Year will also be recognised. The buildings, to be judged by Architecture Today’s Technical Editor, John Ramshaw, range from listed landmarks to a 1940s-semi ‘reimagined’ as an Ibizan beach house. But the shared DNA of their different fenestration solutions showcase steel windows’ attributes such as elegance, good light transmission and security.

Len House entered by West Leigh for ‘Commercial project of the year’

Commercial
As with many commercial redevelopments, the Grade II listed former Rootes Building not only has a strong history – in the motor industry and wartime aircraft engine production – but also architectural pedigree with the pattern of the steel windows distinguishing its Art Deco styling. Renamed Len House after Maidstone’s nearby river, long time SWA member West Leigh was tasked with the like-for-like replacement of the 130 steel-framed windows and doors, as well as replicating the existing box mullion wind posts across the rear elevation.  The company’s skilled operatives were also involved in refurbishing the wind posts which help strengthen the River Len elevation.

Whiteleys entered by ASWS for ‘Commercial project of the year’

As with many contracts carried out by London based ASWS, its involvement with The Whiteleys Building in West London began with the repair specialist enabling façade retention works and then carrying out a full condition survey. With 16 window types across 147 openings, featuring almost 2,000 copper lights, this investigation took six months. Then awarded the contract to dismantle, catalogue, provide secure storage – including 7,852 pieces of beading – ASWS spent a further 18 months on this acclaimed restoration.

Dover Street entered by ASWS for ‘Refurbishment project of the year’

Refurbishment
ASWS also undertook the light-touch refurbishment of the original steel windows at the old Empress Club in London’s Dover Street, where half the frames were faceted and all 36 required insitu removal of toxic lead paint.  As well as full redecoration, ASWS replaced corroded steel sections and restored all of the ironmongery.

Cambridge House entered by Steel Window Services for ‘Refurbishment project of the year’

At 94 Piccadilly, the Grade I Cambridge House is to become a 102-bedroom hotel.  Aside from the heritage restrictions, 250-plus years of weather exposure and the fact that the unusually small section steel frames are no longer available, required Steel Window Services’ craftsmen to deconstruct and meticulously restore the 130 windows using handmade components. The specialist also refurbished all the brass fittings, with new spring catches coming from Steel Window Fittings.

Northcliffe House entered by ASWS for ‘Refurbishment project of the year’

The membership’s capacity for providing sustainable window care was on show again at the former Daily Mail HQ, Northcliffe House in Whitefriars’ Conservation Area, where ASWS again undertook a full condition survey. This time, 2001 alterations to the 1920s property meant there was curtain walling as well as steel, aluminium and timber windows to address. Awarded the subsequent renovation contract, ASWS took on everything from servicing and repairs of the steel windows as well as replacing sash weights, decoration and silicone pointing.

Tufnell Park Project entered by Fabco for ‘Domestic project of the year’

Residential
SWA member, Fabco has been involved in multiple renovation and extension projects, making use of steel windows’ inherent benefits like slim sightlines to maximise daylight, adding timeless elegance to a grand Victorian terraced house in Tufnell Park, London. This comprised insular rooms where the young family wished to create a large open-plan living, kitchen, dining and entertainment space. At the rear, the floors were lowered by two metres to match the garden level, while the side return infill features a London stock brick façade and glazed roof. Fabco added the black metal pavilion glazed on three sides, a key design feature intended to create a garden room that merges with the interior and floods the spaces with light.

Winchmore Hill Project entered by Fabco for ‘Domestic project of the year’

At Winchmore Hill, meanwhile, is a 1940s semi-detached property whose refurbishment was inspired by the homeowner’s travels, aiming to create a fusion of Miami art-deco, Santa Fe adobe pueblo, and Ibizan beach house aesthetics. Fabco designed and manufactured generous doors spanning the rear of the house to enhance the views of the garden, while the incorporation of black steel joists complemented the steel windows in the living areas, framing the garden views to create an elegant, open plan environment. The recyclability of steel resonates with the use of materials like timber and clay plaster as part of the project’s sustainable ethos.

Camden Project entered by Fabco for ‘Domestic project of the year’

Fabco’s Camden project involved another Victorian house where the choice of steel windows was an intrinsic part of the design, creating a strong connection between indoors and outside. This was critical to the success of the kitchen, turning it into a bright and airy destination space.

At Alisa Road in Twickenham, Govette Windows was asked to provide a solution that would create flow through the specification of W20 steel profile internal door screens, internal fire rated doors, external door screens and W30 external windows – all complemented by Steel Window Fittings’ ironmongery.

Wiltshire House entered by The Cotswold Casement Company for ‘Domestic project of the year’

Finally, Cotswold Casements helped remodel a Grade II listed Wiltshire home. The spacious property has been enhanced by the addition of steel doors and screens to harmonise with the original steel fenestration. New internal fire doors and a sliding patio door – suspended from concealed tracks – match the external frames.

Contact Details
For further information on the Steel Window Association or if you’re interested in becoming a member, please visit www.steel-window-association.co.uk