Case Study – Education

Project: Goldsmith's University of London
Architect: Stride Treglown
Joinery Subcontractor: SJ Eastern

Integrated doorset package for Goldsmith's University of London

In order to maintain its reputation for excellence, Goldsmiths University of London commissioned architects Stride Treglown in 2009 to design a £20m purpose-built Department of Media and Communications building. The prominent site in New Cross overlooks the College Greeen and faces the listed Richard Hoggart building, where the college originated. The new facility, which opened in August 2010, houses a 250-seat lecture theatre, 120 seat screening room, TV and photographic studios, editing suites, offices and a cafe. Fronted by a dramaic glass facade, it is clad in pixel-effect terracotta tiles.

Having pioneered the supply of integrated doorsets combining door leaf, frame, glazing and ironmongery, Laidlaw Solutions already has an extensive portfolio of education projects to its credit. For this project the company collaborated with main contractor Willmott Dixon and scheduled the supply of primed frames and doors, laminated doors and all adjoining glass screens for the four-storey building. Orbis Commercial ironmongery was factory-fitted and installation undertaken by specialist supply-and-fit joinery subcontractor SJ Eastern. The selection of lever and pull handle components, advanced door closers and supporting accessories in Satin/Polished Stainless Steel or Silk Anodised Aluminium has made the range particulary popular.

Peter Fenton of Stride Treglown commented, "Laidlaw provided us with a comprehensive service and backed it up with excellent technical assistance; essential when dealing with such large and complex buildings". The building has achieved a BREEAM "Very good" rating with features such as heating sourced from biomass boiler and four large wind towers on the roof to aid natural ventilation. The design features a concourse that expresses informal meeting rooms and incorporates a projection screen to display students work. Use of recycled material was undertaken where possible and a high proportion of materials used where themselves specified for the ability to recycle them

.Steve Crease, Operations Director of SJ Eastern Carpentry and Joinery added "The contract went very well for us from an operational point of view. The doorsets were of a particularly high standard - something that our client remarked upon. The scheduling procedure was carried out in a timely and very professional manner from start to finish. All in all it was a pleasure working with the Laidlaw team on this contract - it would be nice if all jobs went this way!!