sedak supplies „Window to the World“ for University of Oxford/Waagner-Biro/Herzog & de Meuron
To encourage interaction and collaboration among students was the goal when the Blavatnik School of Government (University of Oxford, England) decided to make one building out of three. The architectural design by Herzog & de Meuron reflects the open communication concept. It has its architectural culmination point in the “Window to the World” – a gigantic glass pane giving a remarkable view from one of the shared areas. sedak realized the pane with dimensions of 10.7m x 3.2m. The glass manufacturer produced the double insulating glass unit with an area of 34 square meters and an overall weight of 3.5 tons. The transportation of the oversize glass pane was organized by sedak as well.
The Blavatnik School of Government is part of the University of Oxford and has been educating young people since 2012. Until 2015, the institute in the Jericho neighborhood was located across three separate sites. To encourage interaction and collaboration among the 120 students, the Swiss architecture firm Herzog & de Meuron was awarded to create a building with an open design. The result is a five-floor complex with an oversize glazing that makes it an open building cubature. The core – a glass pane in 10.7m x 3.2m – is particularly impressive.
Window to the World
For oversize glass units, a special knowhow is as indispensable as exceptional capabilities in production and logistics. The „Window to the World“, fabricated by sedak, consists one laminate made of two 10 millimeter low-iron glass panes. The glass units are laminated with a 1.52 mm thick PVB interlayer, processed into a double insulating glass and coated against glare and solar heat gains. To facilitate the installation in Oxford, a stainless steel frame provided by the client had been bonded to the insulating glass unit in sedak’s production hall.
With an area of around 34 square meters, the „Window to the World“ offers an unobstructed view from the shared area at the opposite side of Walton Street where Oxford University Press, the world’s largest university press, is located.
The Transportation: as Individual as the Product
Exceptional products demand for exceptional logistics. For a safe transportation, all glass panes fabricated by sedak are packed in special wooden crates. The 3 tons heavy „Window to the World“ was packed in a wooden crate with an inclined frame structure and then shipped overland. Thus, the height of the truck was not exceeded and the glass was not damaged on its 1,200 kilometer long way from Gersthofen to Oxford.
Special Installation Technique for Special Purpose
Since the glass pane had to be installed under a building ledge, not only the logistics but also the installation technique presented a challenge. The usage of a common crane was impossible due to the overhanging façade. A special construction was fabricated to lift the glass pane from below into the building envelope. It was connected to the frame of the “Window to the World” during the installation. „With sedak, we have an outstanding glass manufacturer. Besides the exceptional production capabilities, we appreciate the quality and the adherence to schedules as well as their support during the planning process“, says Michael Schlinz, sales representative at Waagner-Biro.
Construction Board
Owner:
University of Oxford
Location:
Blavatnik School of Government, Oxford, England
Main Contractor:
Waagner-Biro AG
Client:
W&W Glass LLC/Vidaris
Architect:
Herzog & de Meuron
Engineering:
Clad Engineering GmbH
Delivery:
June 2015
Product:
double insulating glass in 3.2m x 10.7m with a weight of 3.5 tons and a special coating against glare and solar heat gains
Photographer:
Trevor Palin/palin images
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The core of the glass façade of the Blavatnik School of Government in Oxford is the “Window to the World” fabricated by the German glass manufacturer sedak. With an area of around 34 square meters, it offers an unobstructed view from one of the shared areas at Walton Street.
Photo: Waagner-Biro
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The building of the Blavatnik School of Government was designed by the architects at Herzog & de Meuron. The complex in Jericho, Oxford stands out due to its height: With 22m it exceeds the height usually allowed around Carfax Tower by 3.8m.
Photo: Waagner-Biro
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The stainless steel frame installed at sedak’s production hall facilitated the installation of the 3.2m x 10.7m glass pane in the overhanging façade.
Photo: Waagner-Biro
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For more information please contact:
| sedak GmbH & Co. KG Tatjana Vinkovic Tel.: +49(0)821/2494-823 Fax: +49(0)821/2494-777 E-Mail: tatjana.vinkovic@sedak.com |
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sedak GmbH & Co. KG
Leading glass
sedak, the glass manufacturer in Gersthofen, Germany, was founded in 2007. With its 150 employees, the world’s leading glass fabricator produces insulating and safety glass in dimensions up to 3.2m x 16m: processed, tempered, laminated, printed, coated, and cold bent. The core capabilities are the lamination of glass, edging, and the company’s know-how of producing glass components with additional functional and decorative elements. sedak’s production has been optimized for extraordinary glass sizes; the level of automation for such glass dimensions is unique. All finishing steps are handled in-house e.g. with the new, fully automated insulating glass line. As a full supplier for large-size glass units, sedak sees itself as a partner for architects, designers, and façade constructors. Outstanding references are for example the Apple Cube and the Lincoln Center Canopies in New York, the Städel Museum in Frankfurt, and the Tottenham Court Road Station in London.
Applications
- glass façades
- glass roofs
- glass stairs
- glass balustrades
- ship building
- safety glazing
- all-glass constructions
- interior design
- custum-made glass units
