From textile mill to award-winning building
(Dec. 7, 2005) In the UK, Hydro helps to transform a 19th century former textile mill into an award-winning residential building which has helped to stimulate the resurgence of the West Yorkshire town of Brighouse. One hundred homes were sold in just four hours.
 The façade of the former textile mill. |
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More than 300 of Technal’s GXi sliding patio doors were specified throughout, giving large glazed openings to make the most of the views from each apartment, all of which overlook the river or canal.
Technal is a Hydro trademark for marketing of aluminium-based building systems.
Visible grid curtain walling with 5m high spans was used for the double height penthouses, with GXi integrated into the system. The glazing systems were finished in slate grey, and were fabricated and installed by East Yorkshire Aluminium and Glass.
Designed by Cartwright Pickard Architects and developed by Binks Vertical, Mill Royd Island became one of the fastest selling developments in the UK when 100 homes were sold in just four hours. This ambitious £17m scheme involved the conversion of a seven-storey mill into 134 apartments. It is situated on Mill Royd Island – a spectacular peninsula site located between the River Calder, the Calder and Hebble Navigation Canal and a working canal basin.
“Our design for this scheme retains the character of the original mill and yet has created a stylish, modern living environment which is sympathetic to its waterside location”, said Peter Cartwright, Director of Cartwright Pickard Architects.
“The glazing systems were an important architectural feature. We liked the fact that the GXi system has slim sight lines that improve the views out of buildings being adapted for residential use and have minimal visual impact externally. The sliding doors are easy for occupiers to operate as well as being contemporary in design, low maintenance and thermally efficient which helped us achieve a very good Eco Homes rating for the project. We are very pleased with the end result.”
Features of Mill Royd Island include a swimming pool and fitness suite on the ground floor, exposed natural stonework, and dramatic floor to ceiling heights in each apartment.
The project won Transformation of the Year at the Yorkshire Residential Property Awards, the NHBC’s North of England Pride Award and has been short-listed for a number of others.
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