Comar are delighted to introduce Phil Dempsey as Project Manager for the North West and Phil will be covering:
- Greater Manchester
- North Wales
- Lancashire
- Merseyside
- Cheshire
- Cumbria
- Isle of Man
Aluminium Specified For Regeneration Project
Comar Architectural Aluminium Systems, with their approved fabricator LDG (Lancashire Double Glazing) completed the installation of aluminium curtain walling, windows and commercial doors to a new waterfront £8.6million flagship office block and call centre. Part of the Mersey Waters Enterprise Zone and the 500 acre Wirral Waters regeneration scheme, and built on previously derelict land, The Tower Wharf project saw the design of the 48,000 sq ft 4 storey office building which includes a roof terrace and office accommodation for around 800 staff. This project was also the Winner of Best Commercial Building at the ‘RICS’ 2016 Awards and the building achieved the BREEAM ‘Excellent’ rating for sustainability.
To maximise natural daylight and facilitate the large glazed areas Comar 6EFT was specified as it offers architects a flexible system, providing a structurally glazed solution, with options for facets, concealed vents and an extensive range of profiles that cater for large structurally glazed panes. Comar 6EFT also offers the slimmest silicon or EPDM joints in the industry, which means the eye catching glazed area is maximised. LDG could ensure that this project could be completed within the restraints of the budget. Complying with the latest CWCT standards Comar 6EFT systems are mullion drained thermally broken structurally glazed curtain walling system with drained capping, pressure equalised and drained is in accordance with BS6262.
In a market where energy efficient designs and meeting the demands of the latest Building Regulations are paramount Comar 5P.i Auto Opening Vent, thermally efficient polyamide insulated windows were specified. These aluminium windows offer outstanding weather performance and reduce heat loss through the trademark P.i thermal break ensuring low U-values so energy bills are minimised.
Comar 7P.i Commercial Door sets were the natural choice for this high traffic head office/call centre building. Comar 7P.i CD door sets can be hung from Comar 6EFT framing and are a natural choice for any busy environment. They are available in swing, pivot, sliding, auto-sliding and sliding folding options.
Architects: Falconer Chester Hall
Fabricator: LDG (Lancashire Double Glazing)
Main Contractor: Eric Wright Construction
Project Value: £1m
Systems Used: Comar 6EFT Toggle, 5P.i 60mm Auto Opening Vents, 7P.i CD
Passivhaus Aluminium Windows – Delivering Innovation
Innovation Delivered – Comar 10 offers a new departure;
a Passivhaus Certified “B” product with U-values as low as 0.66 coupled with processes that cut manufacturing costs by up to 70%.
The Comar 10 window range includes:
Inward opening, tilt & turn and fixed lights and are internally beaded and glazed.
- U-values as low as 0.66 W/m2K
- Cut manufacturing costs by 70%
- Certified by Passivhaus Institute for cool temperature areas
- Future-proof & energy saving
- High thermal insulation with ground breaking technology
- 90mm deep outer frames
- Minimal care & maintenance
For further information about Comar Architectural Aluminium Systems, please visit www.comar-alu.co.uk call 020 8685 9685 or email projects@parksidegroup.co.uk
Comar: Designed for Performance, Backed by Delivery
New BDM for London & SE
Comar are delighted to welcome Tom Cahill as Business Development Manager for London & SE areas.
Contact Tom at: tomcahill@parksidegroup.co.uk
www.comar-alu.co.uk
BES 6001:3.1 Certification Awarded
The impact of our purchasing decisions has never been more critical. Our global economy is now bringing to bear the Butterfly effect: when a butterfly flaps it’s wings in one part of the world it can cause a hurricane in another part of the world. Construction by its nature of increasing or improving density is intensely energy demanding, the embodied energy contained in our building stock has derived from the earth’s resources, therefore, as construction professionals we should all carefully consider the ethics of our purchasing decisions. The materials used on a building draw from the Global economy, therefore a decision today could create deforestation in poorer regions of the world or create the impetus for modern slavery.
Comar Architectural Aluminium Systems, as a British privately owned organisation has always held its integrity in business as the cornerstone of its operations. As part of The Parkside Group Limited, Comar has built up excellent, long term relationships with its suppliers, ensuring they are paid on time and if issues arose building partnerships which quickly lead to their resolution.
We require as a minimum that they have an ethical business and hold ISO 14001 certification. Good supplier management coupled with ethical business practices is the basis of BRE’s BES 6001 standard for the Responsible Sourcing of Construction Products.
We are pleased to announce that we are certified through BRE’s new BES 6001:3.01 Responsible Sourcing of Construction Products, receiving a “Good” rating. This ensures that our architectural and contractor partners can rest assured, that in contracting with Comar and its Nationwide Network of Approved Subcontractors our aluminium windows, doors and curtain walling systems have been sourced responsibly with a company that holds the ethics of good supplier management at its heart. Not only does BES 6001 audit and accredit supplier management it delves deeper to ensure that all aspects of global citizenship are covered, these are held under three main headings: Organisational Management, Supply Chain Management and Environmental and Social Responsibility Management. This award is even more noteworthy when we consider that this is the new standard and Comar are the first to receive this in the aluminium sector. Click to view certification http://blog.comar-alu.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/BES-6001-3-1- Responsible-Sourcing-Certificate-2016-2019-Page-1-only.pdf
Recognising the importance of our Purchasing decisions and the impact they may have on our environment and society, we encourage our Supply Chain to implement a certified Quality, Environmental, and Health and Safety Management System. We also recognise the importance of Environmental Protection and we are committed to operating our business in compliance with all Environmental Regulations, Legislation and initiatives relating to the building industry and the wider Environment.
It is the organisation’s objective to operate with, and to maintain good relations with all regulatory bodies and places Environmental Protection at the core of its operations. The Parkside Group Limited is accredited to the Environmental Standard ISO 14001:2004 and is currently in transition to the new 2015 version.
The Parkside Group is committed to conducting its business in an open and honest manner and as such this our Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) policy reflects the commitment of our employees to minimise the impact of our operations for future generations and ensuring the welfare of its staff and the local area. We pride ourselves with promoting all we do in an ethical and integral way. As part of our commitment to responsibly sourcing we continuously monitor the impact of our working practices and the design of our systems to ensure any environmental impact is minimised.
For our full CSR Statement please visit: www.comar-alu.co.uk/environmental
Aluminium Facade for New Hotel
International hotelier Park Regis have opened their first European hotel in Britain’s second city Birmingham. Towering over the skyline at 16 storeys the £50 million pound hotel offers 254 rooms, a gym, various bars, business and conference centres and a 2 storey glazed terrace sky bar delivering high end dining to Birmingham. 
Comar Architectural Aluminium Systems were selected to provide the façade with curtain walling, windows and entrances. The key element of design for the Rofuto Sky Bar was to allow diners to enjoy clear uninterrupted views across the city, a double height Comar 6EFT Curtain wall was selected as it offers strength with a sleek 50mm sight-line. This ground breaking system, leads the way by offering a 50mm stick system with the capability to span further as the mullions and transoms have the highest Ix and Iy values on the market today. The design is also in keeping with the hotels minimalist Japanese Interior which echoes the “Byoba” art of Japanese screens. The curtain wall grid was off-set with symmetrically staggered mullions and transoms which create the typical lattice effect found in Japanese interiors.
The profiles where finished in RAL 7016 Matt Grey which seamlessly blends into the mahogany, cream and gold interior. All structural calculations were carried out by Comar’s Special Projects Team who ensured all Comar bracketry and fixings will withstand any sway, dead or live loads.
The cladding to the façade below the Rofuto Sky Bar was a palette of Ruukki panels, polished stone rain screen, and Kingspan Benchmark, A. Comar’s interface range of adaptors allowed the Comar 5Pi Advanced Windows to seamlessly integrate with the differing cladding elements. The design detailing of all these elements ensured that the façade had no thermal bridging and will maintain it’s air and water-tight solution.
Moving to the base of the building, Comar 6EFT capped curtain walling was used. Comar 6EFT interfaces with the dramatic angled cantilevered entrances. For this element of the face design the detailing and installation had to be precise to ensure that drainage and seals create a future-proof water tight solution.
Integrated into the curtain wall the entrances have to provide both a statement of welcome and ensure uninterrupted access. Often the first experience of a hotel is the entrance, which needs to provide form as well as function. The Comar 7P.i Commercial Door system is one of the most comprehensive on the market today. Sections are robust and offer an ideal solution for high traffic entrances. The doors selected were auto sliding which allow uninterrupted passage into the double storey entrance lobby.
APiC, a Comar Approved Fabricator were involved throughout the specification stage with both Comar and the Architect. APiC also worked closely with the Contractor to ensure that the project programme was met to ensure the time critical opening of March 2016 was achieved. Steve Tycer Managing Director of APiC UK, said. “We enjoy working with Comar as I know we can reassure our clients that site deadlines will be met. Comar’s Market Leading delivery is a key factor when we are up against a tight programme.“
Developer: Colmore Tang Construction
Architect: BDG (Building Design Group) Tamworth
Congratulations – Bennetts Associates – Building Awards 2016
Comar were delighted to sponsor the Architectural Practice of the Year Award at the 2016 Building Awards held in London on 8th November.
And the winners are: Bennetts Associates – congratulations to you and all the shortlisted practices from the team at Comar Architectural Aluminium.
5plus Architects
Allford Hall Monaghan Morris
Assael Architecture
Bennetts Associates
BuckleyGrayYeoman
HLM
Levitt Bernstein
Make Architects
Ryder Architecture
Scott Brownrigg
Welcome New Territory Manager
Comar are delighted to welcome Andy Hale as Territory Manager for the Midlands, Wales, Oxfordshire, Pembrokeshire & Buckinghamshire areas.
Contact Andy at: andyh@parksidegroup.co.uk
Aluminium Specified for Innovation Hub
Comar in conjunction with their approved fabricator Tradeglaze provided and installed the Aluminium solutions for the new KLIC Innovation Centre, Nar Ouse Regeneration area based in Kings Lynn, Norfolk.
The 22,000sq ft centre is owned by Nwes the leading enterprise agency and delivers long awaited state-of-the-art commercial work space for the West Norfolk area. This £5 million centre was made possible with £2.5 million of funding from New Anglia Local Enterprise Partnerships – Growing Places Fund and £1,150,000 million from the local Borough Council.
Comar systems installed on this project were: 6EFT Curtain Walling, Comar 9P.i Fixed Lights with Comar 7P.i Commercial Doors installed for the external entrances.
Architect: Fielden & Mawson
Contractor: R G Carter, Kings Lynn
Fabricator: Tradeglaze
Aluminium Solution -Tall Buildings for Students
Chamberlain Student Accommodation
The University of Birmingham’s new Chamberlain Hall Student Accommodation is an impressive example of regeneration which is in keeping with the landscape as well as providing all essential capacity growth for the future. Consisting of 2 linked tall towers at 17 at & 21 stories and 5 “finger” blocks.
With the modern financial implications of studying and attracting international students, accommodation needs are changing. The University of Birmingham now has a building which gives good quality architecture and a landmark to Birmingham’s skyline that advertises the quality of the institute to perspective students and their parents.
Feasibility studies indicated that to increasing the density could not be achieved with the existing floor-plan therefore a new building was commissioned. The design concept was to maintain the links to the previous building tower yet create a design that was modern, light; creating a place where students would wa
nt to live, socialise and study.
The Façade concept was to ensures that the palette of colours is sympathetic to the landscape, using rich coppers, and an intelligent use of brickwork the building merges into the landscape and maintains cross corridor views to the lake.
The façade had to provide function as well as form. Day-lighting is vital to aid with studying, no dark gloomy corners, a light and airy interior is desirable. Natural ventilation was a must, however, in keeping with the structured façade open-in windows were required fronted with ventilation panels, to allow ventilation yet not impact on the façades integrity, maintaining the clean lines and sleek elevations.
Making the façade work and integrate with all the cladding elements involved Comar Architectural Aluminium Systems designing new methods of fixing. The flush façade was a must and all the elements: Comar Glazing, Mesh and Copper panels needed to integrate.
One of the engineering challenges on the project was the connection of the perforated copper cladding panels to the Comar 6EFT curtain walling. This connection had a few considerations, such as the metals being at opposite ends of the galvanic table, aesthetic demands, thermal performance and the structural considerations of loading panels to Comar 6EFT curtain walling.
Continental Installations worked closely with Comar Architectural Aluminium Systems and main contractor Balfour Beatty on the complex façade. The team designed a bespoke capping profile which was extruded with re-enforced walls capable of fixing the copper panels directly to it. A heavy duty pressure plate
with a fixing port arrangement, was used to mechanically fix the capping to the pressure plate. Subsequent regular fixings then transmitted the applied loads back to the rear structural mullion member to ensure there was no thermal bridging. All connections were fully isolated to prevent bi-metallic corrosion.
This bespoke design then included inward full height opening windows which sat behind the façade, Comar 5P.i Advanced Tilt/Turn open in windows were selected. These windows were perfect for the application as they offer slim sight-lines, thus maximising daylighting as well as the profiles themselves have thicker walls that provide robustness and large spans to ensure they stand the test of time.
On the window elements Comar 5P.i Advanced Tilt/Turn open in windows were selected. These tilt/turn windows are perfect for the application, they offer slim sight-lines to maximise day-lights as well as the profiles themselves have wide wall thicknesses that provide robustness to ensure they stand the test of time. The wire mesh fitted directly onto the window.
The five finger blocks were sited to draw people through the buildings and connect with the landscape beyond. Full height windows were selected, again, from the Comar 5P.i Advanced Tilt/Turn range. 
Fritted glass was used to the bottom of the glazing, allowing light, but prevents items below the desk being seen from the outside. The use of bay windows provide a feature to the buildings facade and views of the landscape for occupants. At upper levels again to maximise views, study bedrooms have splayed bay windows, a feature in the original 1960s Mason Hall.
Systems Used: Comar 6EFT Curtain Walling, Comar 5P.i Advanced Tilt & Turn Windows & Comar 7P.i CD Doors
Project Value: Part of £42 Million Redevelopment
Photographer: John Kees Photography