Curved automatic sliding doors create entrance for Spitfire-inspired building

A curved automatic sliding door system from GEZE UK has been specified for The Wing, an eye-catching building designed to replicate the shape and uplift of a Spitfire’s wings. 

The Wing is home to a new visitor and education centre for the Battle of Britain Memorial Trust at Capel-le-Ferne in Kent. 

Key to the building’s design is the expansive curved glass viewing platform across the building’s first floor. To echo the lines of the viewing platform, GEZE’s Slimdrive SCR all-glass circular lobbies were specified to create two separate entrances.

Each circular lobby features two sets of automatic bi-parting curved sliding glass doors, to create a draught-free entrance which would withstand the elements and help to limit heat loss.

The doors are powered by the Slimdrive SCR drive, which has a virtually invisible installation due to its operating height of just 7cm.

The Slimdrive SCR has been designed and tested to meet the requirements of all relevant standards and regulations, including Building Bulletin 93, Approved Documents B and M and the Equality Act.

Andy Howland, sales director at GEZE UK, commented: “It’s often said that a building’s design is unique, but in the case of the Wing, which has been designed to remind visitors of WWII’s most iconic aircraft, the Spitfire, it truly is.

We are always delighted to have the opportunity to work on such high profile projects and the Wing is no exception. The circular lobby created by the Slimdrive SCR, reflects the cockpit-style viewing platform and has been designed to allow the building’s many visitors to enter quickly and easily.”

Richard Hunting CBE of the Battle of Britain Memorial Trust added:  “The Wing is an eye-catching, high quality building that was designed to make a statement while at the same time respecting its surroundings and not detracting from the Memorial itself. The Trust is delighted with the design, the quality of the building and the reaction from visitors.”

The Wing has already received 55,000 visitors since it was opened by the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh in March 2015.

Contact:

GEZE UK,
Blenheim Way,
Fradley Park,
Lichfield,
Staffordshire,
United Kingdom,
WS13 8SY

Phone: 01543 443000
Fax: 01543 443001

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