WICONA window system frames historic skyline at Hiscox building

Glassolutions has supplied high performance systems from its WICONA range to the Hiscox building in York. 

The specification has helped Make Architects and contractors BAM Construction create a stylish and sustainable headquarters for the York-based insurance company, attaining a BREEAM rating of ‘Very Good’.

The WICONA system was utilised primarily on the third floor terrace, fronting meeting rooms with WICTEC 50SG sliding doors which provide access to an outdoor seating and entertainment space that overlooks the historic walled city.

Glassolutions’ in-house team worked with Make Architects to create a sweeping glazed wall which includes both convex and concave forms with constantly varying faceted angles. 

An exterior 150mm mullion was used, with all sections showing a RAL 7012 Basalt Grey Qualicoat Matt finish, whilst 47mm thick IG units deliver the required thermal performance.

One of the senior architects involved with the project for Make Architects, George Guest, commented: “The client wanted to create much more than an office building, with half of the floor area being given over to creating an atrium, while there is a lot of exposed concrete at the balcony edges and all around the interior – giving impact and creating thermal mass.

“With this project being designed to achieve BREEAM Very Good, making use of passive heating and cooling was very important so we have two and a half elevations of woven brickwork, then the entire triple height north elevation being glazed.” 

The other glazed areas to the Hiscox building feature WICLINE 90SG windows, also offering excellent insulation values and high levels of daylight transmission in addition to an attractive aesthetic appearance.