Quantal passes with honours at Oxford
Commercial specialist Tull & Darch has completed a challenging 63 sq m conservatory installation for Oxford University using the Quantal aluminum roofing system.
Appointed by university’s mathematics department the building was commissioned as an extension to the department’s restaurant – sited some four storeys up amongst the city’s famed spires.
Stephen Tull, partner, Tull & Darch, said: “It was a challenge, there were no two ways about it. We had to apply for a license to bring a crane onto site and simply gain access.
“It was exceptionally complicated, we had to stock pile materials and equipment and get it delivered and up to site within the five hour time frame.”
The new ‘high-rise’ restaurant dining area posed structural challenges in equal number. Having identified that the original curtain walling was not structural, the company commissioned the construction of five steel portal frames to form the skeleton of the new building.
Stephen continued: “The Quantal system was a good aesthetic match but more importantly was structurally flexible so we were able to integrate it with the original system and our own steel portals and box guttering. The fact that it’s such a highly engineered roofing system with such high tolerances gives it that flexibility.
“The structural integrity of the wide-span heavy duty rafters also gave us greater flexibility to match sightlines with the portals.”
Tull & Darch is one of a growing number of conservatory specialists who have successfully established reputations within the commercial sector, working with a variety of clients from care home providers, the NHS to schools and local authorities and in its own case, even an international embassy.
Ian Cocken, general sales manager, Quantal, said: “For retail specialists the step across to include a commercial operation as part of their offer may, as long as they have the skill set and the right product portfolio, makes good sense.
“Most ‘commercial’ aluminium systems are relatively restricted. They aren’t usually manufactured as dedicated roofing systems and as a consequence don’t have the flexibility so capabilities are restricted to perhaps a lean too or gable end at best.
“The Quantal system is a full roofing system and because it’s a full system it is far more versatile and suitable for a greater range of designs, for example variable pitches and a valley detail design fully geared to bespoke structures – it’s a complete glass roofing system.”
For more information about Quantal, part of the Epwin Group, please contact 01626 832355 or visit www.quantal.co.uk.
