Case study: Dalston Lane

The VELFAC system has been installed at Dalston Lane, the world’s largest CLT (cross laminated timber) building. VELFAC supplied full-height glazed units, punch-hole windows and glazed doors for both residential and commercial units, with the system specified for its high performance features, contemporary design, and sustainable construction.

Meeting challenging criteria

Dalston Lane comprises 121 apartments over ten storeys, set around two courtyards housing shops and restaurants. The project has received international attention for its pioneering architecture, becoming an exemplar project for high quality, high density, inner city housing, and uses VELFAC glazing to help deliver healthy, comfortable and attractive spaces in which to live or work.

‘Dalston Lane is an ambitious project, and we knew that VELFAC could meet our challenging performance and design criteria,’ explains David Lomax, Senior Associate at Waugh Thistleton Architects. ‘Excellent acoustic control was a priority, for example, as the site is surrounded by transport routes, including a railway line. We specified a mix of double and triple glazing across the build, and also installed both standard VELFAC vents (concealed within the slim frame) and acoustic trickle vents.’

Sustainability drives product choice

Sustainability also drove product choice. The use of CLT greatly reduced building weight, material production costs and energy consumption - and therefore carbon footprint. ‘The VELFAC commitment to sustainability, in design, manufacture and performance, was an important benefit,’ says David, ‘and helped Dalston Lane achieve Code 4 for Sustainable Homes standards, and also a BREEAM Excellent rating.’

Impressive design versatility

The composite VELFAC frame also allows impressive design versatility which was fully exploited at Dalston Lane, where the external aluminium frame is used to enhance and extend an aesthetic based on the local historical context. ‘Nearby Victorian warehouses feature big, bold, ‘tough’ windows,’ explains David, ‘and we echoed these by specifying a dark brown external polyester powder paint frame finish. Internally, the design is completely different - in residential units, timber VELFAC frames are painted white, blending into white walls, complementing pale wooden floors, and bringing extra light into living spaces.’

Dalston Lane was completed in 2017, gaining significant press coverage when the building was officially opened, as well as being shortlisted for a number of prestigious architectural prizes, including being Highly Commended in the AJ Sustainability Awards.