Bending the rules

Architectural innovation is always dependent on being able to source appropriate skills, technology and materials. For the Supreme Court project, the architect's vision of semi-transparent, sculptural staircases was realised through the use of curved toughened glass from Glasshape.

Architect Roy Wilson of Warren & Mahoney says the freedom of design provided by the curved glass is a key benefit, but it is not the only attraction.

"Architects always like to specify curved rather than facetted glass, and being able to source such glass locally is a real bonus."

Glasshape has invested in new technology that enables it to produce very large panels of curved toughened glass up to 3.9m high by 2.44m around the girth. The company says its furnace produces the largest panels available in Australasia, which has many benefits for clients who no longer have to source such panels from overseas suppliers. It means there is a much shorter lead time, for example, and there are sustainable benefits from sourcing the glass locally.

Glasshape provided curved toughened glass for the main courtroom in the new building, and 15mm toughened glass rated Grade A for safety for the gallery upstand, gates and balustrading.

The company says each staircase has a particularly tight radius. All the glass was also manufactured for a precise fit there were very low tolerances. Working to a tight timeframe provided an additional challenge. The glass was the very last thing to go into the new building, but Glasshape was able to deliver on time and within budget.

To contact Glasshape, 65-67 Woodcocks Road, Warkworth 0910, phone (09) 422 2565, fax (09) 422 2566. Email: info@glasshape.net.nz, or visit the website: www.glasshape.co.nz.

Story by: Trendsideas