Charles Morris Halls, Leeds

Facade systems from Technal helped the University of Leeds to set a new benchmark for student accommodation in the city.

More than 3,00sqm of Technal glazing systems for the Charles Morris Halls were fabricated and installed, and the £21m student halls of residence comprises of two half-hexagon buildings sited around a central landscaped courtyard, providing 457 hotel-style study bedrooms.

The challenging glazing specification involved the construction of large oriel glazing bays that project 300mm in front of the cladding, and contrasting projecting bays to the corners of the two buildings. The oriel bays provide a different architectural feature and an alternative to more conventional recessed panels of glazing.

The floor to ceiling glazed units, which maximise natural light were constructed using aluminium curtain walling inset with top-hung casement windows. These were fabricated and installed into the bays in more than 30 different sizes to create a less regimented appearance for the building envelope. Laminated glass with coloured interlayers adds further interest to each facade - in panels of green where the glazing is set into red brickwork on the external elevations and orange for the courtyard elevations to complement the cream-coloured brick cladding.

Long runs of curtain walling using 1500mm modules enclose the common room and the link bridge between the two accommodation blocks. The window units in the common room are linked to the air conditioning system, which allows them to open automatically according to CO2 levels. All other opening units on this scheme are operated by low-level levers to allow anyone, regardless of any disability to open the windows.