NINEWELLS, CAMBRIDGe

Built on the outskirts of Cambridge, Ninewells comprises 270 family homes and apartments built to a deliberately high specification.

VELFAC composite windows and doors feature throughout the development, maximising natural light, enhancing countryside views, and providing a window-walling solution to match the aesthetics of VELFAC windows and doors.

As preferred glazing supplier for Hill (a housebuilder working in a joint venture with developer Bushmead Homes), VELFAC was specified early on in the development of Ninewells: ‘The slender VELFAC composite window and door frames result in large glazed panels which are ideal when you want to install window (and door) sections up to 2.4m high,’ says Denis Devane, Senior Technical Coordinator at Hill. These larger windows are used to increase solar gain, improve already excellent energy performance, and flood the spacious interiors with natural light, further enhanced by a white paint finish to the internal timber frame.

Externally, large, pitched-roof town houses feature full height (and width) VELFAC sliding doors on all three floors. The resulting façade highlights the slim external aluminium VELFAC frame, finished in bronze, and is an ideal complement to the natural timber, pale brick and bronze cladding used throughout the development. ‘Projecting bays are also a feature of many houses,’ adds Denis: ‘These were to be installed by a curtain walling specialist, but they could not offer an opening light narrow enough for the side of the bay, so we specified VELFAC instead. We also used the VELFAC system instead of curtain walling on most of the apartment blocks.’

Ninewells showcases innovative architecture and sustainable design, and is a positive enhancement to the semi-rural landscape in which the development sits. As a result, Ninewells has won a number of prestigious awards including ‘Best Out of London Home’ from the London Evening Standard New Homes Awards, and WhatHouse? ‘Best Development’ Award.

Sector: Residential

Developers: Hill and Bushmead Homes

Architects: PRP

Specified for:

• Slim frames / large glass area
• Maximum daylight
• Internal timber / external aluminium
• Energy efficiency
• Design versatility