Hydro Building Systems launches WICONA Projects and scores a construction industry first
2006-09-07
Hydro Building Systems, the world's largest supplier of aluminium building systems, has launched Wicona Projects - the first façade specialist in the UK to offer a complete turnkey service for the building envelope.
Hydro Building Systems, the world's largest supplier of aluminium building systems, has launched Wicona Projects - the first façade specialist in the UK to offer a complete turnkey service for the building envelope.
Wicona will oversee the full façade package for its unitised curtain walling system, from design concepts to fabrication, installation, testing and handover, giving architects, contractors and developers the benefit of a seamless approach and complete peace of mind.
Wicona now has a dedicated base in the UK and a team with the expertise to offer a fully integrated service for the façade. This approach and the highly engineered unitised curtain wall will allow specifiers to apply Modern Methods of Construction to the building envelope by maximising off-site working, significantly improving quality and safety.
One of the most widely used and technically advanced unitised systems in Europe , the Wicona curtain wall can reduce time on site by up to 70 per cent and offers an infinite variety of aesthetic variations. It can also be adapted to specific project requirements and new designs can be developed for more complex façades.
Commenting on the launch of Wicona Projects in the UK , Bob Welsh, General Manager of Hydro Building Systems, said, “We felt the time was right to combine Wicona’s highly engineered yet proven unitised curtain walling system with the most comprehensive design and façade management team in the UK and Ireland . Our vision is to bring all the advantages of off-site construction and a unique turnkey service to the building envelope – helping contractors and architects meet the increasing demands for shorter programmes and superior performance.”
“Wicona’s experience in unitised curtain walling spans two decades across Europe, during which time it has completed an impressive portfolio of applications, illustrating just what’s possible with this technically advanced system.”
“The addition of the Wicona brand to Hydro’s portfolio means that with the success, continued expansion and increased demand for our Technal range of glazing systems, we are well placed to remain at the forefront of façade design in the UK , Ireland and across Europe .”
Wicona Projects will lead a team of specialists for every aspect of a façade project using its unitised system, including design, glass specification, fabrication and materials handling off site, transportation and on-site handling equipment, installation, testing and site auditing.
Wicona’s unitised curtain walling system offers architects complete freedom in design, with a combination of profiles, external feature caps and glazing. The system is fully glazed and sealed off site and can incorporate stone cladding; metal, composite or polycarbonate panels; windows, doors and fixed light glazing; brise soleil sunshading and photovoltaic panels.
