Natural light floods new campus

Howells Patent Glazing has supplied five bespoke rooflights for the new University of Gloucester City Campus. Specify & Build reports. 

City Campus is a vibrant new hub in the heart of Gloucester. The former Debenhams site has been transformed into a centre for teaching, learning and community services. Howells Patent Glazing was tasked with supplying five bespoke rooflights and two areas of mono pitch glazing for this iconic building.  

University of Gloucestershire purchased the site in 2021 and has been working with main contractor Morgan Sindall, and project architect ADP Architecture, to create a home for the University’s Education, Psychology and Social Work programmes and shared public access facilities. The site includes a Victorian wing and sections dating back to the 1930s and 1950s, with the complex transformation combining heritage preservation with progressive development. 

“The existing building had a floor plate that was too deep for an educational environment, making it difficult to bring daylight into the centre,” says Natalia Lopez, ADP’s Associate Director. “With only a few existing rooflights located above the third floor, natural light was unable to reach the lower levels effectively. To address this, new rooflights and openings were introduced across all floor plates, enabling daylight to penetrate the central social learning spaces and classrooms, and even down into the basement.” 

Howells advised on the most appropriate rooflighting solution, recommending the design and installation of two hip-ended rooflights, two self-supporting octagon rooflights, two areas of mono pitch glazing and one tapered ridge rooflight. 

Natalia continues: “The voids and rooflights were strategically aligned along a central ‘social ribbon’ that runs through the building. Conceived as an active street, this internal spine fosters activity, interaction and connectivity between floors.” 

Rooflight specification 

Due to their size, Howells appointed a structural engineer to complete structural calculations for each rooflight to ensure the aluminium bars could withstand the weight of the glass plus any imposed loadings. The fabrication team strengthened the glazing bars based on these calculations, adding steel inserts that increased their span capabilities. One of the hip-ended rooflights measures 3.2m long by 6.3m wide and is the largest manufactured by the Black Country-based specialist. To guarantee a precise installation, this rooflight and a slightly smaller version were built-up in the factory before being dismantled and sent to site.  

The tapered ridge rooflight went from 5.1m to 4.3m wide along its 12.5+m length and dropped by around 24.5cm. This presented many challenges that had to be addressed at both the design and fabrication stages. Shaped glass is used throughout. The two self-supporting octagonal rooflights replaced one smaller rooflight that had sat above the central atrium and two new areas of mono pitch glazing were added. Each bespoke aluminium rooflight is powder coated in Black Grey RAL 7021 Matt, inside and out. 

Glass specification 

Each rooflight uses Class 2 non-fragile glass. For additional strength and lasting performance, Howells fabricated the rooflights using double glazed units comprising an 11.5mm heat strengthened laminated inner pane and a solar control 6mm toughened outer pane. The laminated inner pane provides significant UV protection, blocking up to 99% of harmful UV rays. The tapered ridge rooflight also boasts a self-cleaning coating due to its inaccessible location. 

Open and connected 

Daylighting was a crucial element of the building design. ADP Architecture recognised that a sufficient provision of rooflights would be essential to achieve the wide-ranging benefits of daylighting. Particular consideration was given to the layout, enlarging existing openings and adding more. 

“Daylight is fundamental to the success of the building, shaping not only its environmental performance but also the quality of its internal spaces,” concludes Natalia Lopez, Associate Director, ADP Architecture. “By bringing natural light deep into the floor plate, the design creates vibrant and uplifting environments that encourage interaction, collaboration, and a sense of community.  

“Access to daylight has proven benefits for wellbeing, comfort, and concentration – essential qualities in educational and social settings. In this building, daylight transforms circulation and gathering areas into active, engaging spaces, while supporting quieter zones with a calm and restorative atmosphere. Ultimately, it is the presence of daylight that enables the building to feel open, connected, and alive.” 

www.howellsglazing.co.uk