ss Great Britain Visitor Centre

Project Summary

This high profile project, which was completed in 2010, was part new-build and part refurbishment, with the scheme ultimately delivering a new visitor centre and museum on the site as well as 145 apartments. The new building was designed to reflect Brunel’s original Steam Engine Factory that was built in the 1830s, with the brickwork and window and door detailing echoing its original features.

A combination of some 600 Smart Visoline tilt & turn and casement windows and Smart Wall doors, was installed in the building, with the window combination design producing the look of ‘dummy doors’ on the building’s balconies. The front elevation also appears to feature arch-headed windows, although these are actually square-headed on the inside, with feature panels on the external face forming the arch. Internally, the building’s walkways feature narrow window ‘strips’ in the kitchens of the apartments, allowing light and air into rooms, without compromising privacy.