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Swiss Church - London

The Project

Pilkington Pyrostop® has been specified in the refurbishment of a Grade II listed Church in London. The Swiss Church, founded in 1762, recently undertook a £2.08 million makeover including repairs to the external façade and new windows.The focus of the project was to expand the Big Hall by shortening the gallery, as well as adding a new floor. These changes were designed to endow the Big Hall with its former elegant proportions. In line with this elegance, all partitions between the simple slab structures were made from Pilkington Pyrostop®.

Pilkington Pyrostop® provides an extensively tested range of fire-resistant glass options in a wide range of fire-resistant framing systems, providing a maximum level of protection and a safe and reliable choice for the designer and installer.  The clear alternative to a solid wall, it is designed for consistent behaviour in a fire and has an established track record of fire test and real fire experience behind it over many years.  Pilkington Pyrostop® provides protection from flames and hot gases to allow an orderly evacuation in the case of a fire and continues to protect valuable assets in the building until the fire is put under control.  The product provides impact resistance up to Class 1(B)1 to BS EN 12600, the highest performance classification.

As well as this high level of protection, installing a largely glazed area created a sense of openness in the church. Although technically a solar control product, Pilkington Eclipse Advantage™ was specified to maximise the potential of the church’s skylight, as it bounces light down, reflecting it across the entire main church hall. This glass is normally used externally and supplied in 6mm form, but a special 13.5mm laminated glass was produced for this project.

On entering the renovated building, visitors can see the entire body of the church. A glass partition separates the foyer from the main hall and allows access to other levels, ensuring that the congregation is not disturbed.

Brian Byrne, Kingswood Specialist Glazing, said: “The Swiss Church renovation was an ambitious project which we were enthused about from the outset. Obviously, the listed status of the building created some challenges but it also provided scope to make some real and beneficial changes to the building. As well as improved use of natural light and fire safety, the acoustic properties of the glass installed between the office and church hall achieved a significant sound reduction.”

Pilkington Pyrostop® was specified for its 30 minute integrity and insulation in case of fire. Pilkington Pyrostop® provides protection from flames and hot gases to allow an orderly evacuation in the case of a fire and continues to protect valuable assets in the building until the fire is put under control.  The product provides impact resistance up to Class 1(B)1 to BS EN 12600, the highest performance classification.

For more information visit: www.pilkington.co.uk/pyrostop

  Project ReferenceUK0098_ProRef
  View Project Location Map
Project Details
Address
79 Endell Street London WC2H 9DY
Building Type
  • Public
  • Museums and Cultural Building
About the Architect/Installer
Benefit Led Categories
  • Fire Protection
  • Solar Control