Usworth Sixth Form College

Usworth Sixth Form College Images

Location:  Sunderland, Tyne and Wear

Architect:  Dewjoc Architects

The UK’s leading supplier of door and window control systems GEZE UK has chalked up another success with a combination of automatic and manual door closing solutions at the state of the art Usworth Sixth Form College in Sunderland, Tyne and Wear.

Specialist curtain wall fabricator Topside Ltd chose GEZE’s Slimdrive SC automatic door for the college entrance while architectural ironmonger Laidlaw Solutions at Gateshead specified GEZE’s reliable TS 2000 door closers for the interior doors. Both products were selected for their versatility and quality, essential in the demanding college environment.

The main objectives for the build were to maximise energy efficiency and minimise lifetime costs, as well as create an attractive environment for students and teachers while complying with regulations. GEZE UK was therefore the perfect choice to deliver manual and automatic door closers that could enhance the design and facilitate the efficient movement of students during busy class changes. Meeting the demands of aesthetics and functionality, the TS 2000 is also CERTIFIRE approved (CF 252), making it suitable for use on fire doors.

With a height of just 7cm, the Slimdrive SC was the ideal product to be fitted as inconspicuously as possible, enhancing the overall appearance of the front entrance.

The draught proofing provided by GEZE’s automatic door contributed to the energy efficiency of the building whilst maintaining a smooth flow of students and teachers in and out of the college at peak periods.

GEZE’s UK sales and marketing director, Jules Quested-Williams said: “It was great to work with Topside on this cutting-edge project. The busy college environment is a very tough one for all fixtures and fittings and with ongoing maintenance and durability as key demands, it was pleasing that GEZE’s products were the first choice, in terms of reliability and quality.

Jules continued “We really value our long-standing relationship with Laidlaw Solutions and Usworth College is the latest in a long line of projects where we have worked together. With some GEZE's closers included in their own brochure, we're delighted to be associated with such a successful and forward-looking company."

Managing Director of the Architectural Ironmongery division at Laidlaw Solutions Peter O’Brien said: "GEZE door closers were the natural choice for this project, as they offered all the appropriate efficiencies and were fit for purpose. By working in partnership with GEZE who are a core range supplier to us, we are able to offer customers a broad choice of reliable, stylish closers with technical service and support second to none. “

Topside’s managing director Ian Hutchinson said ”The demands of the project team meant we needed an aesthetic, robust and energy efficient solution for the main entrance of this project, and GEZE UK met these requirements perfectly.”

The £7.5m project, designed by Dewjoc Architects and built by Balfour Beatty Construction, won the 2006 Public Sector Building of the Year Landmark Award and is a light, bright, learning environment for over 1,000 students between the ages of 16 and 19. The three-storey building is fully equipped with modern classrooms and science laboratories, a Learning Resource Centre, a lecture theatre and glass-topped social areas for the students.