A defining element of the redevelopment was the addition of a new canopy extending across the entire width of the façade. The project was designed by VV Projekt, with KFK responsible for the cladding works, and aimed to combine contemporary aesthetics with long-term performance. The architectural approach focused on creating a welcoming environment for passengers while ensuring high technical standards suitable for an airport operating in demanding climatic conditions.

One of the main design features of the project is the use of SunGuard® SuperNeutral® (SN) 70/35) glass by Guardian Glass. Selected for both its visual and functional qualities, the glass provides a neutral blue reflection that complements the surrounding coastal landscape while reinforcing the modern character of the building. Its high light transmission allows generous levels of natural daylight into the interior spaces, supporting a bright, comfortable, and calm atmosphere for passengers and staff.

From a performance perspective, SunGuard® SN 70/35 offers strong solar control, helping to reduce solar heat gain and lower the need for artificial cooling. This contributes to improved energy efficiency without compromising transparency or exterior views. The glazing is especially suited to fully glazed façades and large-format window systems, where a balance between daylight, solar protection, and visual clarity is essential.

The combination of high-performance glass and the dynamic structural membrane of the canopy creates a distinctive architectural composition, giving Split Airport a recognizable and contemporary appearance.

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The certification applies to three NorDan products, NSHEV Side Opening, NSHEV Side Hinged, and NSHEV Top Opening, all of which will be delivered with WindowMaster’s proprietary smoke control actuators. The systems are specifically designed for integration into commercial façades, where controlled smoke extraction is essential for maintaining safer evacuation routes during fire events. By removing smoke from stairwells, corridors and shared escape areas, smoke ventilation systems improve visibility, reduce heat build-up and support emergency response access.

Testing carried out under EN 12101-2 confirms performance across multiple critical criteria, including aerodynamic efficiency, durability and resistance to environmental stress. The certified systems meet:

• Annex B: Aerodynamic performance testing
• Annex C: Reliability testing, including 1,000 + 10,000 cycles for dual-purpose ventilators
• Annex E: Low ambient temperature performance down to T(-15°C)
• Annex F: Wind load resistance tested to 2000Pa
• Annex G: Heat resistance classified to B300
• Annex H: Reaction-to-fire classification E

The collaboration combines NorDan’s façade-integrated window engineering with WindowMaster’s automation and smoke control expertise, creating a complete, compliant solution that simplifies specification for architects, façade consultants and contractors working under strict UK fire regulations.

Erik Boyter, CEO of WindowMaster, said that smoke remains one of the biggest causes of fire-related fatalities, highlighting the importance of reliable systems that can rapidly clear building interiors. The partnership reflects both companies’ shared focus on delivering safe, high-performance façade solutions.

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Based in Surrey, The Milford Window Company has developed a reputation for bespoke home improvement solutions, combining traditional craftsmanship with a modern, design-led approach. The award-winning installation highlighted how carefully selected replacement products can significantly enhance a property’s kerb appeal while maintaining compliance with current Building Regulations.

The project stood out for its confident mix of traditional-style replacement windows paired with bold, statement-coloured entrance doors — a design choice that created a strong visual identity while respecting the character of the home. Assessors praised the overall cohesion of the installation, noting the attention to detail and the consistent aesthetic finish across the façade.

According to FENSA, initiatives like Installation of the Month are designed to celebrate the expertise of Approved Installers and highlight projects that demonstrate not only technical compliance, but also design excellence and customer-focused execution. The organisation emphasised that modern replacement installations increasingly require a balance between performance, visual impact and precision installation.

Sam Davies, Technical Manager at FENSA, noted that the project demonstrates how skilled installers can use replacement products to complement traditional architecture while introducing a contemporary edge. The assessment focused on craftsmanship, finishing quality and the lasting impression created by the installation.

As part of the recognition, The Milford Window Company will now be entered into the Installation of the Yearcompetition at the G26 Awards, alongside receiving promotional assets and industry visibility through FENSA’s channels.

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The nine-storey building is being reimagined as a contemporary workplace destination, reflecting the growing demand for sustainable urban retrofit projects across the UK commercial sector. A core requirement of the redevelopment was to significantly improve the building’s environmental performance while preserving its strategic riverside location and architectural identity. As a result, Reynaers’ low-carbon aluminium CW 50 system was selected to replace the existing concrete brutalist façade, helping create brighter, energy-efficient spaces with improved daylight access.

Working alongside architect Buckley Grey Yeoman (BYG), contractor Mace Construct Ltd appointed long-time Reynaers partner Century Facades, with Aluminium and Glass Facades (AGF) supporting the façade delivery. The project will see the building renamed Fresh Wharf, reflecting its repositioning as a modern, sustainability-focused commercial hub.

The CW 50 system was chosen for its combination of design flexibility, recyclability and high thermal performance. Featuring a slim 50 mm sightline and the capability to support glazing units weighing up to 700 kg, the system enables large glass surfaces that maximise natural light and provide uninterrupted views towards key London landmarks, including Tower Bridge and The Shard. Reynaers also emphasises the product’s compatibility with green technologies and its ease of fabrication and installation, helping reduce construction complexity and overall carbon impact.

Scheduled for practical completion in mid-2026, the redevelopment will deliver approximately 70,000 sq ft of Grade-A office space, around 5,000 sq ft of retail, a riverside restaurant, a first-floor podium terrace and a rooftop garden aimed at enhancing occupant wellbeing.

Once completed, the new high-performance façade is expected to reduce energy consumption and long-term carbon emissions, positioning Fresh Wharf as a strong example of circular design principles applied to large-scale commercial retrofit in London’s competitive office market.

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As longstanding exhibitors at one of the world’s leading retail trade fairs, the two companies will present a joint booth focused on advanced glass solutions designed to improve energy efficiency, sustainability, and merchandising performance in refrigerated display systems.

Four Strategic Pillars Driving Innovation

At this year’s exhibition, Saint-Gobain highlights four key pillars shaping its approach to refrigeration glazing: partnership, sustainability, energy efficiency, and turnkey solutions. Moving beyond the traditional supplier role, the companies position themselves as technical partners capable of delivering fully customized solutions for manufacturers and retailers.

Visitors will discover a wide range of high-performance components including frameless doors, panoramic side walls and sliding lids engineered to integrate seamlessly into modern display systems while enhancing product visibility.

Design and Transparency at the Forefront

Among the flagship systems on display are the EKO® CRYSTAL–T DOOR and EKO® PURITY side walls, designed to maximize transparency and create a cleaner, more premium shopping experience. These frameless solutions aim to improve product presentation and encourage customer interaction, supporting stronger merchandising performance in retail environments.

Sustainability and Low-Carbon Glass Solutions

Sustainability remains central to the companies’ strategy, aligned with the Saint-Gobain Group’s ambition to reach net-zero emissions by 2050. The showcase includes ORAÉ® low-carbon glass, energy-saving coatings, and production processes aimed at reducing environmental impact without compromising performance.

Energy Efficiency as a Key Driver

Energy performance is another major focus at EuroShop 2026. Saint-Gobain will present glazing systems engineered to reduce heat loss and lower operating costs, including:

• EKO® PRO horizontal sliding lids offering up to 20% energy savings
• VISION LITE® II + PLANITHERM® doors for positive-temperature units
• Heated anti-fog glazing for negative-temperature cabinets

INSIO® Vacuum Glazing Innovation

A major highlight of the exhibition will be INSIO®, developed in collaboration with LuxWall, introducing next-generation vacuum glazing for commercial refrigeration. Featuring a vacuum layer thinner than 0.3 mm, the technology significantly improves thermal insulation, reduces condensation, and enables slimmer, more efficient door designs while cutting energy losses by up to half.

EuroShop 2026 Presence

With a portfolio combining design, clarity, sustainability, and high thermal performance, Saint-Gobain Glass and Saint-Gobain Prime Glass Working reinforce their position as leaders in refrigeration glazing technology. Visitors can explore the full range of innovations at Hall 14 | Booth D54 during EuroShop 2026.

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Part of a global series held across major cities worldwide, ZAK World of Facades focuses on the latest innovations in façade design, high-performance building envelopes, and advanced glazing technologies.

The Tirana edition is set to gather architects, façade engineers, developers, consultants, and system suppliers from across the Balkans and wider European market.

The conference will feature keynote presentations, technical sessions, and project case studies exploring topics such as unitised curtain wall systems, sustainable façade strategies, energy-efficient glass solutions, and digital design integration. International brands and regional industry leaders are expected to share expertise and showcase cutting-edge materials and technologies shaping the future of building envelopes.

Hosting the event in Tirana reflects the city’s growing architectural ambition and rapid urban development, with an increasing number of complex mixed-use and high-rise projects transforming its skyline.

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1. Saint-Denis–Pleyel Station – Saint-Denis, France

Designed by Kengo Kuma, this landmark station is defined by its sculptural “play of folds” and a dramatic atrium that channels daylight 28 metres down to the platforms. More than 3,000 m² of double insulating glazing, largely laminated with acoustic interlayers, were installed, incorporating Sunguard SN 70 selective coatings for optimal solar control and energy efficiency. Tvitec supplied high-performance glass solutions for façade specialist Frener & Reifer and contractor Bexis. Clad in wood and glass, the nine-storey station (four levels underground) serves approximately 250,000 passengers daily.

2. Mons Station – Mons, Belgium

The 165-metre-long cathedral-like gallery designed by Santiago Calatrava is a luminous white structure that elevates the railway experience into a monumental urban gesture. Tvitec supplied nearly 14,000 m² of glazing, including triple insulating glass units with Sunguard SN 40/23 coatings, combining high light transmission with solar protection and thermal insulation. The project also features tempered, low-iron laminated glass, installed in collaboration with Spanish façade contractor Aluman.

3. Villejuif–Gustave Roussy Station – Villejuif, France

Designed by Dominique Perrault, this station is structured around a 70-metre-diameter glass-covered cylinder. Despite reaching depths of 50 metres, the design ensures that natural light penetrates down to the platforms. The vast central void defines the space, transforming vertical circulation into a theatrical architectural experience.

4. Gadigal Station – Sydney, Australia

Designed by Foster + Partners in collaboration with Cox Architecture, Gadigal Station exemplifies contemporary urban mobility. Beyond its transport function, the station integrates public art by Callum Morton, featuring 10,000 glazed porcelain tiles in vibrant colours. The project balances technical precision with cultural expression, humanising the commuter journey.

5. Baiyun Railway Station – Guangzhou, China

Designed by Nikken Sekkei, this mega-hub serves a metropolis of 18 million people. It integrates 24 high-speed rail lines, six metro lines and three bus terminals. A multi-level circular pedestrian walkway links platforms with surrounding commercial and office areas, while landscaped gardens soften the scale of this vast infrastructure, creating a greener, more welcoming urban experience.

6. KAFD Metro Station – Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

Designed by Zaha Hadid Architects, KAFD Station anchors Riyadh’s 176-kilometre, 85-station driverless metro network, the longest automated transit system in the world. Its fluid geometry symbolises a city in transformation, bridging tradition and future ambition within the King Abdullah Financial District.

7. Qasr Al Hokm Metro Station – Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

Designed by Snøhetta, Qasr Al Hokm was conceived as a major urban plaza. Its striking inverted stainless-steel cone reflects the surrounding historic district while revealing a contemporary interior. Below ground, a lush garden creates an unexpected spatial contrast, reinforcing the station’s role as both transport node and civic destination.

From Paris to Riyadh, these stations demonstrate how transport infrastructure can evolve into architectural icons. The integration of high-performance glass, particularly in Saint-Denis–Pleyel and Mons, highlights the critical role of advanced glazing in delivering daylight, energy efficiency, acoustic comfort and visual transparency at scale. 

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The site occupies a prominent urban junction at Zhongxiao West Road and Bo’ai Road, steps from Taipei Main Station, one of the city’s busiest transport interchanges. Positioned between the historic Beimen Gate and the 1930-built Taipei Beimen Post Office, the project responds to a dense pedestrian environment shaped by daily commuter flows.

Urban guidelines for the district emphasize improved walkability and stronger public space. ZHA’s proposal organizes the ground plane as a permeable landscape of plazas, shaded walkways and open courtyards. A sequence of “outdoor rooms” extends the surrounding street network through the block, maintaining long views toward Beimen Gate and reinforcing pedestrian connectivity.

The restored Beimen Post Office will remain in place along the eastern edge of the site. Its masonry façade and decorative detailing are preserved, with the building set to become a museum and cultural venue. A glazed canopy inserted between old and new structures shelters a central courtyard designed for performances, gatherings and daily public use.

Rising 47 stories above this civic base, the tower adopts a stepped profile inspired by the fluted geometry of Taiwan’s native Phalaenopsis orchid. Vertical pleats define the façade, reducing apparent bulk while casting shifting shadows throughout the day. Beyond aesthetics, the pleated envelope modulates solar gain and supports natural airflow, enhancing energy performance in Taipei’s humid subtropical climate.

The project positions financial infrastructure within an open, publicly accessible urban framework, merging heritage conservation, environmental performance and contemporary high-rise design.

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The project’s key technical milestone is its 559t steel frame, of which approximately 77% is reclaimed. The largest single source is City Place House, another GPE London asset, providing 375t, equal to 67% of all steel used on the scheme. A further 3t of steel, previously part of a plant deck, was salvaged from the demolition of French Railways House. Additional reclaimed sections were supplied from stock held by Cleveland Steel and European Metal Recycling (EMR), supplemented by 54t of new steel where required for performance and detailing.

Mace reports that the reclaimed-steel strategy has delivered an embodied carbon saving of 744t CO₂e, supported by offsite fabrication and reduced site operations. Reuse, however, required intensive refabrication: reclaimed beams were often too long and had to be cut to suit the new grid, while some columns were spliced (up to three segments) to achieve full storey heights. Previously solid beams were also reworked into cellular members, with bespoke openings cut to allow building services to pass through the structural zone.

The structural concept uses a concrete core offset along the western party wall, allowing steel beams spanning up to 13m to radiate to the north, east and south elevations, creating column-free office floorplates. Floors are formed as composite slabs using metal decking and a concrete topping. The retained single-storey basement and a double-height ground floor accommodate retail and reception, with offices above and terraces on the top three levels. Completion is expected mid-2026, targeting BREEAM Outstanding and WELL Platinum.

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Stopray Ultraselect is more than a façade material. It’s a precision tool for architects and engineers. With 70% visible light and just 33% solar heat gain, the glass balances daylight and thermal control without altering the building’s historic look. Its low-reflective, neutral finish keeps the original character intact, while giving interiors a modern, airy feel.

For residents, the benefits are tangible: rooms stay cool in summer without heavy air-conditioning, yet retain warmth in winter. Natural light streams in, enhancing comfort and cutting electricity costs. The building is not only visually striking, it’s efficient and smart, proving that sustainability can coexist with style.

Sustainability is baked in. Stopray Ultraselect carries Cradle to Cradle Bronze certification, meaning its lifecycle, from production to installation, respects environmental principles. Less solar heat gain reduces energy demand, helping the building operate cleaner and leaner.

The transformation of the Meelpakhuis shows how high-performance glass can revive heritage spaces without overpowering them. This is a warehouse that works hard: it’s functional, energy-efficient, photogenic, and comfortable. AGC’s Stopray Ultraselect proves that glass isn’t just a material, it’s a tool for creating buildings that feel alive, not just preserved.

Leiden’s Meelpakhuis now stands as a benchmark for smart renovation, where history, design, and technology collide in the most elegant way possible.

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