Joining the structures of two companies is a 46.5m-long linear glazed atrium, which uses glazing bars from the APL Window Solutions product portfolio. This is one of the longest glazing bar projects supplied by the APL manufacturer network in recent years. The atrium links the old and the new buildings’ floor plates, flooding offices with generous light and helping to nourish a gallery of lush planter boxes. 

The project, designed by Hamilton architects Edwards White, brought together over 600 staff who had previously been spread across different offices in Hamilton’s CBD. With the building hosting a new remote control room for some of Genesis’ power stations, a generator was installed to ensure the utility remains operational in a power outage or emergency. 

Other window systems used in the project were APL Flushglaze on the first floor, 150mm Structural Glaze spanning the second and third floors, 40mm seismic windows, and APL Architectural Series sliding doors, which open on to two decks. On two sides of the building, the Structural Glaze mullions were penetrated by steel brackets from inside to outside, allowing the exterior mounting of vertical metal louvres to resemble twisted white ribbons. These perforated fins provide solar control. 

The surface finish for the window systems was Duratec Matt Black powdercoat. Double glazing was used throughout the project, with grey-tinted glass applied on some elevations. The glazed atrium also used fritted glass. 

A full range of APL commercial window systems were used in the award-winning new Genesis Energy head office, supplied by First brand manufacturer Origin Windows.

First Windows & Doors is a brand of APL Window Solutions.

ArchitectureNow works with a range of partners in the A&D supply sector to source appropriate content for the site. This article has been supported by APL