Project cost: £40,000
Glass Contractor: Shop Front Services
Photos: Fluid Structures

The city centre site at Reading was completely refurbished as part of Barclays flagship store rebranding programme. As part of this a new much more open and welcoming façade was created in full height toughened structural glazing, giving uninterrupted views in and out of the store. Key aspects of the façade design were the large three metre high sliding doors. These have a significant effect on glazing wind loadings when open and also present a risk of potential progressive collapse of the glass façade should one of the lower panels fail or be damaged.

Fluid Structures worked with the specialist glazing contractor to develop a configuration of panels and supports, closely integrated with the over-door brand signage and sliding door operator. This enabled the store designers' concept to be met and structurally provided the required degree of safety whilst remaining economical.