Offering a modern take on the industrial look, high performance aluminium windows, doors and curtain walling from Senior Architectural Systems have been specified for a new residential development created as part of the regeneration of historic docklands in Tyne and Wear.

Located on the former Smith’s Dock shipyard in North Shields which dates back to 1857, the new Smokehouses have been designed by Simpson Haugh architects and jointly developed by Urban Splash and Places for People. Comprising two apartment blocks, the scheme celebrates the industrial heritage of the location whilst providing residents with an aspirational, modern living space. Utilising solutions from across Senior’s comprehensive product range, the fenestration package has been installed and fabricated by North Eastern Glass Ltd for main contractor Robertson CE Ltd, with whom Senior has an established supplier agreement.

The attractive glazed frontage of the two buildings offers spectacular views of the River Tyne, with the simple rectangular shape of Senior’s aluminium windows contributing to the overall industrial design which takes inspiration from nearby warehouse buildings. The individual apartments benefit from Senior’s patented low U-value PURe® aluminium windows and PURe® SLIDE aluminium doors, which also provide access to a balcony area. The ground floor retail areas feature Senior’s slimline SF52 aluminium curtain walling and robust SPW501 aluminium commercial doors to create both a practical and welcoming entrance.

The aluminium frames of Senior’s windows, doors and curtain walling have also been powder-coated at Senior’s in-house facility to achieve a dark industrial tone, which not only adds interest to the extensively glazed areas but also perfectly complements the buildings’ rich, red zinc cladding.

As well as offering aesthetic appeal and slim sightlines, Senior’s aluminium fenestration systems are highly durable, require little maintenance and can be powder-coated in a range of colours and finishes, making them ideally suited for use in exposed waterside locations. With both the SF52 aluminium curtain walling and PURe® aluminium windows and sliding doors offering enhanced thermal performance, Senior’s high-performance fenestration solutions can also help to reduce carbon calculations and heating costs.

The two buildings are the first to be completed as part of the first phase of the Smokehouses development and the wider regeneration of Smith’s Dock shipyard. Also helping to breathe new life into the area is Fab House, an exclusive collection of three-bedroom family homes exclusively designed by TDO Architecture and architect and TV presenter George Clarke.

For more information about Senior, visit www.seniorarchitectural.co.uk or search for Senior Architectural Systems on Twitter, LinkedIn and Facebook.