In 1929 it was the most expensive building in the world but the former HQ of the BBC World Service, Bush House in London has been sensitively restored and brought up to modern standards as part of the landmark Aldwych Quarter redevelopment. To meet the client’s exacting standards for product quality and long term performance, DORMA, the trusted global partner for premium access solutions and services supplied a range of door controls and floor springs.
Working in collaboration, development manager JLL, main contractor ISG and John Robertson Architects, the redeveloped and iconic Bush House along with Melbourne House and the rebranded Strand House and King House have been comprehensively refurbished to provide 290,000 sq feet of flexible Grade A office space with a target BREEAM rating of ‘Excellent’.
With the building stripped back so that the original Edwardian features could remain prominent it was imperative that door closers and ironmongery were both aesthetically pleasing and compliant with the latest legislation. Provided by architectural ironmongery specialists Aspex UK, a large number of door operators, concealed door closers and floor springs from DORMA were specified on various packages of works for their compact and elegant design, long term durability and ability to provide safe, secure and reliable access.
Approximately 213 x ITS 96 concealed door closers, 140 x TS 72VBC closers, 47 x TS73 V closers and 4 x BTS 75V floor concealed closers were supplied and installed across the three buildings for offices, corridors and entrances to offer maximum reliability, proven quality and peace of mind.
“We have always specified DORMA and their reliability, practicality and robustness is second to none,” commented Graeme White, Technical Sales at Aspex UK. “They are the natural choice for high profile projects such as Bush House where high quality products with the best features are essential.”
The first system of its kind to subtly integrate door closers into the leaf and frame of the door itself, the DORMA ITS 96 can be incorporated into most door types to maintain an elegant interior design. Combining a stunning appearance with exceptional performance, the DORMA ITS 96 concealed closers were selected due to their low opening forces (in accordance with BS8300:2009 and Approved Document M), fire test performance and hidden design.
With the transformation of this iconic building now complete, DORMA’s comprehensive door package for the Aldwych Quarter has helped to deliver outstanding performance, exceptional safety standards and reliable, smooth access for office users for decades to come.
