As part of a £1.2 million redevelopment at Queens Park Station in Paignton – the headquarters of the Dartmouth Steam Railway – Brett Martin Daylight Systems supplied a series of architectural Ritchlight skylights to provide an attractive, contemporary building which reflects the rich heritage of Victorian railway stations.
Designed by MTA architects, the project included the construction of a new terminus building, platform canopy and restoration shed. Working closely with MTA and client Dartmouth Steam Railway and River Boat Company, Brett Martin worked with the roofing contractor to design a natural lighting solution comprising a combination of Ritchlight products with grey powder-coated aluminium glazing profiles.
A single Ritchlight dual-pitched rooflight – measuring 5.4m along the ridge and 2.3m down each slope length – was installed on the slate roof of the main ticket hall. With the addition of four electrically operated opening vents, the building can be naturally ventilated whilst the skylight is double-glazed in self-cleaning glass with a blue tint to minimise the effects of direct sunlight.
Above the main entrance and at the rear of the ticket hall, Ritchlight Monos were installed in the vertical position in the glazed gables. Measuring 5.9m wide by 1.8m at the highest point to form a triangle, the glazing composition included opal laminated inner glazing to obscure air conditioning units directly behind the glazing.
For the train platform area, almost 33 metres of Ritchlight mono glazing profiles were installed to create a bright area for train passengers to shelter and wait along the platform. Due to the station’s location close to a cricket pitch, it was important to reduce the risk of glass shattering under impact so specially laminated single skin toughened glass was used to glaze the long canopy.
Two Ritchlight Ultra gable ended skylights were also installed in the flat roof canopy outside the café to provide a covered but well-lit external area. Measuring 2 metres long and 1.4 metres wide, the rooflights were also double-glazed with toughened over laminated glass for additional strength and durability.
As one of the finest heritage steam railway journeys in Europe, the heritage line carries approximately 200,000 passengers to Dartmouth every year. With the specification of Ritchlight skylights adding to the stylish aesthetic, both externally and internally, Brett Martin has helped to deliver a new facility that is welcoming and attractive to passengers and staff.
