Trinity College

2,250 premium heritage sealed units for the grade 1 listed Cambridge college

New Court is a Grade I listed building which underwent comprehensive refurbishment in 2016. As part of the client’s brief to reduce the energy loss of the building by 75%, the original single glazing was replaced with new sealed double-glazed units. This was one of the most controversial elements of this landmark project and was consented on the basis of the visual and technical quality and the discreet installation of the double-glazed units.

The Original Glass Company, (part of the Holloseal group based in Cambridgeshire) were nominated to supply in excess of 2,250 specialist thin glass sealed units for this highly sensitive upgrade of the 200 year old grade 1 listed accommodation block. The drawn glass outer leaf (that replicated the historical character of the original glazing) of their premium Heritage sealed unit enabled students to benefit from cutting edge technology whilst maintaining the aesthetics and significance of this important historical building, satisfying the concerns of the college, Historic England and the City’s conservation officers concerns.

This project has set a new benchmark for the sustainable retrofitting of historic and listed buildings.

We chose The Original Glass Company because the product has solid test evidence to underpin its manufacturing quality. The pricing was competitive, the company were proactive in developing the critical details and prototypes for the installation, and the service is what you would expect from a long established professional company.