Issue 45 Feb 25 web - Flipbook - Page 20
Pre-contract involvement sees
ASWS earn refurb contract for
historic Copthall House
As an acknowledged specialist in the restoration of steel and other metal windows, Associated Steel
Window Services (ASWS) is regularly called upon to carry out surveys for client’s consultant teams
in advance of major projects beginning. Copthall House in the City of London being one instance
where its involvement in preparing a scope document led to the company being awarded a contract to
carry out the demanding work.
The property on the edge of the City of London dating
from the late 19th Century – originally built as described
in ‘The Buildings of England’ (Pesvner guides) as
‘Mathiesons the Printers’ – has been redeveloped into four
high specification serviced offices by L.M. Stern. The cost
consultant for the scheme was Gardiner & Theobald,
with whom ASWS has a long association and which
led to the fenestration specialist’s early involvement,
surveying the historic four-storey frontage and advising
on the most economic intervention for the aging
aluminium fenestration.
The Contracts Director for ASWS, Kris Bennell explains,
“We were approached during the tender process by three
contractors as we were the recommended specialist
for the glazing restoration/work; having made the recommendation in our original scope document that the
windows could be refurbished instead of being replaced.
Culena London was successful in being appointed as
main contractor, and we were awarded our contract in
December 2022, two years after conducting the survey.”
“When work began the programme was very tight with
the scaffold due to be struck in April 2023 while, with the
aluminium frames being 30 years old, there were a
number of split edges to the casements which required
repairing, but the bulk of the work involved servicing the
vents, replacing the factory fitted draught strips, as well
as cutting out the perished rubber glazing gaskets and
replacing them with manually applied silicone top caps,
internally and externally.”
“Then because the original manufacturer of the window
system could not be identified, we also faced a significant
task of sourcing new ironmongery; eventually going
to Steel Window Fittings, a fellow member of the Steel
Window Association.”
Below, Copthall House.
