English Heritage at The Engine House – Selectaglaze awarded return ticket

In 1840, Daniel Gooch, the young locomotive superintendent of the Great Western Railway (GWR) wrote to Isambard Kingdom Brunel recommending Swindon as the location for a much-needed engine works. His letter stated that the then tiny hilltop town had ‘the great advantage of being on the side of a canal communicating with the whole of England, by which we could get coal and coke’. Just four years later, the GWR Central Engine Station was a reality.

A three-storey building was subsequently added to the site in the 1870s to provide general office accommodation and airy light-filled drawing offices, with a further storey added in 1903. After ceasing operation as an Engine Station, this section of the Grade II* listed building was acquired by English Heritage in 1992 to house the organisation’s extensive archives. As part of the interior refurbishment of the time, Selectaglaze, the UK’s leading designer, manufacture and installer of secondary glazing, treated windows on the south elevation to improve noise insulation from the railway lines.

Recent rationalisation of English Heritage’s office space around the UK has resulted in an increased number of the organisation’s responsibilities being delivered from The Engine House by over 500 members of staff. It now includes a public access library, dark rooms, photographic conservation laboratories and meeting rooms. To facilitate these extra areas of responsibility, the building required further renovation and conversion works which were put out to public tender. The requirements included ‘the thermal upgrading of windows by installation of secondary glazing units and draught proofing of windows’ to specifications prepared by Oxley Conservation, an historic buildings consultancy. The successful applicant for the secondary glazing element was, again, Royal Warrant holder, Selectaglaze.

A total of 100 sash windows of different sizes were treated using the slim profile Series 20 system for smaller windows and the heavy-duty Series 90 range for ‘monumental’ style sash windows, some with curved heads. Low emissivity glass was incorporated throughout to optimise thermal performance.

Each window was individually measured and a bespoke frame made that fitted precisely to ensure a good seal. The windows arrived fully fabricated and were installed quickly and with minimum disruption to the fully functioning office.

Founded in 1966 and a Royal Warrant holder since 2004, Selectaglaze has developed particular expertise in the treatment of period buildings, working with a wide range of clients.

The company has an extensive range of literature and guidance notes on acoustics, thermal performance and security. It also offers a technical advisory service and a RIBA-approved CPD Seminar for professional designers.

• For further information, please contact Selectaglaze on Tel: +44 (0)1727 837271; email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or visit: www.selectaglaze.co.uk.