Jul 13 2007
Benenden Hospital an independent establishment with charitable status in Kent celebrating its centenary this year.
Benenden’s Lister wing is a modernist master piece designed by Burnet, Tait & Lorne in 1937, the long low ship like design has characteristic bull- nosed ends.The intricacies of this building concept meant that replacement of the original worn metal windows demanded a complicated variety of styles, a challenge that Clements with their extensive experience and expertise rose to without difficulty. The doors and sidelight screens which allow patients to access the grounds and balcony, along the length of the building were replaced with a combination of W20 and W40 steel suites glazed with both 14mm and 26mm units. Faceted door screens were used for the glazing which wraps around the ends of the building. Round “bull’s-eye” pivots, and curved-on-plan units were installed on the staircases. The curved on plan double glazing represented a particular challenge for the company.
The Directors, staff and patients at Benenden hospital are delighted with the finished job as is the Listed Building Dept.
Peter Clement, Chairman of Clement Steel Windows commented “thankfully as a protected building the wonderful unique look of Benenden has been preserved…so often today cheaper alternative materials are used to replace steel fenestration and the building becomes another victim of dreadfully thought out restoration”
All the windows and doors were polyester powder coated in a white semi- gloss to replicate the pre war windows and doors. The project valued at £150,000 is now complete.