Berkeley Homes’ latest development of luxury apartments in Aylesbury, Bucks features the UK’s first multi-faceted installation in the REHAU-Polytec 50 PVC-U curtain walling system.

The centrepiece of the new Observatory development is a multi-storey, circular glazed tower which would traditionally have been fabricated using aluminium. However, REHAU and its installer Express Glass and Glazing worked closely with Berkeley Homes to design and install the tower in PVC-U as a more modern and cost effective alternative.

The 14 metre glazed tower is a feature of many of the 45 apartment interiors and also forms a rooftop solarium and gives access to a luxurious roof terrace.

The REHAU-Polytec 50 system was launched in the UK market in 2004 and is winning acceptance amongst specifiers and developers as a fast and easy solution for multi-storey curtain walls. It has slimmer sight lines than previous PVC-U systems and competes head on with aluminium in terms of performance and durability.

This is the largest single installation yet completed in the new system but other recent projects have included similar new build residential developments, individual bespoke properties and commercial buildings.

Alongside the REHAU-Polytec 50 curtain walling, Express has also installed more than 700 windows fabricated in REHAU’s S706 70mm system in the remainder of the Berkeley Homes development.