Built in 1772, ‘Square Chapel’ is a red brick built Georgian Chapel and one of only few square churches ever built. Almost thirty years ago, in 1988, the Square Chapel Trust was set up to save the Grade II listed chapel to convert it back into a place of worship and a performing arts centre in Halifax. After gaining popularity in the town, in 2012 a further £5.9m development fund was raised to be invested in the complex, with £3.9m by way of Arts Council funding. Located next to the Piece Hall in Halifax, the Square Chapel now includes a second 120 seat auditorium, that provides a cinema with live screening facilities.
Today, the Square Chapel forms a popular complex which offers the best in film, theatre, live music, comedy, family shows and workshops complete with a large bright foyer, where refreshments are served daily. The foyer comprises of a strikingly designed and decorated arrowhead roof construction, designed by architect Evans Vettori. Aluprof have provided full height curtain walling in their MB-SR50N system which has been supplied in a dark grey powder coat. The curtain walling was designed and installed by the specialist envelope contractor H-K-L of Sutton-in-Ashfield.
As the new roof to the foyer could not be loaded onto the existing structures of the Piece Hall or Square Chapel, everything is carried on three central structural steel trees. The tree metaphor is echoed in the leafy colours on the angled canopy soffit, which has led the two entrances to be dubbed either the ‘spring’ or ‘autumn’ bridges with green being the dominant shade on one, and brown on the other. Completing the theme, the etching of branches on the south wall glazing has been artistically provided to help reduce solar gain.
Amongst the characteristics of the MB-SR50N system, is a wide choice of 50mm wide mullion and transom profiles complete with substantial assembly cleats that offer single glazed modules of up to 450Kg to be carried. The system includes a continuous thermal barrier made of HPVC insulating material complete with profiled EPDM glazing gaskets which makes it possible for the system to achieve very high levels of insulation to meet demanding BREEAM ratings.
Aluprof’s extensive range of systems extend to unitised curtain walling, sliding folding doors, commercial doors systems and a wide range of window systems, all of which are increasingly being specified on a variety of residential and commercial projects across the UK and overseas. All systems are designed and installed by selected, specially trained companies to ensure each product meets Aluprof’s exacting standards. Further information is available on the company website at aluprof.co.uk.
