| ERA
Products Helping to Build for the FutureOxley Woods is a truly
innovative and outstanding development bounded by woodland to
the west of Milton Keynes. George Wimpey, along with design partners
Rogers Stirk Harbour + Partners, were successful in acquiring
the site in a government run competition with a requirement to
build sustainable homes combining comfort and character with an
environmentally friendly lifestyle.
Working
to a challenge of creating innovative and imaginative housing
to a tight budget, architects Rogers Stirk Harbour + Partners
had a novel idea for the windows. The panes of glass were to be
fixed in position, with a special ‘door’ at the side
to allow for ventilation. It was this unique design feature driving
the requirement for a made to measure multi point lock, which
is where ERA Products, The Door Lock People, became involved.
They
were approached by one of their hardware customers to supply a
multi point lock to fit a window, rather than a door, which seemed
an unusual yet intriguing request. The initial enquiry had come
from Derby-based specialist joinery contractors Wood Newton; appointed
by George Wimpey as a result of showing commitment to deliver
to high design and construction standards and it was their challenge,
with the help of ERA, to turn the idea into reality.
Another
requirement of the design specification was for the locks to meet
the stringent standards set by Secured By Design, the UK Police
flagship initiative supporting the principles of ‘designing
out crime’. ERA’s high-security multi point locks
are licensed by Secured By Design, making them the optimum choice
for this project. Their multi point locks also meet the requirements
of BS EN 1670:1998 for corrosion resistance, have bi-directional
hooks to ensure maximum resistance to forced entry and carry a
10-year guarantee.
The
Oxley Woods development is due for completion in 2009 offering
145 homes in 2,3,4 and 5 bedroom designs. John Green of Wood Newton,
the company responsible for the detailed design, manufacture and
installation of the eco homes, expressed his excitement for the
development by saying:
“We
are very proud to be involved in such an important development
that could shape the future of house building.
“ERA
Products gave us confidence from the outset that they not only
had the quality product and accreditations required, but that
they were fully committed to supplying a made to measure product
on time.”
As well as manufacturing Secured By Design accredited door and
window locks, ERA have also made significant investment in their
new UKAS (United Kingdom Accreditation Service) approved Test
Centre enabling them to test door systems to PAS 23/24 standards.
|
