The prestigious 19th century Whitworth Art Gallery has undergone a £15m redevelopment project. The vast project to extend and restore the gallery has transformed the existing buildings and gardens as well as introducing the development of new exhibition and gallery spaces.

The target for the gallery was to reduce its overall annual carbon consumption by 10%. The gallery has doubled in size since its extension plan so it is paramount that any unwanted energy consumption is eliminated to achieve the carbon reduction desired. GDL won the contract to design, manufacture and install a bespoke natural ventilation system for the gallery that will ensure its annual targets are successfully met. Harnessing natural wind and temperature buoyancy to ventilate buildings significantly reduces energy consumption and provides a sustainable and energy efficient alternative to traditional mechanically ventilated methods.

GDL installed 15 bespoke penthouse turrets with an anodised finish for the iconic building in keeping with the architects’ design requirements. The tamper-proof fixings on the turrets were hidden from sight and they also incorporated gas struts that were used as a counterbalance to support the roof so that it doesn’t lift in the event of extreme weather.

One of the bespoke penthouse turrets houses a projector for one of the galleries, with a glass screen on one side. The turret incorporates a hoisting system so that it can be lifted into position as and when necessary. This dual purpose Turret is both functional and environmentally efficient.

For more information visit www.grille.co.uk or call 01457 861538