DORMA sliding wall systems for university redesign

Four DORMA Horizontal Sliding Wall systems (HSW) have been installed as part of the £3.4m remodelling of the Main Library at the University of Warwick. The HSW glass sliding walls were specified by MJP Architects, who required a flexible and stylish system that would enhance the dynamic new ‘Teaching Grid’ concept at the heart of the library.

With most libraries, one size usually fits all. At the University of Warwick maximising the space available was an important design consideration. The result was clever space utilisation, offering a segmented approach that would allow more accessible and collaborative support to be provided by all staff involved in teaching or training. By incorporating the DORMA HSW system into the library area, one large open area can easily be reconfigured into three individual spaces, as and when required.

Stephen Morey, Associate at MJP Architects is delighted with the outcome: “We have worked with DORMA and the HSW system before on different types of applications, including shop fronts, so we know its capability. Given the overall aesthetic demands of the library design, using it at Warwick has once again proved what an elegant solution it provides”.

The beauty of the DORMA HSW system is that it enables the creation of internal partitions that can be easily moved out of the way to leave a lighter, brighter, barrier free area. It is available in a range of variants with either framed or unframed panels and virtually any shade and colour combination for the fitting surfaces is possible - so it can be integrated perfectly with interior design solutions.

The units installed at the University are full height sliding and folding glass screens, and although designed primarily as room dividers, the system also doubles as display screens on some of the interior walls of the units.

The HSW system is supported on ceiling tracks and there are no floor channels or guides, allowing the flooring material to remain unbroken, with no dirt traps or obstacles underfoot to trip over. Any or all of the sliding panels can be equipped to act as single, or double action swing doors and when the system is opened, the doors and panels are stacked in parking bays.