Tailor made skylights ensure buildings see the benefits of daylight

A fundamental element of contemporary architecture, there is little doubt that an abundance of natural light in buildings has a positive effect on our moods and manners. One of the best ways to capture this natural light and reduce the need for artificial lighting, whilst at the same time meeting today’s energy efficiency targets, is through the specification of skylights which can be tailor- made for any application.

Proven across new builds and refurbishments and widely specified for schools, public buildings, retail developments and homes, Brett Martin’s Ritchlight is the natural destination for discerning specifiers wanting high levels of daylight in their designs and a solution to their skylight needs.

Design flexibility

With Mono and Dual pitched and Ultra skylight options suitable for flat roofs, ridge glazing and northlights, each Ritchlight offers a minimum pitch and is custom-built to your desired specification. The design opportunities are endless, with any run length achievable; and this sloped skylight solution can also create canopied courtyard areas by abutment to a wall plate purlin.

Hayley Lowry, Marketing Manager of Brett Martin Ltd said: “Ritchlight skylights offer specifiers the best of both worlds when it comes to skylights, with each skylight designed and built to a specification, no matter what the application.”

Available in a choice of thermally efficient glass and polycarbonate glazing options in solar controlling tints, a range of opening and ventilation options and elegant aluminium framing which can be powder coated to a range of colours, Ritchlight is the only way forward for tailor-made skylight solutions. And with U-values as low as 1.1 W/m²k, Ritchlight Mono, Dual or Ultra Pitched skylights can help achieve Part L of the Building Regulations.

Shedding light

As part of their commitment to reduce energy costs and to bring the maximum amount of natural daylight into a heavy trafficked public building, Strathclyde Partnership for Transport (SPT) turned to Brett Martin for a daylight solution at the largest bus station in Scotland.

A key transport hub in the city centre, Buchanan Street Bus Station in Glasgow has around 1,700 bus journeys departing from the station every day, and over 40,000 passengers using these journeys on a daily basis. Looking to reduce their carbon footprint and save on electricity consumption, SPT’s roof refurbishment works included the specification of solar panels and Brett Martin’s Ritchlight Dual Pitched skylights.

The Brett Martin team completed the installation of a 65m long Ritchlight Dual Pitched skylight over the main concourse to ensure maximum daylight and create a bright and welcoming environment for bus users. Glazed in Pilkington activ blue with self-cleaning glass, the skylight installation took place between the hours of 23:00 and 6:00 to avoid any travel disruptions.

A wealth of possibilities

Designed and manufactured in Brett Martin’s own BSI quality accredited and ISO 14001 environmentally accredited factories, these tailor-made Ritchlight skylights are backed up by comprehensive support from design to specification, and finally installation, ensuring specifiers can help realise their aspirations.

“Bespoke as standard is the order of the day with this cost effective daylighting solution. Specifiers can also rely on our technical and design team providing advice and assistance from design to specification and installation,” added Hayley Lowry.

Skylights make a vital contribution to every building and are often the only way of introducing natural daylight into many buildings. The physiological benefits are enormous - daylight relaxes, improves concentration and makes people feel better. Architects, specifiers and building owners must switch on to the benefits of natural daylight to save energy, ensure compliance, and crucially, create an environment people want to spend time in.

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