The accolade comes from the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA), which named Regent a 'Company of Excellence' for the project, at the HQ of the Signal Squadron (Volunteers) at Horfield, Bristol. The title qualifies Regent to be included in a number of exclusive RIBA directories as well as putting it on a shortlist for the Institute's annual awards.
The project was nominated for recognition by architects the Cavanna Partnership of Bristol.
Regent Managing Director Andrew Genko, who designed the 250 windows for the restoration, said: "It is very unusual for PVC-U to be allowed in any Listed Building so we were delighted to have been chosen to carry out the work in the first place. The honour of recognition by the Institute came as quite a bonus on top of that. Regent was replacing original steel frames, so simply copying them was out of the question.
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"The challenge was to retain the same feel to the building using the new materials. As well as the blast-proof construction, the multiple crucifix design also meant the windows were not easy to manufacture but the result was well worth the effort."
The window replacement was part of an overall project that included replacing the interior of the 1940s-built HQ and replacing or repointing much of the brickwork. An extra challenge was that the HQ had to remain fully operational throughout the 12 weeks of the project.
Regent has, for the last six years, manufactured from the Veka system of PVC-U extrusions and has undertaken many large Local Authority and Housing Association contracts since it was founded in 1994. The company manufactures all its own PVC-U and aluminium windows in its own factory where it also has a glass shop and conservatory roof fabrication unit.
For more information on the Regent RS Group follow the weblink www.construction.co.uk/company_225750.htm on Build.co.uk.
