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TORMAX iMotion Operators Automate V&A East Storehouse Entrance

    TORMAX UK was contracted by Spec-Al Facades to install its advanced iMotion 1301 door drives to automate a pair of heavy, bespoke swing doors, that form one of the main public entrances to the new V&A East Storehouse Museum. The iMotion door drives feature robust, gearless motor technology that delivers smooth, silent operation while comfortably handling the significant weight and height of the custom stainless-steel and aluminium door leaves. Their precise control software manages door speed, inertia and safety, ensuring dependable, predictable movement that supports steady visitor flow into one of London’s newest cultural destinations. 

     

    Modern building entrance with open glass doors marked "V&A." People entering, minimalist interior visible. Overcast sky reflected in windows.

    Located on the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, the V&A East Storehouse is a major new public facility that brings visitors behind the scenes of a world-leading museum collection. Combining open-access storage, conservation spaces and exhibition areas, the building is designed for the constant movement of people — requiring access points that can withstand continuous use while remaining discreet within the architectural envelope. 

     

    The TORMAX iMotion 1301 drive is engineered without gears or brushes, ensuring exceptionally low wear, long service life and minimal maintenance. Its high-torque motor enables confident automation of oversized swing doors, while adaptive controls manage factors such as wind load and levels of foot traffic. The system is fully compatible with access-control integration, safety sensors and building-management interfaces, providing architects with a flexible solution for complex public buildings.


    Metal doors of a modern building open with "V&A" letters; gray and metallic tones dominate. Security camera on the left wall.

    “TORMAX has long specialised in automating bespoke and architecturally significant entrances,” said Simon Roberts, Managing Director of TORMAX UK. “The V&A East Storehouse required technology that could support the unique steel and aluminium doors in a high-traffic environment without compromising the clean visual design. The iMotion 1301 was engineered precisely for scenarios like this, where reliability, endurance and architectural sensitivity all matter.” 

     

    With a portfolio covering sliding, swing, revolving and folding automatic entrances — all built around the Swiss-engineered iMotion range — TORMAX provides automation solutions for commercial facilities, transport hubs, healthcare, educational environments and retail. The company offers full design guidance, technical support and nationwide maintenance to ensure long-term access performance. www.tormax.co.uk

    Thinking About Sliding Doors? Here’s What You Need To Know Before You Specify

      Over the past decade, sliding doors have become the go-to choice for architects creating designs that bring in more light and space into their projects. Whether it is an extension, a renovation, or a self-build project, it’s easy to see the appeal - large panels of glass, slim frames, and seamless views of the garden. But as the demand for slim-framed doors has grown, so has the number of products on the market. And while those ultra-thin frames look fantastic, they can come with hidden risks that end-clients don’t find out about until it’s too late. 


      Modern house at dusk with large windows illuminated from inside. Night sky is deep blue, trees surround the property, calm atmosphere.
      Credit: MOOi Architecture / Matthew Smith Photography​

      The problem with ultra-slim sliding doors​


      Edward Stobart, Technical Sales Manager at IDSystems, explains: “Traditionally, windows and doors use glazing beads that hold the glass securely inside the frame. But with some ultra-slim frames, there’s simply no room for these beads. To keep the profile as narrow as possible, some manufacturers now glue or permanently bond all four edges of the glass directly to the frame - creating what is known as a structurally bonded sliding door.” Structurally bonded doors are easy to spot - they’re the ones with extremely slim frames all the way around the glass. The catch? Because the glass is permanently attached to the frame, it can’t be replaced if it breaks - the entire panel, frame has to be changed. 


      Modern living room with a large orange sofa, glass coffee table, and gray armchair. Wide windows show a lush garden view.
      Credit: AR Design Studio / Paul Carter Photography​

      Why that’s a costly problem​


      In most cases, a home insurance policy will cover broken glass - but it is unlikely to cover the cost of a brand-new door frame. And if the company that supplied your doors has since gone out of business, getting replacement parts might not even be possible. Edward added, “Over the past few years we’ve spoken to homeowners looking for help with broken glass who had discovered that their original door supplier had closed down and the system they had bought was no longer available. When they tried to replace broken glass, they were shocked to learn they’d need an entirely new door system - something they were never warned about before buying.” 


      Modern dining area with wooden chairs and a white table holding a plant and books. Large window reveals a lush garden view outside.
      Credit:  Sher + White Architects / Chris Taylor Photography​

      The good news: there is a safer alternative​


      Not all slim sliding doors come with that risk. theEDGE2.0 IDSystems’ multi award-winning system combines narrow 20mm sightlines but is designed differently - the glass is still removable thanks to deeper outer frames and traditional glazing beads. That means if the glass ever needs replacing, it can be done easily and affordably, without damaging the frame or needing to take up patio slabs or your lovely kitchen floor to access the track. 


      Want to learn more?​


      Find out more about the risks of bonded glass sliding doors at idsystems.co.uk/bonded-glass-what-you-need-to-know/

      Acoustic Balcony Glazing For Inner City High Rises

        Rethinking urban living: The role of acoustic balcony glazing in inner-city high-rise living


        Cities in the UK are becoming taller and noisier. Between 2011 and 2021, the number of households living in a flat, maisonette or apartment increased by 21% to 5.4 million.​1 In London, over half of the homes built since 2002 are in high-rise buildings.​2 

         

        Modern high-rise building with blue glass windows and white facade, framed by green trees under a clear blue sky. No text visible.

        While high-rise living may address housing shortages, the quality of life for residents is often impacted by issues such as noise, limited outdoor space and overheating. Architects and specifiers must therefore rethink urban home design to deliver comfort, usability and compliance with building regulations. Solarlux acoustic balcony glazing, for example, offers noise reduction with natural ventilation and solar control glass. Our highly engineered glazing systems maintain openness, daylight and aesthetics, while enhancing comfort and wellbeing in dense urban environments. By redesigning and redefining the role of glazed balconies, Solarlux is leading the way for healthier, more comfortable and sustainable inner-city homes. 

          

        The challenge of urban acoustics


        Noise isn’t just an inconvenience; it has measurable impacts on health and wellbeing. Sleep disturbances, cognitive impairment and effects on cardiovascular and metabolic health are all linked to prolonged exposure to noise.​3 

         

        Urban noise comes from many sources. Road, rail and air traffic can be major contributors, along with industrial activity, construction, nightlife, neighbours, home appliances and HVAC equipment. “Despite the increase in quiet-running electric vehicles and urban planning to reduce noise levels, the public perception is that cities are getting noisier,” explains Jeevan Matharu, marketing manager at Solarlux. Nearly two-thirds of Britons living in cities believe their hearing is worse due to noise, and over half believe their environment has become louder in the past five years.​4 


        A 2023 House of Lords report highlighted that around 40% of the UK population is exposed to harmful levels of road traffic noise, resulting in a reduction in healthy life years. “These statistics demonstrate the importance of acoustic insulation when planning high-rise homes,” Matharu explains. “With careful planning and the strategic use of architectural features such as balconies and glazing, architects and designers can create acoustically comfortable urban residences,” she adds. 

          

        Acoustic balcony glazing and noise reduction in high-rise flats


        Urban noise can restrict the use of balconies and indoor spaces. When balconies and windows are located near sources of noise, they may go underused, reducing fresh air ventilation and residents’ connection with the outdoors.


        Modern building with glass balconies and white, black panels set against a clear blue sky with a small cloud, creating a sleek look.

        Justin Spires, technical lead at Solarlux, explains how their glazed balconies help address urban noise: “Our high-rise balcony glazing and suspended balcony facades are designed to combat noise  pollution effectively. The high degree of prefabrication ensures precise assembly, tight seals and  consistent quality, allowing these balconies to create quiet, comfortable outdoor spaces, even in the busiest or loudest city environments.” He also notes that glazed balconies can reduce interior noise levels: “The balcony space can serve as a buffer, reducing the transmission of sound into the home and enhancing the acoustic comfort of interior spaces.” 

         

        At the Skytower development in Stuttgart, Germany, noise reduction was a key concern for the building owners. Positioned above busy urban streets, the high-rise apartments required glazed balconies that would provide weather protection while allowing residents to fully utilise the indoor/outdoor space without the constant intrusion of traffic and city noise. The Solarlux SL 25 frameless slide-and-turn system was chosen for the project, due to its flexibility, acoustic performance and aesthetics. The frameless design provided transparent weather protection, preserving daylighting and the open-air feel of the balconies, while also reducing noise from outside. The result is an outdoor space that can be enjoyed year-round, along with quieter, more comfortable interiors that support healthier high-rise living. 

         

        Overcoming overheating


        While we may be focusing on noise, we can’t overlook the challenge of overheating and its relationship to high-rise balcony glazing. While large amounts of glazing have been used in high-rise flats to give residents a sense of space and openness, summer heatwaves are on the rise, and the solar gain from those swathes of glass is making some properties uncomfortable for days or weeks at a time. Research from the Met Office shows that the number of days with temperatures above 30°C has more than tripled in the last decade, and that trend is expected to continue.​5  


        Modern high-rise building with a grid pattern of windows. Sunlight reflects off glass against a clear blue sky, conveying a sleek urban vibe.

         

        High-rise apartments, particularly those with south- and west-facing elevations, are especially vulnerable to overheating. Matharu explains: “The growing risk of overheating in homes prompted the introduction of Approved Document O (Overheating) and revisions to Approved Document F (Ventilation) in June 2022, placing greater emphasis on passive cooling measures, controlled solar gain and natural ventilation.”


        Approved Document O recognises that noise and pollution can limit the use of open windows in dense urban areas, so carefully designed glazing and balcony systems are critical for ensuring both comfort and compliance. “At Solarlux, we can address these challenges through a combination of ventilated balcony systems and advanced glass treatments,” she adds. “Moveable panels and integrated ventilation allow for controlled airflow, enabling passive cooling without compromising acoustic protection. In addition, solar-control or low-emissivity (low-E) glass can be specified to reduce solar gain by reflecting or absorbing a portion of the incoming heat while maintaining natural daylight and views,” she explains. 

          

        Specifying acoustic balcony glazing


        For architects and specifiers, acoustic balcony glazing can help shape the quality of urban living.  Effective specification of inner-city glazing solutions requires balancing sound reduction with weather resistance, thermal comfort, ventilation and aesthetics. Spires points out that “Solarlux noise-reducing balcony systems can reduce intrusive city noise by 20–30 dB.” With a typical city street measuring around 70–75 dB, this level of sound reduction reduces the noise level from outside to 40–45 dB – roughly the volume of a quiet conversation. “The acoustic performance of our glazed balconies has been verified with independent laboratory testing in accordance with BS EN ISO 10140-2 and BS EN ISO 717-1,” he adds.


        Solarlux glazed balcony systems also support thermal comfort, passive ventilation and solar control in line with Approved Documents L, F and O. We offer bespoke options for glazing types, opening mechanisms and integration into balcony structures, with units that can be prefabricated or assembled on-site.This flexibility helps support compliance, enhances comfort and demonstrates how acoustic balcony glazing can create more desirable inner-city homes. For more information about our high-rise acoustic solutions, contact Solarlux for specification guidance or a CPD. https://solarlux.com/en


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