Ty Krishna Temple – Religious Building Façade Project

Project Overview

Ty Krishna Temple in Cardiff Bay is a purpose-built religious facility designed to provide a modern place of worship and community space. Delivered for Henstaff Construction, the project required a façade solution that balanced architectural expression with strict performance, accessibility and fire safety requirements.

Advanced Glass was appointed to deliver the glazing systems and later expanded its scope to include additional façade elements, helping to stabilise programme delivery when other packages experienced delays.

Scope of Works

The façade package incorporated Technal TENTAL 50 curtain walling alongside FZ open-in aluminium windows and STII commercial doors. Passivent electronically controlled louvres were installed to provide controlled ventilation, while brise soleil elements were integrated to manage solar shading.

The project also included bespoke canopy cladding and pressed metal cassette rainscreen cladding systems. Decorative laser-cut feature panels were incorporated within sections of the curtain walling to deliver the architectural identity requested by the client.

Fire-rated curtain wall screens, windows and doors achieving EI60 performance were installed throughout key areas of the building envelope. Fire stopping measures were integrated across the façade to support overall compartmentation strategy.

Partway through the project, Advanced Glass was also asked to assume responsibility for the rainscreen cladding package after the original subcontractor failed to meet programme requirements.

Design and Technical Challenges

Several technical challenges emerged during the design phase. The curtain walling was facetted on plan, requiring careful detailing to ensure structural integrity and visual consistency.

The laser-cut feature panels introduced complex fixing requirements, demanding precise coordination between structural framing and façade elements. In addition, integrating the newly adopted cladding package introduced challenging interfaces between the rainscreen system, curtain walling and canopy elements.

These issues were addressed through extensive design development and regular coordination meetings with the project team. Detailed interface design ensured that the façade maintained performance integrity across all systems.

Installation and Programme

Site logistics presented additional challenges due to limited laydown space, requiring just-in-time deliveries to maintain efficient installation.

The overall project programme experienced significant disruption when the steel frame contractor entered administration early in the build, delaying progress by nearly three months. A further delay occurred when the original cladding subcontractor failed to meet deadlines, adding approximately another three months to the programme.

A team of six Advanced Glass operatives carried out the façade installation works. By assuming responsibility for the cladding package, Advanced Glass was able to simplify coordination and manage key façade interfaces directly, helping to stabilise delivery.

Performance and Compliance

The façade systems were designed to achieve a target thermal performance of 1.2 W/m²K.

Fire performance was a critical component of the design, with EI60 fire-rated glazing systems installed across curtain wall screens and door sets. Ground floor doors were specified to achieve PAS 24 security performance, while glazing in these areas met RC2 resistance classification.

Accessibility requirements were also considered, with elements of the design aligned to Approved Document M.

Outcome and Client Feedback

Despite significant programme challenges affecting other parts of the project, the façade installation was delivered successfully and to a high standard. The completed building achieved all required performance criteria while delivering the distinctive architectural features requested by the client.

The client expressed strong appreciation for the support provided by the Advanced Glass team, particularly in relation to stepping in to deliver the rainscreen cladding package and ensuring the façade remained compliant and coordinated.

Ty Krishna Temple demonstrates Advanced Glass’ ability to manage complex façade packages, resolve challenging interfaces and maintain project momentum even when programme pressures arise.

What next?

From luxury restaurants to hotels, city centre offices, heritage buildings, and rural schools, Advanced Glass delivers tailored curtain walling and glazing solutions to meet the demanding performance and aesthetic needs of our clients and their customers.

To discuss this project or to discover how we can help you, please contact one of our experienced team members today by calling 01455 856028, or [click here] to send us a message.