The Whitworth Gallery

saint gobain logo

The Building

Nestled within the serene Whitworth Park and proudly affiliated with the esteemed University of Manchester, The Whitworth stands as a distinguished art gallery, boasting an impressive collection of approximately 55,000 pieces.

The £15 million development was awarded Building of the Year prize in the RIBA North West Regional Awards and RIBA National Award. The Whitworth has notable collections of watercolours, sculptures, wallpapers and textiles. The gallery focuses on modern artists, and the art collections include works by Henry Moore, Barbara Hepworth, Ford Madox Brown, Eduardo Paolozzi, Francis Bacon, William Blake, David Hockney, L.S. Lowry, Paul Gauguin, Vincent van Gogh and Pablo Picasso, and a fine collection of works by J.M.W. Turner.

The Glass

The use of Stadip and Cool-Lite coated glass is vital to ensure the indoor space does not overheat due to huge expanses of glass. The special coating on Cool-Lite solar control glass is designed to mirror and absorb heat, along with filtering light for decreased glare. This reduces the heat entering a building and minimises the need for air conditioning and blinds. Solar control glass also helps protect art from damage caused by solar radiation. Meanwhile, laminated safety and security glass, such as Stadip, consists of two or more sheets of glass bonded together with interlayers of polyvinyl butyral (PVB) film. This type of glass can help safeguard against break-in attempts or vandalism by delaying, or even preventing, penetration through the glass in the event of forced entry or damage.

Saint-Gobain Products that were used in this renovation

cool-lite® xtreme 70/33 ii with bioclean® ii

COOL-LITE® XTREME 70/33 II with BIOCLEAN® II

COOL-LITE® XTREME 70/33 with BIOCLEAN® II combines solar control, thermal insulation and a low-maintenance self-cleaning coating in a single glazing solution. Designed for roof glazing applications, it helps reduce overheating while maintaining high levels of natural daylight and providing thermal insulation in colder weather.
View Product
planitherm® neo

PLANITHERM® NEO

PLANITHERM® NEO is the most advanced thermal insulation glass within the PLANITHERM® family. It can be used in double-glazed and triple-glazed applications, as it combines thermal performance with optical quality and sustainability credentials.
View Product
patterned and privacy glass

VISIOSUN

Featuring a reeded glass effect, VISIOSUN by Saint-Gobain Glass is suited for architectural and interior projects.
View Product
saint-gobain glass

TIMELESS

TIMELESS anti-corrosion glass can help maintain the transparency of your glass shower enclosures and bath screens.
View Product
fire glass

FIRE GLASS

Fire resistant glass products are essential in helping to achieve safe living and working environments. At Glassolutions, we provide a wide range of fire resistant glass options.
View Product
mirrors

MIRALITE® EASYSAFE

MIRALITE® EASYSAFE features a shatterproof resin backing that retains 98% of glass splinters if it breaks, helping to ensure safety.
View Product
miralite® pure

MIRALITE® PURE

MIRALITE PURE is manufactured using 30% recycled glass and uses water-based rather than chemical solvents. It is lead and solvent-free glass mirror which helps minimise the release of VOCs
View Product
lush liverpool 007

PATTERNED AND PRIVACY GLASS

The Saint-Gobain Glass range of patterned, textured and translucent glass can help to create bright and stylish spaces in locations where light and privacy is required.
View Range
saint-gobain glass

BIOCLEAN®

BIOCLEAN® coated glass uses sunlight and rain to help keep your windows cleaner for longer. It can be installed in hard-to-reach glazed areas, such as roofs, sky lights and lanterns.
View Range
miralite® antique and miralite® versailles

ANTIQUE MIRROR AND VERSAILLES MIRROR

A vintage style mirror can bring classic sophistication to a space. MIRALITE® ANTIQUE and MIRALITE® VERSAILLES can be used throughout the home, in the living room, dining room, bedroom or hallway, and are also widely used in commercial buildings such as hotels, restaurants, theatres and bars.
View Product

Other case studies you might like

sternfenster

Glass Forever – Sternfenster: Transforming Waste Recycling

Based in Lincoln, Sternfenster is a family-owned company specialising in the manufacture and installation of PVCu and aluminium doors, windows, and conservatories. Sustainability lies at the heart of operations for Sternfenster, evident through initiatives such as a fully electric vehicle fleet for the sales team and the installation of solar panels at their cutting-edge 110,000-square-foot factory. These panels contribute to 30% of the factory’s electricity usage, positively contributing to the company’s carbon emissions targets.

10 spring gardens

Glass Forever – McLaren Construction Group: 10 Spring Gardens

Established in 1999, McLaren is a privately owned business that is seeing consistent, year-on-year growth. Its diverse portfolio includes hotels, offices, mixed-used developments, residential communities, retail spaces, educational institutions, logistics…
one city park bradford 033
one city park bradford 003
one city park bradford 005
one city park bradford 014
one city park bradford 022
one city park bradford 031
one city park bradford 033

One City Park Bradford

Situated on the former grounds of Tyrls Police Station, One City Park stands as a prime illustration of contemporary architectural excellence. Encompassing 56,403 sq ft (5,240 sq m) NIA of Grade A office space, it also exemplifies Bradford’s urban ascent. With its designation as the 2025 City of Culture, Bradford’s rich history and diverse demographic make it an enticing destination for businesses. This recognition highlights the city’s dedication to cultivating a lively arts community, fostering creativity, and driving innovation. These factors further enhance the attractiveness of One City Park as a hub of appeal.