The refurbishment of the Royal Arcade in Melbourne, Australia’s oldest remaining retail arcade and a popular tourist shopping venue, has included use of Pilkington Activ self-cleaning glass in the roof light of the central atrium.

‘Project developers were quick to see the potential of self-cleaning glass in an area that had previously been a maintenance ordeal’, the glass makers say.

Dating back to the Victorian era, the Royal Arcade retains most of its original features, making it one of Australia’s most visited retail outlets. The Arcade opened in 1870 and was originally renowned for its jewellers, florists and ‘fancy goods’ retailers as well as its Turkish baths and Russian clip joints.

The roof light in the main atrium of the Arcade had presented management with maintenance problems: dirt and grime were affecting the interior appearance of the Arcade.

Refurbishment of the Arcade began last year, and Pilkington Activ was selected as the solution to the problem.

‘The use of Activ glass in the replacement roof light has had a spectacular effect upon the interior of the Arcade’ the client said, ‘creating a self-maintaining, light-filled central boulevard.’

A solar control interlayer has also been included to reduce sun glare and heat, while a translucent finish masks from view a mechanical plant adjacent to the roof. violet light and rain.

Source

Glass Age