Sydney Road

A new residential development in Watford bringing forward 278 homes, is setting a benchmark for sustainable construction in the UK, becoming the first project in the UK to install Pilkington Mirai™, the lowest carbon alternative to Pilkington UK’s standard glass.

Pilkington United Kingdom Limited part of the NSG Group, provided Pilkington Mirai Suncool™ 70/35 for the 1 Sydney Road scheme, developed by Signia. The project, which includes residential apartments along with amenity spaces, marks the debut of Pilkington Mirai™ in a UK residential setting.

Pioneered using a combination of alternative fuel, high recycled glass content, and green electricity sources, Pilkington Mirai™ has 52% less embodied carbon when compared to Pilkington UK’s Pilkington Optifloat™ Clear glass, without compromising on performance, quality, or aesthetic appearance.

Glass unit manufacturer Crystal Units and window fabricator Prime Glaze partnered to deliver 4,500 m² of 6 mm Pilkington Mirai Suncool™ 70/35 to the scheme. This installation forms part of a wider regeneration programme aiming to create high-quality, environmentally responsible housing in Watford.

By incorporating a high-performance Pilkington Suncool™ 70/35 coating to the glazing residents can enjoy multiple benefits. With advanced solar control and low emissivity properties, the glass allows high levels of natural daylight into the homes while reflecting solar heat, preventing overheating in warmer months and improving thermal insulation in colder ones. This translates into reduced reliance on artificial heating and cooling, supporting lower energy costs and increased comfort.

Bhavin Halai, Managing Director at Prime Glaze said: “By incorporating the lowest embodied carbon alternative to regular float glass on the market, we’re not only enhancing the sustainability of the Watford regeneration but also setting a new standard for future developments.

“As the industry continues to evolve, products like Pilkington Mirai™ will be crucial in driving environmentally friendly development practices and demonstrating how the built environment can make the move towards decarbonisation without compromising on the quality of materials.”

Arne De Ceapog, Specification Manager at Pilkington UK said: “We’re excited to debut Pilkington Mirai™ at 1 Sydney Road, not only because it provides much needed affordable housing and community spaces but also recognises the importance of considering sustainability.

“Pilkington Mirai™ represents a significant step forward in the glass industry’s efforts to decarbonise the entire built environment. This project is a great example of how we’re helping developers and asset owners move closer to meeting the 2030 and 2050 carbon reduction targets.”

Phil Hallworth, Technical & Sales Director at Crystal Units said: “This project sets a strong precedent for future developments that aim to balance environmental responsibility with the need for high-performance building materials.

“Our commitment to innovation with solutions like Pilkington Mirai Suncool™ 70/35 demonstrates our dedication to reducing environmental impact while delivering high-quality glazing solutions.”