'Amazing Space' for Aspect
What began life as an everyday shipping container has ended up as an innovative office and showroom thanks to an Aspect bi-fold door and Eurologik windows from Eurocell.
The transformation into ‘Reetainer’, an extra-ordinary work space that brings the outside in, has been featured on architect George Clarke’s new Channel 4 programme ‘Amazing Spaces’.
The Reetainer showroom and office is the brainchild of product designer Max McMurdo, who appeared on BBC’s Dragon’s Den and secured investment from Deborah Meaden and Theo Paphitis. The Dragons invested in his company Reestore, which ‘upcycles’ everyday objects such as old baths and transforms them into cutting-edge furniture designs.
Aspect was specified for Reetainer by Max because he liked its ultra slim frames and the fact it eliminates the need for a dummy mullion, which maximises the area of glass, allowing light to flood in – exactly what you need if your new office or showroom had previously been a shipping container!
“Introducing natural light was vital in creating an inspirational, bright work space and the Aspect bi-fold doors and Eurologik windows allowed me to achieve my vision. The doors and windows have a beautiful finish and also meet my commitment to sustainability, as Eurocell recycles end-of-life PVC-U frames into new products.”
Max McMurdo
Owner of Reestore
At 20ft long, 11ft wide and 8ft high (6m x 3.5m x 2.5m), Reetainer now provides an affordable and inspiring work space for Max, whilst avoiding the need for planning permission due to its size and location.
The 3.5m Aspect bi-fold door and three floor-to-ceiling Eurologik windows in Grey were supplied and installed by Eurocell fabricator ATT Fabrications.
Reetainer now acts as a showroom for Reestore’s other ‘upcycled’ products, including an aeroplane wing desk, shopping trolley chairs, car engine table and a desk which has been upcycled from material cut from the container’s window apertures.
Max McMurdo said: “Introducing natural light was vital in creating an inspirational, bright work space and the Aspect bi-fold doors and Eurologik windows allowed me to achieve my vision. The doors and windows have a beautiful finish and also meet my commitment to sustainability, as Eurocell recycles end-of-life PVC-U frames into new products.”
As well as transforming the container into a liveable space, the double-glazed Aspect doors improve its energy efficiency. This is because it lacked any form of insulation, which meant that Aspect’s double glazed U value of up to 1.3Wm./K immediately improved its thermal performance, as did fitting the Eurologik windows and insulation to the internal walls. Aspect is also available triple glazed with a U-value of 0.9Wm./K.
Aspect is available in a choice of 11 frame colours to suit every style of property, including Black Ash and Grey for contemporary aesthetics. Hardware colours are White, Black, Satin Silver, Silver Grey and Champagne. Aspect is suitable for a maximum opening of up to 6m wide x 2.3m high.
The customised containers will be offered for sale via www.reetainer.com and prices start from £4,995. Reetainer has already sparked interest from the education sector, with two 20ft containers currently undergoing transformation to create an eco-classroom for Sandye Place Academy. It features an Aspect bi-fold door and six Eurologik windows.
Chris Coxon, Head of Marketing at Eurocell, said: “Our Aspect bi-fold door has been used on wide variety of properties from starter homes through to detached residences. However, this has to be the most unusual installation and just goes to show that it has universal appeal.”
The Eurocell Aspect bi-fold door system has just gained BBA-approval and meets both BS6375 and BS: PAS24, the British Standard for enhanced security performance of door assemblies, along with PAS23 general performance and weather tightness.
The uniquely customised shipping container was featured on architect George Clarke’s latest series, ‘Amazing Spaces’ at 8pm and is also covered on www.georgeclarke.com and www.reetainer.com