Island Gateway is Ferry, Ferry Nice

A new ferry terminal, created as a tourism and community gateway to the Isle of Arran, has been fitted from stem to stern with products supplied by GEZE UK.

The stunning development is part of a £30 million investment intended to upgrade the harbour, make it fit for 21st century travel and enhance passenger experience.

The terminal, designed by architects, Norr of Glasgow, is ship-shaped – following the traditional lines of a sea bearing vessel and is clad in sandstone. It proudly sits near the water’s edge and is filled with natural light that pours through a wall of windows fitted to the ‘stern’ of its west elevation which are operated by 30 GEZE Slimchain drives.

They provide the light and spacious feel to the building’s main entrance which opens out into a reception area. The Slimchain drives a natural ventilation system facilitated by a GEZE MBZ 300 two-zone control panel, which is integrated into the terminal’s building management system (BMS).

These have been placed throughout the two-storey building including in the departure lounge, alongside the GEZE Powerchain drives on the upper vents that were chosen to operate the larger windows. The lounge benefits from a double-height room with stunning views across Brodick Bay.

Stairwells were also fitted with Slimchain drives alongside GEZE OL Line manual opening systems to enable natural smoke and heat ventilation if required, and to give additional natural ventilation.

Beneath the glazed western elevation are two automatic swing doors to either side. These are powered by GEZE Slimdrive EMD-F operators - electro-mechanical drives that are extremely versatile, providing easy access for those with mobility issues. They provide power assisted opening and can be initiated using the operating button with guaranteed constant opening and closing speed.

At just 7cm high, the Slimdrive EMD-F operators are extremely discreet and sit neatly on the door frame. They offer a low-wear, hi-performance system which is exceptionally quiet in operation.

A further Slimdrive EMD-f was fitted to one of the side elevations of the building.

From the main entrance, accessed by its pass doors, a glazed corridor leads to a bi-parting sliding door powered by a GEZE Slimdrive SL NT operator, which leads into the foyer of the main reception area.

With a height of just 7cm – Slimdrive SL NTs are almost invisible, virtually silent in operation and can move leaf weights of up to 125kg. They are ideal for buildings with high levels of footfall and a continuous flow of people heading in and out of the building.

GEZE UK worked closely with CMS Enviro Systems which installed the products for the project.

Asset owners – Caledonian Maritime Assets Limited (CMAL) – together with Transport Scotland, North Ayrshire Council, Strathclyde Partnership for Transport and the Coastal Communities Fund, invested to upgrade the facility. The previous infrastructure was constructed in the early 1970s and had reached the end of its serviceable life. The new facilities will accommodate growing numbers of car and passenger traffic travelling to the island.

The redevelopment includes a longer and deeper, two-berth pier and airport-style gangway – safer for passengers boarding and disembarking vessels. Land has been reclaimed to provide improved parking and traffic marshalling areas.

The terminal itself incorporates 1328 sq metres of space and has capacity for 400 passengers.

Andy Howland, GEZE UK’s director of sales and marketing, said: 

“This was a fascinating project with which to be involved. Many GEZE products were used throughout the build and much thought was given from the outset to making this an intelligent functional building geared up for the future, whilst embracing the natural environment in which it sits.”

For more information about GEZE UK’s comprehensive range of automatic and manual door closers call 01543 443000 or visit www.geze.co.uk

Why not Sign-up to Receive these Articles by Email each Day on our newsfeed site

Scroll down to read more articles like this which have been published recently on this blog

You can also read additional current and archived articles on our dedicated magazine website

Low Cost and Free Publicity - Your company can easily benefit from some publicity like this in return for a contribution towards our layout costs (£55 to £75 plus VAT), payable in advance via PayPal or credit card or receive the service absolutely free of charge if you advertise (see below).

We post articles up to twice a day and never delete them - we only archive them each year so that they continue to remain visible to search engines.

To have your story published - just send us your news item, logo and image(s) and we will review the material, make any necessary changes to the wording / wordcount and then advise you when it will be published.

If you are a regular advertiser placing series bookings or subscribing to our VIP Packages in our printed and online publications, you will qualify for a specific number of free postings on this blog while you continue to advertise with us.

Also, if you purchase one of our Online and Print Combo packages, Featured Articles or Advertorial packages, posting on this blog is included in the price.

For details and rates for all of our advertising options in print and online, download our media pack contact us or visit our website.

Door Industry Journal is a trading style of Avalon Innovations LLP Company Registration No. 06807833

Return to The Door Industry Journal Website