Firm shortlisted for national award for glazing new development
IMPRESSIVE. The glass exterior of Monocle
By Rick Lyon, Co-Editor
Hull-based glazing specialist EYG has been shortlisted for a national industry award for its work helping transform one of the city’s most prominent buildings.
The glazing installation on the curved façade of Allenby Commercial’s Monocle development by EYG Commercial – a specialist division of EYG which works on large scale commercial projects – had left judges at the 2026 Glass & Glazing Products Installer Awards suitably impressed.
It has seen the business – established in Hull for more than 50 years – named a finalist in the category for the UK’s best installation on a commercial single building.
As the leading UK awards event for the window, door and glass industry, they celebrate and recognise excellence nationwide, covering a wide range of projects and products, from home extensions to heritage installations and commercial developments.
In the category of best installation on a single commercial building, judges were looking for examples of projects which not only looked impressive when completed but demonstrated the ability of businesses to overcome unusual challenges and comply with the highest industry standards.
PROMINENT: Allenby Commercial’s Monocle development, in Hull city centre
“To be shortlisted for the best commercial glazing installation in the UK last year on an individual building is a fantastic accolade when you think of the thousands of projects which will have been completed,” said Richard Saunders, sales and estimating director at EYG Commercial.
“When we were first awarded this contract by Allenby Commercial – another Hull firm – we knew it was a project on which we could demonstrate our industry leading knowledge, products and skills.
“It now stands as very visible example of our work, in our home city, and we are exceptionally proud of how we planned and managed the installation, and how it looks.”
EYG used a high-performance curtain walling system from suppliers AluK to create the impressive façade, which not only enhanced the aesthetics of the building, but also provided the functionality and performance levels required to ensure the glazing installation exceeded current standards.
Mr Saunders said: “The age of the building was a major challenge in itself, as we found new issues which needed overcoming once the old glazing was stripped out. This included each floor previously having a small internal wall below the glazing which needed removing, and then we found the floors were not level.
CHALLENGING: EYG Commercial using a glazing robot to install the huge windows
“This had to be taken into consideration, alongside the curved nature of the building, which meant the surveying and planning of installation had to be extremely precise.
“There were also many logistical challenges. The sheer size and weight of the 400 1m x2.6m glazed units meant they had to be lifted by crane to each floor, and then individually fitted, one at a time, from the outside, as the curtain walling sections were too small to fit them conventionally from the inside.
“With limited space outside due to scaffolding, each glazing unit had to be picked up by a specialist glazing robot from inside the building, lifted through the widow spacing at an angle and then pulled back into the glazing rebate and fitted.”
Also highlighted as part of EYG’s work was how the project replaced single glazing with high-performance double-glazed units, each laminated in a neutral solar control finish to provide excellent solar protection, while reducing the need for artificial light inside.
It was also highlighted to judges how each glazing panel was heat-soaked toughened to add extra strength and reliability, with the window frames manufactured to help reduce heat transfer, prevent condensation and create a more effective insulating barrier.
LANDMARK: A drone image of Moncole under development
In total, more than 66,000kg of glass was installed, all complying to barrier-loading regulations to ensure the safety of all using the building, with firestopping products also installed between the flooring and façade to prevent the vertical spread of fire, smoke and heat.
“This really has been a job where we have been able to demonstrate our 55 years of experience and expertise as a business,” added Mr Saunders.
“It’s a great testament to our team, our products, and our partners to be shortlisted for this award. Hopefully we’ll see a Hull company walk away with the prize for best UK glazing installation, on a Hull building. That would be special.”
Monocle, formerly Europa House, is a five-story office complex which provides new modern workspaces, offering everything from small studios to large company headquarters.
As well as having space for up to 700 workers, it is also now home to a new coffee house – Daze – which is open to the public.