We engaged CFS to supply the thermal breaks for our precast concrete balconies on Lombard Wharf, as we needed a collaborative approach to ensure that the sequencing and onsite works were smooth and timely for us to remain on programme. We knew that we could rely on CFS in that regard.
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Lombard Wharf balcony project
Designed by Patel Taylor, the residential tower in Battersea has an impressive silhouette. The original design focuses on maximising the available provision of public space at the base of the building for pedestrian and cycle routes around the site as well as the need to maintain existing views of the river and the land. The building itself has become dominant on the Thames riverbank. Finished in 2017, the project was awarded several prizes, including Housebuilder Awards 2016 and What House Awards 2017.
The design itself presents a building that appears to twist as it rises, which was achieved with very subtle changes to the positioning of the white precast concrete balconies.
Products Used
Challenge
Our client, Techrete, was appointed to deliver the architectural precast concrete cladding for the facade from the design, manufacture to the delivery. Despite the varying form, there is a high degree of repetition in the precast forms, minimising formwork costs: the formwork ‘masters’ changed for each set-back but were repeated on each floor.
The outer profile is always consistent; the inner profile varies using a secondary former inserted into the main formwork shutter. The inner profile is lined with a thermal break connector (concrete-to-concrete) for connection to the reinforcement in the main structural slab. The balconies have a waterproof membrane on the upper surface and are overlaid with a composite decking system.
Given the balconies form the perimeter of the building, they required a reliable supplier who would be potentially able to support the balcony design.
Solution
Having worked with the Construction Fixing Systems previously on various projects, including the V&A Museum in Dundee, they approached CFS to provide a suitable solution for the thermal breaks.
The Thermokorb® system by AVI is a very flexible thermal break system that allows wide range of concrete-to-concrete balcony designs. As a partner, CFS has not only the capacity to supply large projects but also the expertise to support with the structural design of the thermal breaks. As they are assembled on their site at Medmenham, CFS is able to deliver the system within 3 weeks from design to delivery to the site for casting.
