Regent’s Place, 338 Euston Rd, London NW1 3BT
Regent’s Place Headline Facts :
580 stone faced and reconstructed stone panels covering 6,100 square meters.
Contractor : Lendlease
Architect : Terry Farrell Architects
Material Finish: Recon. Acid Etched
Paternoster Square, London
Paternoster Square Headline Facts:
630 natural stone faced and reconstructed stone panels, covering 6,100 square meters.
Contractor : Bovis Lendlease
Architect : McCormack Jamieson Prichard
Pan Peninsula, Isle of Dogs, London
Pan Peninsula Headline Facts:
1,900 reconstructed stone panels, covering 18,000 square meters.
Contractor : Ballymore Properties LTD
Architect : Skidmore Owings and Merrill
Urbanest, Canal Reach, Kings Cross, London N1C 4BD
Urbanest, Kings Cross Headline Facts:
1,000 reconstructed stone panels, covering 8,000 square meters.
Contractor : Mansells (Balfour Beatty)
Architect : Glenn Howells
The Finer Details :
This 26 storey student accommodation dominates the Kings Cross skyline. Techrete designed, built and installed, 1,000 precast panels covering 8,000 sq m of the facade. The lower levels, in a dark acid etched grey, are complemented by the Portland look-a-like, with two varying depths of a grit blasted finish to the panels at the upper levels.
The installation of the precast took only 34 weeks. The overall construction time was reduced as the installation of the panels (using a telescopic crawler crane) allowed an earlier site start date, whilst the reinforced concrete frame was still under construction. The downgrading of cranage due to the proximity of the Channel Tunnel Railway Line (CTRL) on the northern boundary of the site was an added constraint for the project. A monorail was required for the installation of the panels on the north elevation immediately adjacent to the boundary fence of the CTRL. This was also undertaken whilst the frame was being constructed above.
2 Pancras Square, Kings Cross, London N1C 4AG
2 Pancras Square Headline Facts:
427 reconstructed stone panels, covering 5,907 units.
Contractor : BAM
Architect : Allies & Morrison
The Finer Details :
This 11 storey, 130,000 sq ft office building was designed by Allies & Morrison. The design of the architectural precast cladding gives it an interesting rhythm. As the building rises, the precast mullion sections reduce in width but deepen in depth. This was achieved by specially designed adaptable moulds. The curtain walling / glazing was prefixed to the frame, above level 2, in advance of the cladding. A delicate installation operation ensued and the fixing system had to be adjusted to the depth of the reveals. In order to increase the speed of erection, reduce cost and improve general efficiency, some of the panels were 2 storey high “F” panels. This allowed for a rapid rate of enclosure to be achieved.
The immediate impression of this building is of mullions and spandrels but a keen eye can see upon closer inspection that the mullions actually decrease in width towards the top of the building and the windows at these levels are set back further to create deeper reveals and create greater solar shading. The key to the manufacture of this was mould adaptability. To ensure minimal staining from rainwater on the face of the building, the spandrels were designed to guide the water towards a vertical drainage system in the mullions, which keeps the water off the face of the building.
The concrete mix contains some Spanish Dolomite aggregate which adds a sparkle to the façade. The uppermost level has an unusual feature of a winter garden. This comprises of 3 storey high colonnades with free standing cantilever structures. This is a very uncommon feature and structural modelling was utilised in the design process. Due to the size of the panels, some challenges were encountered during the installation process. Prior to installation these panels (10m in length) had to be rotated with the use of the tower crane and then hoisted into position.
1 Pancras Square, Kings Cross, London N1C 4AG
1 Pancras Square, Kings Cross Headline Facts:
1,065 reconstructed stone and cast iron column panels covering 3,586 square meters.
Contractor : BAM
Architect : David Chipperfield
The Finer Details :
Techrete were engaged in 2012 to supply and erect the external façade of this 55,000 sq m office building. In addition to supplying the precast cladding panels, balconies and GRC soffits, Techrete were also engaged to design, coordinate and erect the cast iron columns, due to the proximity and interface with the cladding. These were manufactured by Hargreaves at their facility in Halifax, West Yorkshire and were then transported on specially adapted trailer frames and were subsequently painted and erected by Techrete.
The precast cladding and other features were to be erected outboard of the completed curtain wall cladding and this presented handling challenges and also required a bespoke fixing system. Due to its proximity to the rail lines, Techrete had to contend with a downgrading of all craneage by 25%. The windows were pre-installed and external access for this installation was via MEWPs. Above level 6 mast climbers were used.
The GRC soffits were up to 2.8m wide and specially adapted trailers, frames and lifting equipment were used to assist site handling of the panels in under-slung areas which were not accessible by the tower crane. Trial lifts were carried out at the factory, prior to delivery to site. A tower crane was used for the majority of the installation with the exception of the balconies which, due to their weight, were hoisted by a mobile crane. To ensure the uniformity of finish Techrete undertook to construct the paving and steps beneath the colonnade.
The reconstituted stone mix chosen was to complement the adjacent building B4 (Two Pancras Square) and a warm acid etched finish was used to achieve this intent.
Fitzroy Place, Mortimer St, Fitzrovia, London W1T 3PW
Fitzroy Place Headline Facts:
1,187 brick-faced, natural stone and reconstructed stone panels, covering 10,176 square meters.
Contractor: Sir Robert McAlpine
Architect : Sheppard Robson
Cross Harbour, Isle of Dogs, London E14 9QD
Cross Harbour Headline Facts:
500 reconstructed stone panels, covering 5,000 square meters.
Contractor : Ballymore
Architect: Fosters and Partners
Burntwood Lane, London SW17 0AQ
Burntwood School Headline Facts:
660 reconstructed stone panels, covering 8,581 square meters.
Contractor : Lendlease
Architect : Allford Hall Monaghan Morris
Watch Installation Video here:
Video credit : AHMM
Watch Manufacturing Video here:
Video Credit : AHMM
Blackfriar’s Road, London
Blackfriar’s Road Headline Facts:
600 reconstructed stone panels, covering 5,600 square meters.
Contractor : McAleer & Rushe
Architect : Consarc
Athlete’s Village No. 15, 20 Victory Parade, East Village, London E15 2ER
Athlete’s Village No. 15 Headline Facts :
1,426 reconstructed stone panels, covering 13,651 square meters.
Contractor : Lendlease
Architects : Glenn Howells & Niall McLoughlin
Athlete’s Village No.7, 20 Victory Parade, East Village, London E15 2ER
Athlete’s Village No. 7 Headline Facts :
1,438 brick faced and reconstructed stone panels, covering 15,804 square meters.
Contractor : Lendlease
Architect : Glenn Howells & Panter Hudspith
Athlete’s Village No. 1, 20 Victory Parade, East Village, London E15 2ER
Athlete’s Village No. 1 Headline Facts :
770 reconstructed stone panels, covering 7,400 square meters.
Contractor : Lendlease
Architect : Denton Corker Marshall
Arsenal Stadium, Hornsey Rd, London N7 7AJ
Arsenal Lettering Headline Facts :
7 panels covering 150 square meters.
Contractor : Sir Robert McAlpine
Architect : HOK Sport