Wicona provides innovative structural glazing solution

WICONA, the specialist manufacturer of glazing and glass curtain walling, has worked with specialist contractor GLASSOLUTIONS to deliver the glazing and facades package for One Bedford Avenue, a flagship mixed use development in Central London.

The 115,000 sq ft mixed-use office and retail development at One Bedford Avenue replaces two outdated office buildings on the corner of London’s Tottenham Court Road. The design concept for the building from Bennetts Associates was to create versatile, energy efficient spaces that would maximise natural light throughout the seven-storey building and provide the best possible views of the surrounding area.

To help achieve these requirements WICONA’s WICTEC 50 Stick build curtain wall was selected. The design of the system allowed spectacular floor to ceiling glazing to be achieved and the extra narrow 50mm profiles further minimised interruptions to the views from the building. In addition, access to the building’s upper floor terraces is provided by WICONA WICSTYLE 65 doors. The versatile product, which features a flush leaf design, was specified to replicate the aesthetics and integrate with the curtain walling.

Working with both main contractor Mace and GLASSOLUTIONS, a semi-bespoke window system was also created using WICONA WICLINE 75 with window profiles designed specifically to meet the aesthetic and structural requirements of the development.

The exceptional thermal and air-tightness performance of the windows, doors and curtain walling was also an important factor in achieving the energy efficiency targets for the building. Both the WICSTYLE doors and WICLINE windows feature multi-chamber thermal insulation systems that help the building to meet the required U-values.

The location of the development in a busy part of London and a site perimeter similar in size to the building’s footprint meant that external access was extremely limited. To overcome these challenges, the GLASSOLUTIONS project team developed an innovative sliding track system to move the glass units into place to be installed from inside the building. As well as removing the need for floor cranes, this method allowed the installation team to remain safely behind perimeter protection at all times whilst also freeing up the floor slab for other trades to operate safely.

“The installation was a huge success and everyone involved should be very proud of the finished building,” said John Foster, Commercial Director of Glassolutions’ Contracting division. “With the exterior glazing and curtain walling being such a key part of the architect’s vision for this spectacular development it was essential to select the right products to achieve both the required aesthetics and performance.”

Graham Hurrell, WICONA Director of Specification Sales, added: “The complex requirements of the One Bedford Avenue meant that a close partnership between WICONA, GLASSOLUTIONS and Mace was vital to complete the project on schedule and to the highest levels of quality while meeting the challenges that the site presented.”

To find out more about the WICONA range visit www.WICONA.com/en/uk/