sCHöCk isokorb
Meets CoMPlex berlin
ProjeCt deMands
Affordable living space is a scarce resource in Berlin and helping
to resolve the problem is a contemporary inner-city housing
complex, Paragon Apartments. The project centres on the historic
and now disused Prenzlauer Berg Hospital building in the Pankow
District. Two new upper storeys have been added to the original
building, three further existing buildings modified and there are
two new structures. The ‘cube theme’ design comprises 217
high specification apartments – ranging from compact studios to
rooftop duplexes – plus a kindergarten, a café and a supermarket.
All are designed as a three-dimensional façade, with terraces and
a shifting stacked balcony pattern.
a complex structural design
Two additional isokorb types
In addition to the type KXT, the Isokorb types EXT and KS are
also incorported. The EXT normally complements the type KXT
in bearing high loads involving cantilevered external corner
balconies – but on this occasion supports the side wall loads.
The KS is installed where there is a requirement for the free
cantilevered steel girder canopy elements to be secured to the
reinforced concrete slab.
The Paragon Apartments project provides an interesting
example of how, by designing-in a combination of Schöck
Isokorb types, a variety of differing project specification
challenges can be met
For a free copy of the Schöck Thermal Bridging Guide and / or the
Thermal Bridging Solutions brochure – contact the company on
01865 290 890 or visit www.schoeck.co.uk
The Paragon balcony construction is complex and to minimise
potential thermal bridging problems, Schöck has supplied three
of its main Isokorb types. First the Isokorb KXT, for concrete-to-
concrete applications to Passivhaus standard, confirmed by its
award of the low ‘thermal bridge construction‘ certificate by the
Passivhaus Institute in Darmstadt. In the design, the plate and
the canopy element for the balcony below act structurally on the
same floor. So it is necessary to connect the two free-cantilevered
reinforced concrete plates using the appropriate Isokorb types in
an alternating pattern. The standard Schöck Isokorb type KXT with
straight shear and tension rods, is alternated with the Isokorb type
KXT-HV. This has off-centre shear and tension rods on one side to
enable connection to a downstand beam, where the balcony lies
lower than the floor slab. Both units transfer negative moments
and positive shear forces