UNUSUALLY LARGE BALCONIES
NO PROBLEM FOR SCHÖCK
It is not necessarily the largest projects that provide the bigger
challenges and this was certainly the case for structural thermal
break specialists Schöck, at 83-85 Weston Street in Bermondsey.
Located a short walk south from London Bridge station, in an
area with very disparate architectural styles, the Weston Street
development is an intriguing minimalist, modern aesthetic design.
It comprises eight interlocking split-level apartments, with two and
three bedroom apartments arranged over half levels; and stacked
above 5000 sq ft of commercial space on the ground floor. The
external envelope features a brickwork outer skin over a load-
bearing concrete inner skin and amenity space is a combination of
stepped roof terraces – and unusually large cantilevered concrete
balconies.
Contact Schöck on 01865 290 890; or visit the website at www.
schoeck.co.uk for a free copy of the Schöck Thermal Bridging
Guide; the Schöck Specifiers Guide and to view the full range of
downloadable software.
It was these heavy balconies that provided the challenge for
Schöck, who have a reputation for solving demanding structural
thermal break connectivity issues.
Working closely with the
precaster, the decision was taken to optimise the solution by
utilising two different types of Schock Isokorb. The first, for
concrete-to-concrete connectivity, was cast-in along the back
edge of the balcony and then into the slab. A second type, more
commonly used for steel structures, was also introduced to provide
further support at the top of the precast concrete handrail. This
was bolted back through the wall. To anchor the Isokorb into the
precast balcony, especially long bolts were manufactured, which
spanned the wall thickness and enabled the units to connect with
a cast-in steel plate designed and manufactured by the precaster.
The extremely comprehensive Schöck Isokorb range provides
totally verifiable connectivity
solutions for concrete-to-
concrete, concrete-to-steel and steel-to-steel. Products meet full
compliance with the relevant UK building regulations, have NHBC
approval and offer LABC Registration. There is also the security of
independent BBA Certification.