Agrob Buchtal complied with these explicit specifications using
specially-manufactured facade tiles in three lengths of up to
almost 150 cm and a height of 29.7 cm (a perfect fit for the element
grid) as well as other special formats - yet more evidence of the
fact that tailored project-specific solutions are among the proven
strengths of this architectural ceramics brand. This is also shown
by some further aspects: in line with the specifications, the tiles
feature a mesh glued to the back which serves as fall protection
in the event of intentional mechanical damage. To secure the
facade ceramics to the elements manufactured by Lindner, a
special variant of the “Omega” profile for the modern KeraTwin K20
fastening system was developed and used. One relevant issue in
terms of the statics of a building concerns the weight of the facade
cladding. Agrob Buchtal scores well with around 32 kg per square
metre as this value is comparably low for a ceramic variant but does
not compromise stability: the thickness of the tiles is tared exactly,
and supplemented by high-quality raw materials as well as special
expertise in the areas of moulding, drying and firing.
SOPHISTICATED LOGISTICS
Prefabrication does not end once the products leave the plant but
is in fact a comprehensive process as indicated by this project.
The prefabricated components were loaded in accordance with a
special system onto steel pallets at the Lindner Fassaden GmbH
plant in Arnstorf, whereby a truck load comprised 18 standard
elements. For around 2,400 elements, this corresponds with well
over 100 trucks which needed to safeguard the carefully timed
material flow as there were no possibilities to store components
on a large scale on site in densely-populated London. Accordingly,
Lindner Facades Ltd. co-ordinated the sophisticated site logistics:
on arrival, the pallets were forklifted from the truck and transported
to a so-called buffer area where the elements were inspected and
cleaned before being transferred to the building’s designated
safety zone. From there, the prefabricated components were lifted
by crane into a vertical position, hoisted to their respective spots
on one of the 35 floors, and fastened by qualified fitters from RF
Fixing Ltd.
CONCLUSION
Block F on the new White City Campus of Imperial College is a
perfect example of the advantages offered by prefabricated facade
elements. Smooth co-operation by everyone involved literally gave
rise to an outstanding and widely-visible result with an architectural
brilliance and power.
www.agrob-buchtal.de
www.ehsmithfacades.co.uk
www.lindner-group.com
www.plparchitecture.com