Archetech Issue 40 2019 | Page 32

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