JRA ESTIMATES THAT 24KM OF STEEL
SECTION WAS USED IN THE BUILDING.
RE-USING EXISTING FOUNDATIONS
To minimise disruption, costs, and environmental impact, JRA opted
to re-use the building’s existing foundations. With no excavation
needed, the project could be completed up to two years earlier.
What’s more, 49% of the concrete used in the new building was
recycled which meant fewer materials needed to be transported
into the centre of London.
“We knew the shape of the existing foundations from the previous
drawings,” said Agnieszka, “but after the original building was
demolished, we found they were weaker than we had thought.
Consequently, the new building has a lightweight steel structure,
chosen so that it could sit on the existing foundations.”
JRA estimates that 24km of steel section was used in the building.
The design delivers 2.75m floor to ceiling space, with a façade ratio
of 1:2 solid to glass with full height quality glazing (5,000 panels
each weighing up to 53 kg) on each elevation for the offices. This
maximises the natural light inside, improves thermal insulation and
reduces energy costs.
A TEAM APPROACH
JRA produced the initial designs in ARCHICAD 10, and then re-drew
the model in ARCHICAD 15, 17 and 19 as the years progressed, to
benefit from the latest functionality in the software.
Agnieszka said: “We had a team of up to 15 people working on the
project across two countries at any one time. We designed in 3D
using ARCHICAD, and with BIMServer and a fast internet connection,
this was a smooth process.
“We use Graphisoft’s Teamwork on every project within our practice
and we find it invaluable. At one point, we had some members of the
team working on the technical drawings, some working on renders
and modelling, and others checking details with the contractors.”
THE BEST TOOLS FOR THE JOB
JRA used ARCHICAD’s trace reference tool extensively on the
project.
“It allowed us to compare the new model with old versions and check
everything aligned and coordinated correctly,” said Agnieszka. “The
tool also enabled us to add two different contractor drawings to the
model and to immediately see the different versions and what had
changed.
“In addition, we used Profile Manager to model structure
encasements and façade elements. Core and repetitive elements
of details were drawn in separate files and imported as hotlinks or
modules.”
Agnieszka and her team coordinated and exchanged information
with six different companies during the project.