WEST ELEVATION
cast into the concrete slab edges. This detail is
repeated internally at the office floor lift lobby
edges, as they overlook the building entrances.
On the east and west elevations however, each
of the façade modules is projected outwards and
framed with a band of clear glass incorporating
100% white frit onto the outer face. This frame
in turn, holds the complex matrix of staggered
horizontal and vertical elements, comprising a
combination of fully transparent “vision” panels
and semi-transparent vision panels, which utilise
a 60% frit pattern to contribute to the reduction
of heat load, as well as vertical spandrel panels
which have an insulated core. Together they allow
maximum natural light penetration into the offices
within the allowable heat load design.
The required fire rating between floors is
incorporated into the horizontal spandrel panels
extending around the slab edges. These horizontal
spandrels are matched to either the vision panels
above or below them.
A series of vertical grooves are also incorporated
into the façade to further break the horizontal lines
of the building. These grooves incorporate top
hung openable window sections to provide some
Waterway House
natural ventilation, if desired. Layered onto the
curtain wall, are staggered aluminium fins which
assist to further reduce solar heat gain and glare.
The Br idge
The North and South buildings are 15m apart from
each other, with further 4.5m wide slab canti-
levers along these edges. The challenge of linking
the two buildings is solved by suspending the
joining double deck bridge from the roofs. This is
achieved by forming concrete cantilever beams
onto the roofs, which extend outwards up to the
parapets and provide the load capacity to carry
the entire bridge.
The bridge itself is then formed as a steel struc-
ture, with the primary girders spanning between
parapets of the North and South buildings.
Suspended from these girders via tensile steel
rods are the third and second floors. These
suspended floor slabs are constructed of concrete
cast into a steel pan system, resting in turn on a
slim steel beam grid.
The curtain wall is then layered over the struc-
ture as for the rest of the building. Due to the
anticipated movement of the North and South
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