Parking Facilities Provision has been made for 1,800 bays over six basement levels . Preferred bays for car pooling and hybrid vehicles are included . Provision is also made for 140 bicycle bays , with shower and change facilities .
DESIGN ELEMENTS Skylights The skylights are made up of 12 giant cones . They are 8.4m in diameter and float above the atrium space like giant clouds . The forms continue to the outside of the cantilevered off-shutter concrete roof on either side of the main atrium . They were required to introduce natural light and their sizes and shapes were generated through Revit to maximise their performance , balanced with aesthetics and cost . Two prototypes were developed , which were then rotated to generate 12 unique looking cones . They were manufactured off site in M1 .
Off-Shutter Concrete Columns These are one of the architectural features of the atrium . Raked and vertical columns are 8.5m high and moulded in a single cast ; specialised formwork was generated in Revit Design and Revit Structure ; these were exported to AutoCAD in DWG format to the subcontractor for construction . Sizes were specified by the engineer and then sculpted by the architects . There were two
• Material : high grade gypsum reinforced with glass fibre for a very high strength
• Self supporting
• Thickness : from 10 to 50mm at ribs , skimmed and painted .
They were cast off a master mould in 8 pieces to facilitate transportation and then restrung in the atrium space and tied back to the roof structure .
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