Unrivalled performance from Schöck modular connectivity solution
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Phase three of the Elephant Park regeneration project comprises Park Central (North) and East Grove. These developments provide more than 800 new homes and the thermal performance at the design detailing involving the balconies and the unitised façades needed careful consideration if thermal bridging was to be minimised
After the widespread devastation of the Second World War, the Elephant and Castle district of London was clumsily redeveloped during the 1950s. The resulting offices, housing estates and shopping centre were impressive in their time, but at best outmoded in recent times. However, the area has remained an important part of Central London and the current £2.3 billion Elephant Park regeneration project now aims to create one of the most sustainable inner-city regeneration projects in Europe. Overall there are five phases at various stages in the masterplan, with the third currently live alongside the New Kent Road. There are eleven buildings in this phase, divided into two plots – Park Central (North) and East Grove – providing 829 homes in total. There are brick-finished midrise blocks to 11 and 12-storeys throughout and each plot also features a main tower, one at 24-storey, the other 25-storey, both part of the family of tall buildings in the masterplan. Construction of the towers uses around 19,000 m2 of aluminium unitised façade panels. The façade panels for the towers, supplied by FKN and Lindner, were delivered complete with integrated sliding doors and openings ready for the connection of ventilation devices. There are also hundreds of cantilever steel balconies throughout the project. These were supplied by Sheffield based Dearneside Fabrications Ltd. and were also pre-fabricated, including flooring and glazed balustrades.
Avoidance of thermal bridging is critical
With steel having such a high conductivity when compared with other construction materials the avoidance of thermal bridging is critical throughout the project. Local heat loss is a major factor, resulting in more energy being required to maintain the internal temperature of the building. Also, low internal surface temperatures in the area of any thermal bridge can cause condensation. This in turn is likely to result in structural integrity problems with absorbent materials, such as insulation products or plasterboard. Mould growth is also a possible risk, which in a residential situation can cause asthma and allergies.
With both Park Central (North) and East Grove the thermal performance at the connectivity points involving the balconies and the commercial façades needed careful design consideration if heat flow was to be minimised. The Schöck Isokorb structural thermal break is universally recognised for its capability with balcony design detailing. However, it is less widely known for its ability to dramatically improve the thermal performance involving façade engineering. On this project the thermal zone sits outside of the slab zone and the Isokorb is the ideal solution. The specific product that offers so many benefits is the Schöck Isokorb T type S.
Unique and versatile
The versatile Schöck Isokorb T type S structural thermal break is the ideal connectivity solution for project applications involving steel-to-steel applications. There are two variants, the T type S-N for tensile force and the T type S-V for transferring compression and shear forces. It is the only approved thermal break product for steel construction that satisfies the load-bearing and thermal insulation requirements of steel design. Also, being a modular unit, it can be adapted to all profile sizes and load bearing capacity requirements – plus it can be used in both new construction and renovation projects.
Totally verifiable performance
Although the Schöck product types used in phase three at Elephant Park are for steel-to-steel connectivity, the comprehensive Isokorb range also offers solutions for concrete-to-steel, concrete-to-concrete – and even a maintenance free alternative to wrapped parapets.
The requirement described in BRE IP1/06 and cited in Building Regulations Approved Documents Part L1 and L2 and Section 6 in Scotland, that the temperature factor used to indicate condensation risk (fRSI) must be greater than, or equal to, 0.75 for residential buildings is easily met by incorporating the Isokorb.
The range also complies with the Government Standard Assessment Procedure, SAP 2012, concerning CO2 emissions from buildings and respectively heat losses through non-repeating thermal bridges. Products meet full compliance with the relevant UK building regulations, have NHBC approval and offer LABC Registration. There is also the security of independent BBA Certification.
Contact Schöck on 01865 290 890; or visit the website at www.schoeck.com for full details of the Isokorb T type S and all other Isokorb solutions
The T type S assembly detail (previously known as the KST)