Wicona has designed a unitised facade system incorporating two new door innovations for Newfoundland Tower, the tallest residential tower to be built within the Canary Wharf Estate.
Newfoundland Tower is the first tall building to be designed and built by HCL Architects. Its slim flattened diamond plan responds to the narrow footprint of its tight site and the diagonal alignment of adjacent streets.
Billie Lee, director of HCL Architects said: “The diamond concept of Newfoundland enables the building to be extremely tall and slim and gives it a dynamic and striking appearance enjoyable from up close and far away. The project has been designed to maximise views and sunlight, with an orientation that enables panoramic views of London.”
The unitised façade system was designed as a bespoke solution by Wicona’s project engineering team in partnership with its client, Schneider GB Ltd.
Wicona key account manager Michael Spies said: “We have developed a fully customized project solution to fulfil the needs of high-rise buildings and design requirements. Tall buildings are becoming more and more important for the cities of the future and with these innovative door solutions we have put the comfort (daylight, ventilation and safety) of the building users at the heart of the development.”
The first of these innovations is Wicona’s ‘Pull Slide’ opening mechanism to a sliding double glazed door with integrated Juliet balcony. Unlike a conventional sliding door, when opened, this bespoke, aluminium framed system pulls the door 8mm internally before it slides along its track. The action of turning the door handle releases pressure from the perimeter gaskets integrated around the door opening. When closing the door, the mechanism compresses the door against the gaskets tightly sealing it and providing exceptional high wind and water performance.
Wicona has also developed an inward opening Juliet balcony door that won’t slam shut in strong winds.
