Construction work began on the Channel TunnelRail Link in 2001 and the associated expansion andrestoration of St. Pancras Station. This was a catalyst forthe landowners, London & Continental Railways andDHL (formerly Excel), to develop the land. With Argent astheir development partner they undertook a long processof consultation upon which they based their master planprepared by Architects Allies & Morrison and PorphyriosAssociates. Outline planning permission was granted in2006.
The significant investment in the regeneration ofKings Cross and the developments in the transport sectoris driving the rejuvenation of the area. The regeneration ofthe 67 acre site incorporates retail offerings, hotels,apartments, restaurants, public amenities, office buildingsand civic amenities. The area is densely populated and thevalue of land is very high. The perception of the area hasbeen changed thanks to new businesses, the new buildings
and the marrying of the old and new structures. Thesemixed uses support each other and the area is fastbecoming one of the best known quarters in Europe.
Techrete have been responsible for the supply andinstallation of architectural precast cladding on asubstantial number of the projects in this development.The versatility of the facades allowed them to fuse the newcontemporary buildings with the old restored buildings ina seamless and complementary manner. Working in thislocation was not without challenges. Restrictions wereplaced on them working in such close proximity to the raillines. Techrete have been involved in the design,manufacture and installation of the architectural precastpanels on buildings B2, B3, B4, B6, T1, T6, KX200 andthe paving on KX0. This brochure has been compiled todemonstrate how Architectural Precast Concrete Facadeswere used in Kings Cross and why they are the façade ofchoice for other large scale projects.
C O N T E N T S
Introduction
04B2 - ONE PANCRAS SQUARE King’s Cross, London06B3 - FIVE PANCRAS SQUAREKing’s Cross, London08B4 - TWO PANCRAS SQUAREKing’s Cross, London10
T1 - TAPESTRY 1 – 3 Canal Street, King’s Cross, London
12 B6 - THREE PANCRAS SQUAREKing’s Cross, London
14T6 - URBANESTCanal Reach, King’s Cross, London16
AN OVERVIEWTechrete’s Work at Kings Cross, London
K I N G S C R O S S
Photo: John Sturrock
FIVE PANCRAS SQUARE
KINGS CROSS, LONDON
An Overview of Techrete’s Work at Kings Cross, London
KX200
04
1,048 Techrete Panels including 398 cast ironcolumn claddingArea: 3,600m²Architect: David ChipperfieldMain Contractor: BAM
B2 Gridiron - One Pancras Square
2,787 Techrete PanelsArea: 8,801m²
Architect: Bennetts Associates, WeedonPartnership, LA Architects
Main Contractor: Kier Construction
B3 - Five Pancras Square
427 Techrete PanelsArea: 5,907m²Architect: Allies & MorrisonMain Contractor: BAM
B4 - Two Pancras Square
593 Techrete PanelsArea: 7,725m²
Architect: PorphyriosMain Contractor: BAM
B6 - Three Pancras Square
2,400 Techrete PanelsArea: 9,000m²Architect: Niall McLaughlin ArchitectsMain Contractor: Kier
T1 - Tapestry
T6 - Urbanest1,000 Techrete Panels
Area: 8,140m²Architect: Glenn Howells
Main Contractor: Mansells (Balfour Beatty)
B2
B4
B3
T1
T6
B6
07
B2 - One Pancras Square
GRIDIRON - ONE PANCRAS SQUARE
06
”Argent have always
valued their supply
chain and fostered a
collaborative
environment.
Techrete as a key
member of our supply
chain have delivered
a number of different
buildings for us at
King’s Cross, all with
varying architectural
styles.
Argent have found
Techrete very easy to
work with. Their
professionalism has
resulted in the
projects being a
success in terms of
safety, quality,
delivery and budget.
This success is
testament to how
collaborative working
produces world class
results.”
Tom Callaway
Senior Development
Manager, Argent.
Techrete were engaged in2012 to supply and erectthe external façade of this
55,000 sq m office building. Inaddition to supplying the precastcladding panels, balconies andGRC soffits, Techrete were alsoengaged to design, coordinate anderect the cast iron columns, due tothe proximity and interface withthe cladding. These weremanufactured by Hargreaves attheir facility in Halifax, WestYorkshire and were thentransported on specially adaptedtrailer frames and weresubsequently painted and erectedby Techrete.
The precast cladding and otherfeatures were to be erectedoutboard of the completed curtainwall cladding and this presentedhandling challenges and alsorequired a bespoke fixing system.Due to its proximity to the rail lines,Techrete had to contend with a
downgrading of all craneage by25%. The windows were pre-installed and external access for thisinstallation was via MEWPs. Abovelevel 6 mast climbers were used.The GRC soffits were up to 2.8mwide and specially adapted trailers,frames and lifting equipment wereused to assist site handling of thepanels in under-slung areas whichwere not accessible by the towercrane. Trial lifts were carried out atthe factory, prior to delivery to site.A tower crane was used for themajority of the installation with theexception of the balconies which,due to their weight, were hoisted bya mobile crane. To ensure theuniformity of finish Techreteundertook to construct the pavingand steps beneath the colonnade.
The reconstituted stone mix chosenwas to complement the adjacentbuilding B4 and a warm acidetched finish was used to achievethis.
B2
This unique building has won manyaccolades for its design including theRIBA London Regional Award
2015, The RIBA London SustainabilityAward 2015, and most recently, the PrimeMinister’s Better Public Building Award.Furthermore it has achieved the BREEAMlevel of ‘Outstanding’.
It was built as the new headquarters forCamden Council and is clad at the lowerlevels with Techrete precast concrete panels.There were a lot of constraints encounteredon site and the ground to 3rd floor claddinghad to be installed in advance of the superstructure. Due to the site logistics andproposed crane sizes and positons, normalinstallation hours could not beaccommodated on site as these would haveblocked deliveries and affected progress onsite. There was also site off -loadingrestrictions. To avoid these issues, Techrete
panels were installed between 7pm and 7amusing the site tower cranes. The line and levelworks were carried out during the day.Another challenge faced was the installationof the circular columns. This provedinteresting as they were underslung units andthere was reduced headroom available.
As with other projects in the Kings Crossarea, there were network rail restrictionswhich required the downgrading of allcraneage by 25%. This problem wasalleviated by using mobile cranes whereappropriate, although there was some backpropping required to the slab during thisoperation.
A reconstituted stone mix was chosen in anacid etched finish which gives the building aregal finish, allowing it to blend effortlesslywith the prestige of the neighbouringbuildings and surroundings.
FIVE PANCRAS SQUAREB3
09
B3 - Five Pancras Square
11
B4 - Two Pancras Square
TWO PANCRAS SQUAREB4
10
This 11storey, 130,000 sq ft officebuilding was designed by Allies &Morrison. The design of the
architectural precast cladding gives it aninteresting rhythm. As the building rises, theprecast mullion sections reduce in width butdeepen in depth. This was achieved byspecially designed adaptable moulds. Thecurtain walling / glazing was prefixed to theframe, above level 2, in advance of thecladding. A delicate installation operationensued and the fixing system had to beadjusted to the depth of the reveals. In order toincrease the speed of erection, reduce cost andimprove general efficiency, some of the panelswere 2 storey high “F” panels. This allowed fora rapid rate of enclosure to be achieved.
The immediate impression of this building isof mullions and spandrels but a keen eye cansee upon closer inspection that the mullionsactually decrease in width towards the top ofthe building and the windows at these levels
are set back further to create deeper revealsand create greater solar shading. The key tothe manufacture of this was mouldadaptability. To ensure minimal staining fromrainwater on the face of the building, thespandrels were designed to guide the watertowards a vertical drainage system in themullions, which keeps the water off the face ofthe building. The concrete mix contains someSpanish Dolomite aggregate which adds asparkle to the façade.
The uppermost level has an unusual feature ofa winter garden. This comprises of 3 storeyhigh colonnades with free standing cantileverstructures. This is a very uncommon featureand structural modelling was utilised in thedesign process. Due to the size of the panels,some challenges were encountered during theinstallation process. Prior to installation thesepanels (10m in length) had to be rotated withthe use of the tower crane and then hoistedinto position.
Techrete were awarded the contract forthe design, manufacture andinstallation of the pre-cast elements of
number 3 Pancras Square. The buildingcomprises of an architecturally complex pre-cast concrete facade which attaches to asteelwork frame over 10 floors. The buildingblends effortlessly with the other projects inthe Kings Cross area, complementing theother Techrete buildings surrounding it.Production began at our facility in January2015, with the first panels arriving on-site inJuly 2015. The project completed inDecember of that year.
Architect: PorphyriosEngineer: AKT IIMain Contractor: BAM
THREE PANCRAS SQUARE B6
13
B6 - Three Pancras Square
Photo: John Sturrock
T1 Tapestry - One Canal Street
14
TAPESTRY - ONE - THREE CANAL STREET
This is perhaps one of the most distinctive buildings inthe Kings Cross development set along St. PancrasLough. It is a mixed use structure combining,
residential, retail, bars, cafes and a multi-storey car park.
The influence for the design of this building comes fromancient Assyrian textiles, along with other patterns fromancient Egypt right up to the twentieth century. In addition,the building features intricate tapestry like grooves, whichdraws inspiration from the past when lavish tapestries wouldbe hung on buildings to separate the outside from the inside.
Techrete have a long established relationship with thearchitect. This was developed when they worked on theOlympic Athletes Village together and created reproductionsof the Elgin marbles. The process Techrete developedinvolved using CNC machines to create the moulds and themethodology developed on the Olympic Village project wasemployed in this project. This method allowed Techrete tocreate sharp formal patterns using concrete moulds and theresultant intricate pattern on the panels, gives them an almostsculptural quality. The precast elements were created with aTechrete bespoke deep red mix of GRC.
The balconies were manufactured off site and were erected asindividual complete units.
T1
This 26 storey student accommodation dominatesthe Kings Cross skyline. Techrete designed, builtand installed, 1,000 precast panels covering
8,000 sq m of the facade.
The lower levels, in a dark acid etched grey, arecomplemented by the Portland look-a-like, with twovarying depths of a grit blasted finish to the panels at theupper levels.
The installation of the precast took only 34 weeks. Theoverall construction time was reduced as the installationof the panels (using a telescopic crawler crane) allowed anearlier site start date, whilst the reinforced concrete framewas still under construction.
The downgrading of craneage due to the proximity of theChannel Tunnel Railway Line (CTRL) on the northernboundary of the site was an added constraint for theproject. A monorail was required for the installation ofthe panels on the north elevation immediately adjacentto the boundary fence of the CTRL. This was alsoundertaken whilst the frame was being constructedabove.
The tower crane had a stability tie which was tied to thestructure of the building at level 17. This occasioned apanel being temporarily omitted until the tower cranewas removed. The panel was then installed from withinthe building using chain hoists.
URBANESTT6
17
T6 - Urbanest
B2O N EPANCRASSQUARE
B3F I V EPANCRASSQUARE
B4TWOPANCRASSQUARE
T6URBANESTCANALREACH
T1TAPESTRYCANALSTREET
B6THREEPANCRASSQUARE
Techrete (UK) Ltd Techrete Ireland LtdTechrete (UK) Ltd
General Enquiries: [email protected]
www.techrete.com
Sales and Design Office
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Production Office
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