Roto has supplied hardware for over 500 windows to the Leadenhall Building - commonly known as the Cheesegrater.
Named after its address, 122 Leadenhall Street, this brand new skyscraper is being built right opposite the iconic Lloyd’s of London building. It’s designed by the same architect, Richard Rogers, the man who also gave you the 02 Arena (or, at the time he designed it, the Millennium Dome).
The statistics tell a story in themselves: 225 metres (737 feet) tall. 48 floors, accessed by a total of 29 lifts, and yes, there are 560 windows – all featuring Roto hardware.
The shape of the building has resulted in a nickname, one that will surely stick: The Cheesegrater. There are good reasons for the sloping face: it ensures views of St Paul's Cathedral are not obscured.
The design is unusual beneath the surface too. There is no concrete core: instead, the steel structure is designed to give the building all the rigidity it requires. It’s the tallest building ever to be constructed in this way.
The windows needed a bit of clever thinking. They’re inclined inwards at 10 degrees. Of course, Tilt&Turn hardware is generally intended for use on installations that stand vertically. Roto engineers have designed and manufactured bespoke hinges especially for this project, and they form part of a dedicated hardware specification based on the ALU T540 system.
Some of these windows act as external entry points for the emergency services. On these, a flush-encased gearbox is fitted. This has a spindle drive, which can be accessed from the outside by fire crews, who are able to use a tapered spindle (a standard part of their kit) to operate the gearbox and open the sash.
Designing bespoke solutions is only one part of the service, because Roto’s ethos goes beyond design and manufacture: it’s also about collaboration. On this project, Roto has worked closely with contractor Yuanda, providing consultation and on-site support during the installation process.
The Leadenhall building is due to be completed and opened in the latter part of 2014. When you next see it, remember: that tilting side contains some Tilt&Turn windows – and the hardware is Roto.