Wintech hits high note at Music Box

Spparc Architecture describes the Music Box as being “an exemplar of energy efficiency and sustainable design through the exterior detailing and choice of materials”.

The carefully considered design principles have ensured the Music Box is a sustainable and energy efficient building, exceeding the statutory and Greater London Authority carbon reduction requirements.

This eye-catching 44-metre tall building shares its lower levels with the London Centre of Contemporary Music, which inspired the development’s name, with the luxurious apartments on the upper 10 levels enjoying stunning views across London.

Developed by Taylor Wimpey, the Music Box is in walking distance to many of London’s iconic landmarks and cultural centres, such as the Royal Festival Hall and the National Theatre, the Shard, St Paul’s Cathedral, the Gherkin, Borough Market and the London Eye to name but a few.

The building envelope will be constructed from glass curtain wall and a glazed faience brick exterior that comprises of a series of vertical white textured ceramic spines that take their inspiration from the strings of a chordophone instrument, such as a piano or harp. These feature columns will provide a varying appearance of the building; architecturally acknowledging the changing movements of contemporary music.

Wintech have been working as Facade Engineers helping the design of the Music Box mature in a way that appropriately deals with many assembly challenges, together with assisting with the procurement process in a way that reduces risk and cost in a true Value Engineering role.

One demanding aspect of the development has been dealing with the close proximity of the adjacent railway line and the effects of noise intrusion into residential occupancies; one of the factors that helped inform the choice of ceramic materials as part of the external facings.

Wintech have completed the facade specification and undertaken a series of Building Physics assessments to help predict the effect of various materiality and constructional options open to the team. The project is currently in the design phase and the company’s activities will extend to Client Monitoring and QA/QC services on site.

The Music Box is set to be completed by September 2016.