In a step aimed at tackling the surging demand for housing in the capital, developers in London are currently rejuvenating a number of sites including the Royal Victoria Dock in Newham, where two towers are being built which will comprise up to 24 levels of luxury residential flats.
The wave-like design of these striking towers at Tidal Basin Road will require some complex tubular hand-railing for the balcony of every apartment and this task has been taken on by the experts at Barnshaws Metal Bending.
The construction industry is currently seeing an upturn in business and projects that may have been on hold are now getting the green light. The architects CZWG will soon see their creations become reality, but only with the help of some innovative fabricators and cladding specialists that have the skills to form a range of materials into the organic shapes that will be added to today’s modern skyline.
On this occasion the task has been awarded to McMullen Facades, part of the Lakesmere Group, a leading building envelope and major façade specialist, which has turned to Barnshaws Metal Bending to deliver the curved stainless steel railings that will be positioned on all of the balconies. The shape of the towers means that the tubes will have various radii along their length, with Barnshaws delivering a range of lengths.
Paul Price – Specialist Metals Team Leader, comments: “This is a prestigious project which involves some exciting architecture that we will help to deliver. Stainless steel is not the most forgiving material to work with, but is ideal for a good long-term finish in outdoor conditions. Our specialist CNC bending machines ensure that every section of tube will be formed consistently to specification.
“Since these tubes are both aesthetic and functional, it is important that the final polished finish is maintained and the bends are formed without deformation. Our operatives are highly skilled in the art of metal bending and the precision of our production processes ensure perfectly formed components every time.”
For this development, the designers have looked to create a rippled wave effect, echoing the location of the development near to the River Thames and the Royal Victoria Dock. It is the task of the building envelope specialists to design and construct the outer skin of the building and bring the architectural drawings to life.
Paul Price concludes: “We are often involved with the structural aspect of new buildings and are capable of delivering the curved steel, structural beams and tubes that make much of today’s architecture possible. More recently we have developed the skills and expertise to deliver much more of the visible aspect of a building including aluminium which will help those responsible for building façades.”
The Tidal Basin project will provide a range of different types of apartment and is expected to be completed in early 2016.
