Schock counters thermal bridging at 417 Riverside

The only thermal break system offering concrete-to-concrete, concrete-to-steel and steel-to-steel connections.

Whether London is successful or not in its bid for the 2012 Olympics, Stratford and neighbouring areas in East London are still poised to take on a new strategic importance over the next few years.

As part of the Thames Gateway regeneration project, enormous investment is planned for housing, employment, retail and general urban community development.

The new Eurostar International Station is due to open in 2007, as indeed is a new 'Bluewater' style shopping centre covering around one and a half million square feet - and many of the currently neglected open spaces in the area will take on a new lease of life as well.

Greens, commons and pathways developed for walkers and cyclists, naturalisation of the riverbanks through ecological corridors and habitat creation and over 100 bridges are to be built throughout the lower Lea Valley as a whole.

In fact, if the Olympic bid fails, plans have already been submitted that could turn this part of London into a water city, one observer suggesting it could become the 'Amsterdam' of the Thames Gateway.

Balconies - often a problem child.

One development that embodies the burgeoning social change in the area can be found at Fish Island, just off Wick Lane in Bow.

Due for completion around summer 2005, it is on the banks of the River Lea and known formally as 417 Riverside.

Consisting of eight office units and seventy two apartments in four inter-connecting blocks, the development, created by Henley Homes, is designed to provide an elegant, contemporary living and working environment.

The apartments feature attractive balconies, but however appealing they may be to the residents, balconies are so often a problem child in the construction process.

Cantilever balcony connections and other similar construction elements which project through the building envelope, breaking the insulation layer in the process, are well known for their tendency to create thermal bridges, resulting in significant heat and energy loss.

Also, if there is sustained exposure to condensation it is probable that plaster and paintwork will be subject to serious deterioration and mould growth - one of the major sources of respiratory allergies such as asthma.

At 417 Riverside, the balconies feature a unique solution to thermal bridging problems - the Schock structural thermal break system.

Aren't there similar systems on the market?.

The Schock system is unique in that it is the only thermal break system offering concrete-to-concrete, concrete-to-steel and steel-to-steel connections.

It includes an innovative, high performance compression module, which offers high thermal efficiency and is designed to help architects and structural engineers meet the new Part L of the Building Regulations.

With over 5m units installed, it is already the leading brand in mainland Europe (where it is known as the Schock Isokorb).

Michael Currier of UK distributors Buildspan points out: "At 417 Riverside, the construction is in-situ flat slab reinforced concrete, with the Schock thermal break system installed to all balconies and walkways".

"Each unit can easily be handled by one man, taking less than five minutes to install, so the system is totally compatible with the fast track construction techniques employed on the project".

"A phased delivery schedule was agreed with the developer/contractor to benefit on-site working and close field support helped to ensure optimum efficiency on the project".

Simple but so effective Like all clever ideas, the principle behind the Schock system is simple enough.

It thermally insulates components from each other, thereby countering thermal bridging, but at the same time it is an integral part of the structure.

James Chard, of architects Yeates Design and Architecture, comments: "The Schock system instantly solved the perennial problem caused by projecting balconies and walkways - and the simplified detailing and cold bridge system saved both time and money on the project".

The specific unit used at Wick Lane is the KX, which incorporates a concrete pressure bearing block (the HTE-module).

It has set new levels of performance in thermal break technology and features latest generation compression modules, made from micro-stainless steel-fibre reinforced concrete for increased heat insulation.

There is no requirement for an overhanging thrust bolt, so less tensile bars are needed to provide the same load bearing capacity and at the same time permit efficient cassette type installation.

There are over 200 standard solutions in the range and of course specials can always be made to order.

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