As part of the renovation scheme designed by architects MoreySmith, the building’s dated glass facade required replacement – with specialist glazing contractor OAG appointed to complete the £2 million engineering and installation contract.
The building was built in 1992 for global law firm Clifford Chance. However, since the company relocated in 2003 the 380,000 sq ft office building has proven too large for a single tenant and unsuitable for multiple tenants due to acoustic problems caused by the absence of dividing walls in the glass atrium. Developer Helical Bar therefore appointed architectural firm MoreySmith to remodel the building into a more marketable office space.
A key part of the redevelopment was the replacement of the cascading glass atrium with a more contemporary and distinguished aesthetic that is sympathetic to its location. To achieve this, MoreySmith designed a new double-height glazed podium section to create a ‘vertical village’ suitable for multiple tenants. For the creation and delivery of this complex glass facade, as well as a new curtain wall facade, glass roof light and internal glass atrium, specialist glazing contractor OAG was appointed.
OAG designed and installed the new five floor glass-clad structure, using argon-filled, point-fixed, bolted, low iron units with a 70/35 solar coating and double glazed thickness of 53.2mm.
For the creation of the stunning 315m2 glass facade, OAG installed vast panel sizes of up to 2.32m x 4.35m – the largest created used by glass manufacturer Saint Gobain for a bolt fix system.
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Whilst the building has retained its original black and beige stone panels, the new glazed podium extends the lower floor plates as well as replacing the previously harsh aesthetic with a far more modern, open and welcoming exterior to the building. To complete the new aesthetic, OAG also installed a glass roof light above the podium. Measuring 20m x 2.5m, the 50m2 roof light has allowed the continuation of MoreySmith’s use of light to create variety and interest.
Working alongside specialist contractor Structura, appointed to renew the existing curtain walling, OAG also provided a 250m2 curtain wall to the rear of the building. For this, the company specified 43.6mm thick double glazed glass which was fixed to laser-welded steel mullions. To achieve exceptional air barrier and insulation system continuity, as well as providing a seamless and contemporary aesthetic, OAG used a series of 12m long unbroken mullions that ran the entire height of the glass.
“The completion of this project clearly demonstrates the technical ability of OAG,” commented Andy Grey, Managing Director of OAG. “We were faced with a number of highly complex engineering challenges to maintain the architectural designs created by MoreySmith. In addition there were the logistical issues faced with working in Central London. However the completed job illustrates the ability and expertise OAG has to offer.”
Now complete, the new-look 200 Aldersgate has generated great interest from potential tenants for the vast and varied office spaces that are now available. With a number of major changes, including the new glass frontage supplied by OAG, both the exterior and interior have changed to such an extent that it could be viewed as one of London’s most exciting new developments.
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