PROJECT DETAILS
WICONA has designed a high-performance, unitised facade system incorporating two new door innovations for Newfoundland Tower, the tallest residential tower to be built within the Canary Wharf Estate. The solutions have been developed to perform well in challenging high-rise conditions. The doors used in this project feature unrivalled weather performance, reduced sightlines and are aesthetically pleasing without detracting from the overall design intent of the building.
Newfoundland Tower is the first tall building to be designed by HCL Architects. The slim flattened diamond plan responds to the narrow footprint of its tight site and the diagonal alignment of adjacent streets.
The landmark tower provides 636 apartments and is suitated directly above the Jubilee Line near Westferry Circus at the end of Middle Dock, and the tower's distinctive diamond pattern created by the externally structure, provides lateral stability and is the most efficient way for a tall building to withstand wind forces.
The unitised facade system used for this project was designed as a bespoke solution by the WICONA project engineering team in partnership with our client, Schneider GB Ltd.
The bespoke project service collaborates closely with architects on a project-by-project basis was well placed to design to innovative door solutions that integrate seamlessly within the unitised facade and provide comfort to the users whilst managing the challenging high-rise conditions of this building.
The first of these innovations is WICONA's unique pull-slide opening mechanism to a sliding double glazed door with integrated Juliete balcony. Unlike a conventional sliding door, when opened, this easy to use aluminium framed system pulls the door 8mm internally before it slides quietly and smoothly along its track. The action of turning the door handle releases pressure from the perimeter gaskets integrated around the door opening. When closing the door, the highly engineered mechanism compresses the door against the gaskets tightly sealing it and providing exceptional high wind and water performance. e action of turning the door handle releases pressure from the perimeter gaskets integrated around the door opening. When closing the door, the highly engineered mechanism compresses the door against the gaskets tightly sealing it and providing exceptional high wind and water performance.
WICONA also developed an inward opening Juliete balcony door that won’t slam shut in strong winds. The key to this innovation is the new two-stage turn limiter designed by WICONA. This integrated safety feature provides an anti-slam function, which is necessary where doors are installed at height and exposed to potential high pressures.
