Brunel Building
Brunel Building is a highly sustainable 17-story building located on the banks of the Grand Union Canal and opposite Brunel's Paddington Station. Both environmental and social sustainability were central to the ambitions of both design team and client and several key design strategies have helped to reduce the operational energy and carbon emissions for Brunel Building. Among them, the aluminum used in the façade contains 65% recycled material. The project achieved BREEAM ‘Excellent’ rating, LEED® ‘Gold’ and Wiredscore ‘Platinum’ ratings.
The design approach was technically driven by the presence of the canal and two Bakerloo Line underground tunnels running across one corner of the site. The steel diagrid exoskeleton that characterizes the façade is not only visually striking but allows the building to span the tube lines. Pushing the superstructure to the outside of the building also delivers column-free internal floor space, providing maximum flexibility for occupier fit-outs and unimpeded views. The external structure provides 20% shading to the façades, helping to reduce energy demand and allowing larger areas of glazing and deep daylight penetration. This impression of light and space is enhanced by the high floor-to-ceiling dimensions.
Design & engineering, manufacture and installation of around 11,000 sqm (118,400 sq ft) of architectural envelope.
Generally, the external envelope of the building comprises frameless double glazed units above first floor level. The cladding system is supported by an insulated strong-back spandrel system with a hook on a perforated rain screen spandrel panel and an expressed aluminum perimeter edge profile. The double glazed units have wet seal joints with mullions. An expressed insulated collar at stub locations penetrates the façade where the external structure connects to the internal primary structure.
DEVELOPER: Derwent London
ARCHITECT: Fletcher Priest Architects
CONTRACTOR: Laing O’Rourke
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