When the Imperial College in London asked Foster and Partners to redesign the "black tower" portion of their flagship Tanaka Business School building on Exhibition Road in London, Colt were consulted with regard to the design of a glass louvred veil to conceal the existing concrete structure, whilst allowing daylight penetration to the fenestration behind.
The eventual design purchased by ISG ExteriorInterior plc, who was the project manager, utilised a new bracket design housing toughened laminated and fritted glass louvres with ground edges, hung from aluminium and steel supports connected to the existing concrete structure.
Colt designed and installed the 24m-high glass facade which has been hung off a ring beam system attached to the roof. Wind loads are carried back to the columns via slender T-section mullions. Colt provided adjustable louvre brackets enabling the louvres to be accurately positioned during installation as the steel structure flexed under their weight. These brackets are also designed to allow easy removal of glass for maintenance or breakage.
The 785 m² of glass louvres are in a 100% white frit and provide the building with a light aesthetic, whilst maintaining excellent levels of daylight to the inside. Colt also designed and supplied 232 m² of galvanised steel walkways behind the louvres complete with a mansafe latchway system.
