Canada Water Regeneration Project, Southwark
Fabweld
Plot A2 is a flagship feature on the Canada Water site, one of the most ambitious mixed-use regeneration projects in London, covering 53 acres. Located in a designated London Opportunity Area, this project has received significant support and funding, including a joint venture with AustralianSuper, ensuring accelerated progress and completion of Phase 1 by late 2024. This regeneration effort aims to transform Canada Water into a vibrant, sustainable community with up to 3,000 net-zero homes, extensive office spaces, retail, leisure, and community facilities.
Project Briefing
British Land, the client, was keen to make Plot A2 stand out and provide a unique feature at the entrance to Canada Water. Scope of works included:
Balustrades: Twisted steel balustrades on the entire East elevation with smaller wraparounds at the North and South ends. These cover four floors with a span of 61 linear meters each. The balustrades are manufactured in approximately 1.5-meter sections, with eight sections completing a bay between columns.
Juliet Balconies: Smaller twisted Juliet balconies on the North elevation, each 4 meters in length.
Manufacture & Design
The balustrades and Juliet balconies within the Canada Water project demonstrate innovative use of galvanizing, ensuring durability and aesthetic appeal. Fabweld faced the technical challenge of constructing the twisted steel sections and designed and built the machine that would deliver this result accurately.
Balustrades: Manufactured from 200 x 8mm flats, these balustrades feature a central straight section with twisted ends, integrated into a one-piece construction.
Juliet Balconies: Designed similarly to the balustrades but with only one twist, the Juliet balconies use 235 x 8mm flat bars.
Handrails: Constructed from folded 6mm plates with a flat bar base rail, these handrails include intermediate uprights for stiffness and to facilitate attachment to fixing brackets. Junctions between panels are managed with an upper fixing plate and a lower lap plate.
Finishing
The finishing process for these components involves shot blasting, galvanizing, and powder coating. Galvanizing is critical due to the presence of voids and cavities in the assembly, ensuring full protection against corrosion. The final color is a shade of gold, adding a prestigious touch to the project.
Installation
Installation involved collaboration with Severfield (the frame contractor) and AFW for the connecting brackets. The balustrades have slotted sections that fit over these brackets, secured with a locking screw.
Benefits of Galvanizing
With the construction of A2 Canada Water facade, galvanizing has played a crucial role in ensuring the durability and sustainability of the project in a number of ways:
Enhanced Durability and Longevity: Galvanized steel has significantly enhanced the lifespan of structural components, protecting them from corrosion and environmental damage. This is vital in a development that aims to be net-zero and sustainable by 2030.
Circularity: Galvanized steel is a circular construction material and 100% recyclable, aligning perfectly with the project's sustainability goals. The reuse of materials helps reduce the carbon footprint of the construction process and contributes to the overall net-zero target.
Zero Maintenance: Galvanized structures require minimal maintenance, which is cost-effective and reduces long-term disruption for residents and businesses. This characteristic is essential for the ongoing appeal and functionality of the development.
Aesthetic Versatility: Beyond its practical benefits, galvanized steel offers aesthetic versatility. It is contributing to the modern, industrial look of the new town centre while blending seamlessly with the green spaces and historical aspects of Canada Water.
Conclusion
The use of galvanizing in the Canada Water regeneration project exemplifies construction techniques that support sustainability, durability, and aesthetic appeal. This project not only reimagines a 21st-century town centre, but also sets a benchmark for future developments in terms of environmental responsibility and community-centric design. The façade of the A2 Canada Water building is indicative of the thoughtful fabrication required from many small family businesses across the UK. It exemplifies how small to medium enterprises apply ingenuity and skill to manufacture bespoke solutions and futureproof our structures. The strategic use of materials like galvanized steel assists developments in becoming thriving, resilient, and aesthetically rich communities in the heart of our cities.
Photographs © Alloy Fabweld