Crown Place, London

The Project

• Located in the City of London, 30 Crown Place has been redeveloped to provide 197,000 square feet of contemporary office space and retail facilities.
• A striking glazed facade provides outstanding 360° views across London from the building’s upper levels and allows swathes of natural light to engulf the building providing an exceptionally bright and pleasant working space for the building occupants.
• The well appointed and stylish building interior has been designed to the highest specifications and is complemented by spectacular view terraces, which have been constructed on several floor levels.

The Challenge

The selection of a cladding system for a building facade must take into account a number of important criteria, not least of which are the height of the building, the climatic conditions which the building must withstand, reduced energy consumption and environmental impact. It may also need to meet exacting aesthetic requirements, as was the case with 30 Crown Place.

In order to soften the outline of the unitised curtain wall facade, single glazed fins were attached around the perimeter of the primary structure of the building. This presented two specific challenges. Firstly, the bonding material specified for attachment of the glass to the fin would have to withstand the anticipated high wind loads and suction that is created by air pressure passing through the building. Secondly, many of the glass fins feature a natural anodised finish where specific testing would be required to check compatibility and adhesion of the bonding material to avoid failure of the bond and potential detachment of the glass.

The Solution

Following specialised testing at Dow’s European laboratories in Seneffe, Belgium, where the physical substrates to be bonded were tested for adhesive and cohesive integrity, DOWSIL™ 993 Silicone Structural Glazing Sealant was chosen for the structural bonding of the glass to the framework of each fin. In addition to its inherent performance qualities which include long-term elasticity and UV resistance, the DOWSIL™ 993 Sealant will endure high wind load and thermal stress throughout its life. Curtain wall contractor and specialist fabricator Lindner Fassaden carried out the structural bonding of the glass fins in accordance with the strict quality management and application procedures stipulated by the Dow Quality Bond™ initiative.

The Products

DOWSIL™ 993 Silicone Structural Glazing Sealant exhibits excellent weathering properties and high resistance to ultra-violet radiation, heat and humidity once cured. It is ideal for structural bonding of glass and metal, including coated, enameled and reflective glass.