Riverwalk
The spandrel areas feature two units consisting of insulated panels with 2 aluminum sheets encasing Rockwool insulation.
On the outer face, the unit is clad with a decorative rainscreen of vertical element.
This rainscreen consists of a 3mm thick aluminum sheet with applied vertical decorative elements in extruded aluminum profile. The surface finishing is bronze powder coating.
At the bottom of the unit it is clad with a Moleanos limestone (sourced from Mendiga - Portugal) stone spandrel is 1m high and 5cm thick.
The stone slabs are curved to follow the façade and they are anchored back to the unit by concealed mechanical fixings.
On the balconies, the stone panels follow the parapet seamlessly forming a continuous fascia on each floor.
Stanton Williams
Stanton Williams
Stanton Williams Architects was founded by Alan Stanton and Paul Williams in 1985 following extensive individual careers in teaching and practice in the UK, Europe and the US. They have been working with fellow directors Gavin Henderson, Peter Murray and Patrick Richard for over 15 years in a studio, which now has an established team of 65 people with five directors and ten associates. The Practice has successfully completed numerous high profile architectural, urban design, masterplanning, exhibition and interior design projects, winning more than 50 awards.
Riverwalk

Riverwalk

The building’s curves respond to the powerful presence and sinuous form of the river

Project Specs

  • Location: London
  • Completed: 2016
  • Contractor: Sir Robert McAlpine
  • Photographer: Hufton+Crow
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Technology

Riverwalk

BUILDING ENVELOPE

The building envelope consists of prefabricated curtain walling technology. The façade is facetted to follow the particular geometry of the building, which has been designed
to allow a panoramic view of the City and River Thames from the apartments and projecting balconies.
As a residential development, the façades are characterized by extensive opaque surfaces in which there are windows with one or two openings and large sliding doors for access
to the balconies.
 

Each system has been bespoke designed and manufactured by Focchi Group according to the designer’s specification.

Designed by

Stanton Williams Architects

Riverwalk’s beautiful architectural form echoes the curves of the river below. The buildings are formed of ‘strata’: curved horizontal bands of limestone at each floor level that alternate with bronzed aluminium and glass bands to form windows and balconies.

Set backs on the upper floors allow penthouses to enjoy larger terraces while giving architectural definition to the building roofscape. The design includes an important investment in the public realm. The walkway along the river is widened and with improved landscaping.

Below ground, the incorporation of car and cycle parking, building plant and technical services in an extensive basement area allows the purity of the building’s architecture to be fully expressed. Extensive planting on roofs, balconies and terraces, most significantly on the first floor podium terrace where a private garden is proposed, contributes to a substantial improvement in the green footprint and biodiversity of the site.

“The architectural concept takes its inspiration from the sinuous curves of the river as it winds past the site. The building’s gentle, interlocking form responds to this movement and opens up the residential apartments to the panoramic river views. The distinctive canopied entrance will enhance the building’s unique identity.”

Alan Stanton

Other Façade Systems

THE BALCONIES

The curtain wall is completed with large, prefabricated galvanized steel balconies.
The balconies project from the façade and they are fixed to the slab by penetrating through the façade itself.
The prefabrication of the balconies in the workshop has led to a number of logistical challenges related to packaging
and transportation from Italy, but it was necessary to reduce the timing and to overcome the lack of storage space on site.
The floating decking to the balconies, in IPE wood (from Brazil) is FSC certified, sourced from forests managed according to strict environmental, social and economic standards.

The soffits are also part of our supply and they consist of metal frame, gypsum plasterboard slabs and colored finishing plaster.
The stone parapet features a 10mm thick aluminum laser cut sheet and an inner low-iron curved glazed balustrade for safety. Large sliding glazed doors with a lifting system guarantee access to the balconies.
To facilitate maneuvering and control through home automation systems, the opening is motorized.
The facade achieves high thermal insulation and acoustic performance. The triple glazing units are with double low-emissive treatment. The TGU cavities are Argon filled.
The average façade thermal transmittance is 1.00 W / m²K. The sound-insulation value Rw = 45dB.

WINDOWS

Windows have one or two inward opening ventilators; they are of considerable dimension as the stone parapet is only 600mm high.
For this reason, an external Juliet Balcony glazed balustrade, to ensure anti-fall safety, completes the windows.

The glazed parapet consists of low-iron laminated glass.

The windows are equipped with an opening limiter with a key lock that prevents children from falling.
Full opening is still possible for maintenance and cleaning purposes.