Wardan London, a residential program at the top

Dominating the prestigious financial district of the Isle of Dogs on the quay of Canary Wharf in London, the Wardian program is anchored in complete transparency. The complex built by EcoWorld Ballymore consists of two residential towers of 50 and 55 floors which house a total of 768 apartments, making it one of the highest programs in Great Britain.

Immediately recognizable by their generous balconies and slender profiles, the two towers sit above a podium, which houses a large lobby, communal facilities, retail outlets, a movie theater and a riverside cafe. water.

The complex has been clad in high-tech glazed facades signed WICONA, directly contributing to the thermal and acoustic comfort of users. To meet the specific needs of high-rise buildings subject to strong exposure (wind, rain), WICONA developed the WICSLIDE 150 "Pull and Slide" sliding window for this project, which has since been marketed as a range. A first spectacular implementation.

Inspired by explorer Dr Nathaniel Bagshaw Ward

Wardian London was inspired by the great explorer and innovator Dr Nathaniel Bagshaw Ward, responsible for the creation of the Wardian Case, used to transport plants around the world during the height of the British Empire.

The project is inspired by botany and the idea of ​​portable greenhouses while considering sustainability as another key factor. The management of solar gains and the desire to avoid the use of air conditioning were major principles in the design philosophy of the Wardian. Therefore, in addition to providing rooftop gardens with mature trees to temper incoming air, the design of the towers makes impressive use of passive measures to shield living spaces from solar gain. “The Wardian's roof gardens cool the incoming air while providing each accommodation with ample shaded space. Greening also contributes to air quality and creates a relaxing and friendly environment,” explains a spokesperson for Glenn Howells Architects.

Maximum opening and optimal comfort

On this titanic project, no less than 3 m525 of WICONA facade, which required the creation of more than 2 aluminum profiles, were implemented by the Czech facade designer Sipral.

The company was in fact responsible for the supply and installation of steel support brackets and aluminum balcony structures with a length of three meters to a fully glazed balustrade, but above all by the complex envelope of the building. composed of balcony doors, WICSLIDE 150 PS sliding windows, glazed corners and windows (WICLINE) overlooking the entire height of the floor and allowing a sufficient amount of natural light to the inhabitants of each apartment. The opaque parts of the façade and false ceilings are clad in aluminum sheets.

Acoustic issues identified

The proximity to the underground line and London City airport required special attention to sound insulation. Thus, the WICONA window and door systems ensure a sound reduction of 35 dB or 41 dB, obtained both by the care given to the details of the frames and by the use of acoustic glass. The majority of windows, including back painted balustrade elements, show a value of 1,0 W/m2K.