The London skyline is a breathtaking sight. It is a vibrant city where old meets new and is home to some of the world’s most famous historic buildings alongside some of its most iconic and ground-breaking modern architecture.
Time and again, CoxGomyl has been entrusted with the responsibility of delivering facade access solutions while working with the architects who are shaping the London cityscape. CoxGomyl has met the high demands for functionality, technical innovation and preservation of the architectural vision.
Also known as the ‘Walkie Talkie’, this building’s unique form means each floor differs in size, while all floors provide uninterrupted views across London in every direction. To ensure those views provide maximum impact, effective and reliable facade access solutions were vital to the success of the building.
The curved roofs presented a challenge, and CoxGomyl designed a tailor-made Selective Pivoting Variable Levelling BMU Platform to navigate the facade surface while minimising the visual impact of the access equipment. The roof features distinctive architectural elements, and the BMUs were designed to work in harmony with them, with three machines travelling on tracks attached to the roof fins and parking in concealed positions between the fins.
You can watch the system in action in this video.
20 Fenchurch Street. Image source: AAS Architecture.
This mixed-use complex represents one of the most significant developments on London’s famous Oxford Street in decades. Reflecting the character of the wider city, Park House combines classic design principles with modern, forward-thinking forms and materials. Its curvilinear shape, bright interiors and glass structure provide extensive views across Mayfair.
This high-profile development required a substantial facade access solution, including one of the largest BMUs installed in the UK. The BMU features a 35-metre jib and is stored out of sight below the building’s roofline when not in use by means of a substantial screw-jack-operated lift table. The equipment was manufactured at CoxGomyl’s Madrid facility.
View the Park House BMU in action.
The Shard is an instantly recognisable London landmark. With an irregular pyramidal shape and four glass shards rising approximately 20 metres from the roof at various angles, this unique building presented CoxGomyl with a challenge that required extensive experience, innovative thinking and global resources.
The bespoke solution includes eight multiple-knuckle machines housed in garages at level 29 and concealed behind mechanically retracting panels. Machines with reaches of up to 15 metres are automatically extended and parked. A similar system is used at level 75, where another four multiple-knuckle machines are positioned.
The main system is completed by the level 87 BMU, which sits among the cantilevered shard tips. Complex sequences of movements were required to move the BMU into its working position without coming into contact with the building. The solution was a specially tailored design with three sections of the jib that luff independently to provide a full range of motion. This allows the jib to reach almost vertically to access the upper panels while also enabling it to fold down out of sight for parking.
There is also a smaller BMU at level 19, as well as a unique rope-diverter system at level 20 which was developed specifically for The Shard. Recessed monorails with power-winch cradles inside the station concourse soffit complete the comprehensive access solution.
Watch the video of The Shard facade access system.
CoxGomyl is committed to providing building access solutions that support the long-term maintenance of London’s architectural landmarks. As an end-to-end facade access provider, CoxGomyl works to overcome the challenges created by architectural innovation and deliver practical, reliable and integrated facade access solutions.
Back to News
