Project Overview: The PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) building at One Embankment Place, London, is a ground breaking building. A refurbished structure that was a world first for energy efficiency and low carbon technology and achieved the highest BREEAM rating in the world.
Design Concept: The perforated balustrades in the PwC building are an essential component of the internal circulation areas, such as the atrium and staircases. The building was designed to be open, transparent and light filled. The perforated balustrades allow light to filter through multiple levels of the interior while maintaining structural safety.
Material : The balustrades are made of 2mm thick Aluminum with custom-designed perforations based around a 3mm round hole that give them a clean, contemporary look. Not just purely decorative; they also make the balustrades lighter whilst maintaining strength. This reduction in material contributes to the building’s overall sustainability goals.
Functional and Environmental Benefits: Using Perforated balustrades offered several benefits in the PwC building:
• Daylight Optimization: The perforations allow daylight to pass through the interior spaces, reducing the reliance on artificial lighting and enhancing the building’s energy efficiency.
• Ventilation: The openness of the perforated balustrades facilitates natural air circulation, which complements the building’s advanced natural ventilation system. This passive design strategy helps reduce the building’s cooling loads, contributing to its BREEAM Outstanding rating.
• Acoustic Control: The perforations also help diffuse sound, improving the acoustics in high-traffic areas like the atrium. This feature is important in maintaining a comfortable working environment within the large, open-plan space.
Conclusion: The building was designed to be energy efficient and low carbon, with the perforated balustrades contributing to its overall environmental performance. Through innovative use of perforated aluminum, the design meets safety standards but also contributes to the building’s overall sustainability, daylighting, and energy efficiency goals.