On an area of over 18,000 sqm (200,000 sq ft), the new headquarters of the Anglo American group, which is engaged in mining and raw material processing, as well as its subsidiary De Beers, the world's largest diamond manufacturer and dealer, was created at 17 Charterhouse Street. Existing offices were converted, but two floors were also removed and subsequently rebuilt.
In the implementation of the demanding facade made of glass and natural stone, products from the SSG Solnhofen Stone Group based in Bavaria were used. The selected stone types were Maxberg Jura limestone yellow Oberbank and Padang granite G654. The high loads, as well as the desire for invisible fastening, presented special challenges for the executing company, the Radeberger Fensterbau GmbH from Saxony, together with its British partner Schneider Group. The responsible parties commissioned the fischer facade systems division of the fischer group to solve this fastening task. The company specializes in complete solutions for mounting ventilated curtain wall facades (VHF). "Based on pull-out tests, we developed a special solution: the undercut anchor FZP II 13x26 M8/SO/17 A4, which was installed in a quantity of 20,000," says Steven-Henrik Maier, Head of Market Management Facade Systems at the fischer group.
Gerhard Regler, Project Manager Facade Technology SSG Solnhofen Stone Group, emphasizes: „The use of three fischer drilling machines in the SSG plant Gundelsheim and the factory installation and spreading of the dowels also led to a significant cost reduction in on-site assembly.“
The construction size and design of the Zykon plate anchor made of stainless steel precisely meet the project-specific requirements and enable high corrosion resistance. „Tests with plates made of limestone confirmed the safety of this solution, which, due to its concealed fastening, also fulfilled all aesthetic customer wishes“, adds Steven-Henrik Maier. „This convinced the decision-makers as well as our broad range of services, which ranged from consulting and development of the project-specific special solution to support on the construction site on location.“
As a result, the ventilated curtain facade (VCF) executed with fischer undercut anchors meets high requirements for sustainability and climate control and combines these demands with an aesthetic appearance, protection, and lasting safety.
The use of three fischer drilling machines in the SSG plant Gundelsheim and the factory installation and expansion of the anchors also led to a significant cost reduction in on-site assembly.
