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The Richard Rogers Partnership: Using laminated glass as a solution for urban living

Lord Rogers

Why is there a problem in English cities today? What sort of a place do people want to live in? How do we achieve well-designed, sustainable urban communities? And how can architecture influence urban attitudes and prejudices? These are some of the questions posed by the UK government's 'Urban Task Force', led by Lord Rogers of Riverside – otherwise Richard Rogers of London's Richard Rogers Partnership (RRP).

Since RRP was formed in 1977, the theme of enlivening the city – London in particular – has played a vital role in shaping the firm's design. RRP has also become known for its research into energy-efficient buildings, including the development of 'passive' design techniques to reduce energy consumption.

Montevetro: a 'vertical village' of laminated glass

Montevetro: a new London landmark

As early as 1995, Rogers commented: "Londoners are losing faith in their city. People no longer believe that London can provide a healthy, secure and affordable quality of life. They are voting with their feet." Over the last thirty years, Central London has lost a quarter of its population.

Occupying a former flour mill site, RRP's Montevetro Residential Project in Battersea, London (completed in September 1999) is designed to tempt people back to life in the city. It consists of a 'vertical village' of 103 apartments and incorporates laminated glass in a plethora of applications. Montevetro (literally, 'Glass Mountain') climbs from three to 20 stories at its summit. It is an unapologetically modern, efficient living space: wafer-thin, tall and elegant. As Rogers has remarked: "Slimmer buildings allow more people to get views out, place windows close at hand and reduce the need for artificial lighting."

The project looks set to join other Rogers buildings in London such as Lloyds of London and the Channel Four TV headquarters – which also depend on the creative use of laminated glass for their aplomb – as one of London's modern architectural landmarks.

Riverside views

"The views encompass both the River Thames and the ancient, St. Mary's Church, rooting Montevetro residents in local history." Chris Eisner, Hurley, Robertson and Associates (project architects).

Rogers had said: "The real heart of London is the river. Look at any satellite image and it is the Thames that dominates . . . It is this huge and beautiful waterway which holds the key to revitalizing the metropolis. It must once again become a cohesive element linking communities." Thanks to the widespread use of laminated glass, Montevetro makes the River Thames the predominant visual feature of the landscape for its inhabitants.

The one, two, three and four-bedroom apartments and massive penthouses have their reception rooms on the completely glazed, west side of the building, providing a light-soaked yet comfort-cooled environment and amazing westerly views up the Thames.

Laminated glass "key to Montevetro's success"

Hurley, Robertson and Associates of London were the project architects for contractor, Taylor Woodrow Construction Ltd. once planning permission for RRP's design for Montevetro was finalized. Senior Partner at Hurley, Robertson and Associates, Chris Eisner, told LGN: "Laminated glass is key to the outstanding success of the Montevetro development."

The fully-glazed penthouses are one of the highlights of Montevetro. They feature full height, floor to ceiling glazing in both the east and west elevations. Hurley, Robertson selected double glazing units comprised of 12 mm toughened glass, heat soak treated to the DIN standard (HST) and a coating of Glaverbel's Stopray^® 50/40 on the outer pane, a cavity of 24 mm (black spacer/silicon bonding) and an inner pane of 11.52 mm laminated glass (5/1.52 PVB/5).

Spectacular views west

The west elevation features full height laminated glass with not only major views of The Thames but also the lovely old, Grade 1 listed, St. Mary's Church in Battersea with its elegant spire facing the river. Thus, though the Church is not part of the site it becomes part of it, visually, reinforcing the site's sense of character, visual identity, history and community.

The construction of the west elevation glazing is 10 mm partially toughened glass (HST) for the outer pane with a coating of Stopray^® 50/40. This is followed by a 16 mm cavity (black spacer/silicone bonding) and then an inner pane of 10.76 mm laminated glass (5/0.76 PVB/5). The east elevation of Montevetro also uses laminated glass for the bedroom windows, with a similar glazing construction to that of the west elevation windows.

Noise Problem Solved

Eisner explained: "We selected laminated glass for its acoustic and thermal performance, transparency, solar gain, safety, security and structural performance. Laminated glass makes Montevetro an uncompromising, harmonious and efficient way to live in a 21^st century city.

"RRP wanted to use glass to 'open up' the building, capitalize on the incredible views, let in as much natural daylight and make this 'urban village' as environmentally efficient as possible. Yet as project architects, we were faced with a major implementation challenge due to the close proximity of the Westland Heliport, about 1 km to the west of the site, in Battersea. Helicopters fly along a route over the centre of the Thames. Montevetro is also on one of the main approach flight paths to Heathrow airport."

Acoustic performance requirements from the laminated glass construction were established to insulate against helicopter and other aircraft noise. Eisner explained: "Interestingly, following a comprehensive series of studies, the greatest acoustic problem was in the 'slap' of the helicopter blades so we had to find a glazing specification that could keep out that type of noise. Laminated glass solved the problem perfectly, answering all the technical performance requirements set by the acoustic consultant, Vernon Cole." The laminated glass used for the penthouses and the east and west facades was supplied by Glaverbel of Belgium. Felix SA of Lausanne, Switzerland was the main cladding contractor for the project.

Canopies

The canopies to the main entrances consist of toughened laminated glass (0.76 mm PVB) supported with bolted glass fittings on toughened laminated glass fins (1.52 mm PVB). These, in turn, are supported on composite structures of stainless and mild steel, engineered by Waterman Partnership.

There are also glass floors to the penthouses at the east and west perimeters, formed in 1,800 mm x 600 mm panels of laminated glass supported on mild steel brackets. The floor panels consist of a triple laminate of 6 mm silk screen printed clear float glass + 1.52 mm PVB + 12 mm clear float glass + 1.52 mm PVB + 12 mm clear float glass. Both the canopy and floor glass was supplied by Eckelt Glass of Austria.

As Lord Rogers summed up: "If you live in Montevetro you'll be very much at the heart of things, with fabulous views over London, yet tranquility and privacy too. I'd like to see this project not just as a very special place for a very fortunate minority but as a model for what city housing of the future could be."