Townscape provides hostile vehicle mitigation to prestigious London landmark
Townscape Products Limited is helping to safeguard London’s latest skyscraper, 20 Fenchurch Street, against the threat of terrorism.
Townscape has installed six bespoke PAS 68 Counter Terror (CT) Blocks, designed to stop vehicle-based attacks, to the distinctive 32 floor skyscraper dubbed the ’Walkie Talkie’.
20 Fenchurch Street has been designed by renowned architect Rafael Viñoly. Developed by a joint venture partnership between Canary Wharf Group and Land Securities, the building breaks common architectural design by enlarging the floor plans at the top of the building instead of the bottom.
Townscape was enlisted by security engineering consultants, QCIC, to develop a tailored perimeter security solution which would not only protect the building from hostile vehicle attacks, but also create a high quality urban landscape at the base of the property.
Jonathan Goss, managing director of Townscape, said: “20 Fenchurch Street will attract thousands of visitors each year, so a hostile vehicle mitigation (HMV) system was needed to defend the building, whilst also provide an open and inclusive perimeter.
“We worked with leading stone masonry firm, Gormley Masonry Services, to develop and install six PAS 68 CT Blocks, which are topped with granite and include LED lighting on the sides. The high quality granite finish was selected to tie into the prestigious City of London surroundings.”
Andrew Heath-Richardson, project executive, Canary Wharf Group Limited, said: “20 Fenchurch Street is an iconic building and the bespoke CT Blocks Townscape developed, enhance the entrance whilst protecting it to the highest PAS 68 standard. Security, versatility and design have been combined in a unique way and we are pleased with the impressive results.”
Due to the inner city location of Fenchurch Street, it was important the installation of the bespoke CT Blocks was carried out in a tight time frame with as little disruption to traffic and services in the area. The 100mm low profile foundation required by CT Blocks was ideal in this location and the CT Blocks were installed over a six day period.
Townscape took its leading HMV product, the CT Block, and gave it additional purposes as security seating and lighting for this special project. Visitors to 20 Fenchurch Street will enjoy a public plaza, unaware that the seating and landscaping has been creatively designed to provide the utmost protection.
For more information on Townscape’s integrated PAS 68 hostile vehicle mitigation (HVM) range visit: http://www.concretebarriersHQ.co.uk or http://www.townscapeproducts.co.uk or call 01623 440267.
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