Google headquarter, London

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Google headquarter, London

Invisible connection will deliver stair connection TSS 101 to Google's new Headquartersin King’s Cross, London. Nicknamed the ‘landscraper,’ the flagship office building is 72 metres tall at its highest point and stretches to 330m - making it longer than the 310m Shard skyscraper is tall. The £1 billion purpose-built 11-storey structure comprises over 1 million sq ft. Amenities include a gym, pool, multi-use games area, plus landscaped terraces, and a walking 'Trim Track' at roof level. All materials are sourced through Google’s healthy materials program.

IC product: TSS 101

Location: London

Architect: BIG

Main contractor: Lendlease

Precast contractor: Cornish Concrete Products

Engineer: AKT II

The architect's design called for a hidden means of support for the precast stairs and integral landings. A blemish free finish to the exposed concrete stair core interior was desired. An LED strip and balustrade rebate was required on 3 sides of the landing against the core walls. The original design proposed a steel angle to support the 275mm thick landing around its 150mm perimeter. However, the reduction in thickness at the landing edge meant there would be insufficient depth for adequate reinforcement at this location, so Cornish Concrete recommended using our telescopic connectors. Original (unworkable) design using steel angle We proposed specially modified TSS 101 connectors (where both the casing and the inner were extended by 60mm), to form a connection which bridged the air gap between the rebated landing and the wall. By extending the length of the connector outer, the local reinforcement around the TSS 101 connectors remained within the deeper part of the landing, providing structural integrity.