Lightweight Concrete Benefits Central London’s Latest Green Space
Capital Concrete supplied specialist lightweight concrete for the re-landscaping of Exchange Square, one of Central London’s largest public spaces.
Designed by architects DSDHA and built by Specialist landscape contractor, Maylim, the redevelopment of Exchange Square includes a 1.5-acre landscaped park, combining nature with the area’s distinctive architecture.
As well as creating a hub that offers new retail and event opportunities with amphitheatre seating, the project has a strong sustainability and wellbeing focus and includes new planting and tree placement, increasing the amount of green space available in Broadgate.
Capital Concrete was chosen to supply the project, as a result of its track record of working with customers on complex projects with specific specialist mix requirements. On this occasion a lightweight concrete was chosen which contained Euro-Agg’s ARGEX Expanded Clay aggregates.
ARGEX expanded clay aggregates, as well as being lightweight, promotes biodiversity by supporting oxygen production, and helping to absorb atmospheric pollution and is increasingly being sort after for use in urban landscaping projects because of these properties.
With the development taking place over Liverpool Street Station, it was especially important to install a high strength, low density material. Lightweight concrete’s reduced structural loading made it an ideal choice, preventing excessive weight from affecting the railway station structure.
Jack Sindhu, Technical Manager for Capital Concrete, said: “Being such a high profile public space with heavy foot traffic, it was critical to use a high performance concrete material possessing long term durability. It is great to see this innovative sustainable product continue to take centre stage.”
This project builds on Capital Concrete’s track record supplying a similar lightweight concrete mix for developments at King’s Cross and Old Street Roundabout, both of which rely on the material’s low weight properties. Add to that its fire resistant properties, and this specialist concrete has gained momentum in the Capital, with growing demand from a variety of specifiers.
If you are interested in finding out more about lightweight concrete, then please contact one of the team on 020 3974 0520.
Images courtesy of Euro-Aggs
