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Project Atlas, 185-221 Buchanan Street, Glasgow

A complete masonry support, restraint and reinforcement system from Ancon was supplied to the construction of this impressive mixed-use development in central Glasgow, built by Balfour Beatty on behalf of Land Securities and opened in 2013.

Located at the northern end of Buchanan Street facing the equally impressive Buchanan Galleries retail development, Project Atlas comprises 11,400sq.m of prime retail space and 49 contemporary city centre apartments, topped with a roof garden.

The attractive façade of the Atlas site is supported by 100 metres of stainless steel support angle installed by specialist subcontractor JB Brickwork. The angle forms a horizontal shelf in the outer leaf at each floor level to carry the masonry load and is fixed back to the structural steel frame.

A bespoke welded ‘Ancon MDC’ bracket-angle support system was manufactured for floors one and two, designed by our in-house project management team to suit the specific cavity width and masonry load at each location.

Ancon MDC System
Ancon MDC System

On floor level three however, due to the lighter load conditions, it was possible to utilise the standard AnconOptima support system, comprising separate angles and brackets stocked locally by Ancon’s distributor SIG Construction Accessories, which is easier to move around site than welded systems and quick to install without hiring crane time.

AnconOptima Masonry Support
AnconOptima

Ancon box-section Windposts span vertically between each floor level and Ancon AMR ladder-style mesh is laid horizontally in the bed joints to reinforce the large masonry panels against wind loadings.

Furthermore, the project uses numerous types and lengths of Ancon stainless steel wall ties to restrain the façade, routinely tying it back to the inner leaf blockwork and the structural frame at the designed spacings, typically 450mm x 900mm centres.

These high performance masonry fixings from Ancon will go on contributing to the integrity of this structure throughout its life despite never being seen by shoppers or residents.

The retail space was completely fitted out and fully operational in time for the 2014 Commonwealth Games which attracted over a million visitors to this vibrant city.

Ancon Wall Tie Types 1-7

Ancon Wall Ties

Masonry Support

Brick, block or stone cladding on steel or concrete framed structures is normally supported by stainless steel masonry support systems.

Windposts

Ancon Windposts are designed to span vertically between floors to provide lateral support for panels of brickwork.

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