Circular Building
- Circular buildings are regular in shape and hence, there is no problem for accessing the external façade.
- The only design consideration is the shape of platform which has to be connected in segments to form a curved platform for easy travel down the façade.
Recommendations of Access Systems
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Figure 1 : Trolley Unit |
For circular buildings, it can use the trolley unit when the roof is spacious.
Space is needed for the installation of tracks. |
Figure 2 : Traveling Davits System |
Traveling davits system is recommended when the roof is overcrowded.
The traveling rail is installed on the parapet wall instead of the roof slab. |
Temasek Tower
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Figure 1 : Temasek Tower |
For Temasek Tower, there is the provision of a permanent gondola system with fixed jibs. |
Figure 2 : Gondola with curved platform |
In order to suit the curving profile of the building, the gondola platform is connected in segments to form a curved platform.
This platform can reach the whole circular façade. |
Figure 3 : Glass extending from the underside of tower |
Figure 3 shows the panel of glass extending out from the underside of the tower. |
Figure 4 : Underside of the tower |
The extending glass panel creates accessibility problem for cleaning the underside of the tower. |
Figure 5 : Access problem at Temasek Tower |
The reason for the accessibility problem is due to the curved platform which cannot be rest on the glass panel.
In addition, the glass panel also disallows the use of boomlift to clean the underside of tower as it blocks the way when the boomlift rises. Hence, this area has never been cleaned. |
Figure 6 : Installation of tracks on the underside of tower |
The only solution is to install tracks round the circumference of the underside of the tower.
It is recommended that the radial length does not exceed 5m. It is because the length of gondola platform cannot exceed 5m by regulation. If the designer insists on designing it to be more than 5m long, he either has to apply for approval or build two tracks on the circumference such that the length of each gondola platform will not exceed 5m in length if the radial length is 10m. |
Raffles City
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Figure 1 : Raffles City |
The 72-storey Raffles City is clad with aluminium panels topped by one storey of sheer glass curtain-walling which is 5m high. |
Figure 2 : Trolley unit with luffing jibs |
It adopted the use of trolley unit with luffing jibs such that every part of the façade can be reached. |
Figure 3 : Tracks installed round the perimeter of roof top |
By designing the building with a spacious roof, it will reduce or eliminate the accessibility problems.
Tracks can be laid for the trolley unit to run along the circumference of the building such that every part of the building can be reached and cleaned with ease. |
