Schöck, a specialist in the provision of advanced solutions for thermal energy structural insulation, was chosen to supply the structural thermal break modules for a regeneration project in London.

London’s three historic embankments – Chelsea, Victoria and Albert – are currently being transformed as part of a regeneration scheme replacing many of the outdated buildings which have characterised these areas for so long. It will see the development of new homes, promenades and parks – and one of these commanding new developments, on the north bank of the Thames, is Riverwalk, at Millbank.

Riverwalk features two organically shaped buildings of seven and seventeen storeys, connected by a central podium and incorporating 116 high specification one, two, three and four bedroom apartments, plus penthouses. The design focus is on light, space, service and exceptional views across the Thames. Aesthetically the buildings are enhanced by horizontal bands of limestone on the curving facades between the glazing and ceramic panels, with the stonework wrapping around the lower parts of the balconies to create a continuous organic shape.

With such a high specification development, early consideration was given to the avoidance of the thermal bridging at the critical balcony connections; and the structural thermal break module specified throughout is the latest generation Isokorb type KXT from market leaders Schöck.

The type KXT – for concrete-to-concrete applications – offers such a high level of insulation that the Passivhaus Institute in Darmstadt has awarded the product with the "low thermal bridge construction" certificate and confirmed its suitability even for passivhaus construction.

A major reason for the superior performance of the Isokorb type KXT is the thickness of the insulation body. This is increased from the standard 80mm thick to 120mm, providing an even more efficient solution. The KXT not only improves thermal insulation performance by up to 30% in comparison to to the standard range, it also improves impact sound insulation by around 50% as well.