Monorail systems can be a great solution to a wide range of facade access needs.
They form part of CoxGomyl’s economical 1000 Series range for buildings of lower complexity and in themselves are a flexible solution for buildings up to 100 metres in height (depending on local regulations), especially where roof space is limited. However CoxGomyl’s monorail systems have also been used, in conjunction with other solutions, to address particular architectural challenges for buildings of much higher complexity.
One of the key benefits of a monorail system is that it requires no roof space and instead is installed on an aluminium track fixed to the side of the building or hung from under a recess. This is ideal for buildings which don’t offer enough space for a roof-mounted BMU, either because of the design or because the roof level is used for other purposes such as gardens, ventilation systems or elevator machinery.
The track can be run around corners or light curves in the facade and this is often an elegant solution which blends with the architectural aesthetic of the building without sacrificing functionality or safety. The track can be configured horizontally, vertically or on an incline to meet a wide range of building designs and facade access needs.
Some of the most high-profile and remarkable examples of CoxGomyl’s monorail systems in action include:
Goldin Financial Global Centre, Hong Kong
Among the challenges involved in providing a complete, integrated access solution with minimal visual impact were four areas which extrude from the main facade. These are serviced by four sets of monorail systems in each side of the South, North, East and West mega columns.
Oasia Hotel Downtown, Singapore
This development is at the cutting edge of the growing trend for sustainable practices and in particular the rise of the building garden. The building benefits from an open structure, incorporating four verdant ‘sky terraces’ to serve as urban verandas, sheltered by a sky garden with an open crown instead of a flat roof. The innovation involved in realising this sustainable vision needed equally inventive access solutions, including monorail systems on the underside of the soffit for access to the mid-level gardens.
Part of the comprehensive access solution for this stunning two-tower development was a series of monorail systems with self-powered cradles for access to the sky bridges running between the towers and the tower facades below the sky bridges.
Due to its unique shape and sloping facade, the iconic Shard of Glass project required a custom-made solution utilising the best of CoxGomyl’s extensive global resources. This solution included recessed monorails with power winch cradles inside the station concourse soffit which provide the necessary access functionality whilst maintaining the aesthetic of this iconic building.
Again, monorails were a key part of achieving an access solution which minimised the visual impact of the systems and preserved the exterior lines of the building. The structure consists of two towers built on one podium, with an iconic ‘twin sails’ design. Each tower has a total of six systems including a monorail concealed in the lower level soffit.
For a building access system that is flexible and able to blend seamlessly with the architectural aesthetics, a monorail system is an effective solution.
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