One Canada Square

As part of an ongoing lobby refurbishment, Canary Wharf Management opted to modernise the building's nine original revolving doors to improve the overall experience for tenants and visitors. The refurbishment included updating the existing entrances with a more advanced and efficient system. After thorough research and consultation, Canary Wharf Management chose to retrofit and repurpose the revolving doors to enhance performance, user safety, and security.

Following a rigorous tender process, Boon Edam was appointed as the trusted partner to complete the project due to our extensive knowledge and proven ability to find innovative solutions to complex challenges.

The Challenge

This project was a significant undertaking for us because, unlike other retrofit projects, we were retrofitting a door that was not originally manufactured or installed by Boon Edam. As a result, our team had to familiarise themselves with the original hydraulic-assisted system before moving forward.

Unlike a traditional revolving door, seven of the nine doors feature a bullnose glass design to give the appearance that the doors blend seamlessly with the façade. During an initial conversation, Canary Wharf Management highlighted that any retrofit must be carried out while retaining the historical structure of the doors. Therefore, we had to ensure that all upgrades were carefully thought out to preserve the aesthetic of the landmark building. In addition, with up to 10,000 people entering the lobby each day, it was essential that our work did not disrupt traffic flow in and out of One Canada Square.

The Solution

Our solution was multifaceted and required careful planning and coordination. The project evolved from an early concept to a detailed design, with our team producing drawings, visuals, and material finishes to help bring the client's vision to life. The installation was phased over a series of weekends to avoid disruption to the building's daily operations. We worked closely with Canary Wharf Management and the various subcontractors to create a detailed programme and coordinate logistics to ensure that all aspects of the project were completed seamlessly and that each installation went smoothly.

Given the limited space within the existing canopy, we needed to identify a solution to house the new drive and control box. In some instances, the drive and control can be installed beneath the door; however, this was not possible at One Canada Square because the floor is finished with high-quality marble. Our only option was to move upwards and create a canopy extension above each door. This extra space enabled us to upgrade the operation of each door to fully automatic while also installing Instant Lockdown for improved security. This feature enables building management to immediately secure the revolving doors at the push of a button. This fast-acting solution provides effective protection against intrusion and gives Canary Wharf Management greater control in the event of a threat or emergency. Moving the drive and control box into the canopy has also significantly improved the serviceability of the doors for the future.

As part of the upgrade and to ensure compliance with the latest British Safety Standards, we installed state-of-the-art safety features, including sensors, buffers and emergency stop buttons, to improve safety and accessibility for tenants and visitors.

To achieve a high-quality finish, our team installed new, custom-made doorsets that are designed with larger profiles than a traditional Boon Edam revolving door. By increasing the size of our profiles, we achieved the desired finish, which aligns perfectly with the existing structure. In addition, our experts went over and above to ensure the new canopy and profiles matched the original stainless-steel finish. While this process took multiple attempts to get right, the results truly speak for themselves. The extended canopy and door profiles align with the original door design, perfectly matching the building's exterior and meeting the high standards of Canary Wharf Management.

One Canada Square is now equipped with a state-of-the-art door entry system that further enhances the safety and security of the building. Our team's ability to overcome complex challenges and deliver a custom-made solution has ensured that the revolving doors not only improve accessibility and efficiency but blend with the building's iconic architecture. The new automatic doors facilitate the entry and exit of up to 10,000 people per day and have significantly improved the experience for the building's tenants.

Following the success of the project, Canary Wharf Management opted into a premium warranty maintenance agreement to ensure the new revolving doors remain in top condition. With a premium agreement, One Canada Square benefits from a 4-hour response time, out-of-hours servicing and two scheduled service visits per year.

Due to the high throughput and popularity of the building, Canary Wharf Management chose to invest in critical spares to minimise downtime in the event of a breakdown. By having critical spares available on-site, our technicians are able to quickly repair faults without delays caused by lead times, meaning they receive a faster, more efficient service.

Despite the challenges posed by the design of the original revolving doors, we successfully delivered a custom solution that exceeded the client's expectations. Our attention to detail and expertise in coordination, logistics and installation allowed for a seamless retrofit that was completed on schedule and with minimal disruption to the building's operations.

It is a great example of collaboration between multiple parties who all came together to achieve an outstanding result. The new revolving doors are now an integral part of the building's security system and will continue to serve the needs of occupants and visitors for many years to come.

This project is a testament to the effectiveness of retrofitting and how it can be used to improve building security, safety, and accessibility. It also demonstrates our commitment to providing custom solutions that cater to the unique needs of each project.