Balcony

Abstract

In various embodiments, the present invention provides balconies for attachment to a building façade. The balconies have a depth direction perpendicular to a face of the building to which the balcony

Description

Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a balcony and to a method of fitting a balcony to a building or other structure. Background Balconies are common architectural features in residential and commercial buildings, offering outdoor space and enhancing the aesthetic appeal of a structure. Traditionally, balconies have been constructed as extensions of concrete floor slabs, with a concrete balcony slab being directly connected to the building structure. While this design simplifies construction and ensures structural integrity, it results in a continuous thermal bridge between the interior and exterior of the building. Such thermal bridging can lead to significant heat loss, increased energy consumption for heating or cooling, and the potential for condensation and mold growth at the connection points. A further known problem with traditional concrete balconies is that concrete balconies add significant weight to the building structure, and may cause difficulties with the installation of unitised fapade systems. To address these thermal inefficiencies, thermally broken balcony systems were subsequently developed, which incorporate materials with low thermal conductivity, such as insulating layers or thermal breaks, within the structural connection between the balcony and the building. Such designs effectively reduce thermal transfer while maintaining structural performance. These developments address the thermal issues associated with concrete balconies, but do not address the problems associated with the weight of the systems, or the difficulties with the installation of unitised fapade systems. Yet further developments have been made which address all three of these problems: ‘glide-on’ balcony systems such as those proposed in GB2507365B employ arrangements in which a metal balcony frame is attached to a building or other construction by dropping or sliding the balcony onto pre-fitted stubs. Such arrangements address all of the problems noted above, allowing for systems which have low thermal bridging, low weight, and allow for simple installation of unitised fapade systems. However, such systems bring their own problems: in particular, such balcony systems require multiple more complex connections to the building fapade in view of the requirement for them to be attached via the concrete slabs of the building structure, which are relatively thin, which increase cost of the system. In spite of the effort already invested in the development of balcony systems which address the above problems, further improvements are desirable. The present invention has been devised in light of the above considerations. Summary of the Invention The present inventors have realised that one possible solution to the above problems would be to provide a balcony system which is configured to attach to the building fapade via concrete columns in the building structure (which extend vertically to carry forces down to the building footings), rather than via the concrete slabs which make up the floors and ceilings of the building structure. By providing such arrangements, the number of attachments to the building, and the complexity of the connections can be minimised, thereby allowing for lower cost systems that are easier to install. However, one significant difficulty with such arrangements is that columns of a building structure are often widely spaced, e.g. at distances of up to around 7m apart. This raises new challenges in terms of providing a balcony structure which is capable of spanning such distances without adding significant weight to the building structure, or without requiring excessive reinforcement. The present inventors have realised that it is possible to provide a balcony that addresses these issues by providing a balcony having reinforcing structures that provide additional support across the balcony span, that therefore allow for use of lighter-weight materials for the balcony whilst maintaining suitable structural strength for the balcony. Accordingly, in a first aspect, the present invention provides a balcony for attachment to a building fapade, the balcony having a depth direction perpendicular to a face of the building to which the balcony is to be attached, a width direction perpendicular to the depth direction and parallel to the face of the building, and a height direction perpendicular to the depth direction and width direction and oriented upright when the balcony is attached to the building, wherein a rear of the balcony is for location adjacent the building and a front of the balcony projects from the building, the balcony comprising: a framework structure including a plurality of lateral structural beams which extend in the width direction, and a plurality of depthwise structural beams which extend in the depth direction; and a load transfer assembly comprising at least one load transfer member arranged to transfer load from an intermediate region of a first lateral structural beam to another part of the balcony framework structure, to thereby provide increased resistance to bending of the first lateral structural beam; wherein the load transfer member is coupled to the intermediate region of the first lateral structural beam at a first attachment point, and coupled to the other part of the balcony framework structure at an second attachment point, the second attachment point being higher than the first attachment point in the height direction, and being located outboard of the first attachment point in one or both of the width direction or the depth direction. By providing an arrangement in which at least one of the lateral structural beams of the balcony framework is supported by load transfer assembly arranged to transfer load from an intermediate region of a first lateral structural beam to another part of the balcony framework structure, to thereby provide increased resistance to bending of the first lateral structural beam, the beam’s resistance to deflection under applied vertical loads can be increased. In this way, the load transfer assembly acts as a reinforcing structure that provides additional support across the balcony span (i.e. lateral stiffening of the balcony), thereby allowing for use of lighter-weight materials for the balcony whilst maintaining suitable structural strength for the balcony. In particular, the provision of arrangements in which the second attachment point is both higher than and outboard of the first attachment point allows for effective load transfer of the An intermediate region of a beam is defined herein as a region that is greater than 10% of the overall length of the beam from respective end points of the beam. That is, the intermediate region of the beam may comprise a region extending for 80% of the total length of the beam, about the mid-point of the beam. The terms ‘outboard’ and ‘inboard’ as used herein are used as positional descriptors to define the relationship between two or more locations on the balcony. The term ‘outboard’ is used to define a position which is located further toward the perimeter of the balcony than the reference point. The term ‘inboard’ is used to define a position which is located further toward the centre of the balcony than the reference point. Accordingly, a position which is located outboard of the first attachment point in one or both of the width direction or the depth direction is a position which is located further toward the perimeter of the balcony than the first attachment point, in one or both of the width direction or the depth direction. The framework structure includes a plurality of lateral structural beams which extend in the width direction, and a plurality of depthwise structural beams which extend in the depth direction. In preferred arrangements, the framework structure includes at least two lateral structural beams which extend in the width direction, thereby defining front and back beams of the framework structure, and at least two depthwise structural beams which extend in the depth direction, thereby defining leftmost and rightmost beams of the framework structure. In some arrangements, the framework structure comprises one or more intermediate lateral and / or depthwise structural beams between the front and back, or between the leftmost and rightmost structural beams respectively. A wide range of possible structures for the load transfer assembly can be contemplated. Preferably, the load transfer assembly comprises two or more upper attachment points, and at least one lower attachment point. However, it is also contemplated that in some arrangements, two or more lower attachment points may be provided. In some arrangements, a plurality of upper and lower attachment points may be provided. Where the beam comprises a plurality (i.e. two or more) of upper and / or lower attachment points, the beam may comprise a corresponding plurality of load transfer members. It will be appreciated that the attachment points for the load transfer member(s) may be located at any suitable position within the beam that provides suitable load distribution within the beam. For example, the load transfer member(s) may be attached directly to the lower and upper internal surfaces of the beam or may be attached to intermediate structures such as bracket, anchors, or reinforcement members embedded within or otherwise attached to the beam. In preferred arrangements, the first attachment point and the second attachment point may be located on the same lateral structural beam. However, other arrangements are also contemplated: for example, in a first alternative arrangement, the second attachment point may be located on another lateral structure beam of the plurality of lateral structural beams. In a second alternative arrangement, the second attachment point may be located on a depthwise structure beam. Where the first attachment point and the second attachment point are located on the same lateral structural beam, the load transfer assembly may be located within said lateral structural beam. In other words, the load transfer assembly may be an internal load transfer assembly (internal to the relevant beam). In other arrangements, the load transfer assembly may be located outside of said lateral structural beam. In other words, the load transfer assembly may be an external load transfer assembly (external to the relevant beam). The use of internal load transfer assemblies may be preferred, as this can give a lower-profile structure. The balcony may comprise a plurality of load transfer assemblies arranged to support respective lateral structural beams. The load transfer assembly may comprise two or more load transfer members, i..e a plurality of load transfer members. The number of load transfer member is not particular limited and in some cases three, four, five, six, or load transfer members may be provided. The load transfer members may be arranged to be in tension. This can help to ensure suitably increased resistance to bending of the first lateral structural beam. In some arrangements, one or more of the load transfer member(s) may extend along a straight path. In other arrangements, one or more of the load transfer member(s) may follow a curved or angled trajectory. The load transfer member may be formed of a material having a higher Young’s modulus than the material of the first lateral structural beam. By selecting to use a material having a higher Young’s modulus for the load transfer member, more effective stiffening of the lateral structural beam may be achieved. The load transfer member may be formed from a metal material. Conveniently, the load transfer member is formed from steel, optionally stainless steel. The specific material for the load transfer member may be selected based on structural demands and environmental conditions. Whilst use of stainless steel may be preferred, it is contemplated that the load transfer member could alternatively be formed from other suitable load-bearing materials such as a composite material (e.g. carbon-fibre reinforced polymer). The balcony framework structure may be substantially formed from aluminum. This can ensure that the framework structure is suitable lightweight. The shape of the load transfer member is not particular limited. Conveniently, the load transfer member may comprise a wire or cable (a cable constituting a plurality of wires wrapped together to form said cable). In other arrangements, the load transfer member may comprise a strip of material (e.g. a square or rectangular strip or material), or a rod-like structure. Where the load transfer member comprises a wire or cable, the wire or cable may have a diameter of at least 5 mm (e.g. 6 mm or more, 7 mm or more, 8 mm or more, 9 mm or more or 10 mm or more). Preferably the wire or cable has a diameter in a range of from e.g. 10mm to 20 mm. Such arrangement may offer a suitable balance of strength to weight for the load transfer member. The precise form of the lateral and / or the depthwise structural beams is not particularly limited. Conveniently, the lateral and / or the depthwise structural beams are C-section beams. Use ofC-section beams can allow for the load transfer member(s) to be arranged within the interior of the C-section shape of the beam, providing a low-profile arrangement. The first lateral structural beam may have a maximum vertical deflection of no more than 5 mm when subjected to a vertical point load of 2 kN at any position on the balcony, when supported by the load transfer assembly. In some arrangements, the first lateral structural beam may have a maximum vertical deflection of greater than 5 mm when subjected to a vertical point load of 2 kN without the support of the load transfer assembly (i.e. when the deflection of the beam is measured in isolation from the rest of the balcony structure), and the provision of the load transfer assembly provides increased resistance to bending of the first lateral structural beam in the sense that addition of the load transfer assembly (i.e. when the balcony is in an assembled state) reduces the maximum vertical deflection of the beam to be no more than 5 mm when subjected to a vertical point load of 2 kN at any position on the balcony. The balcony may further comprise a balustrade having a Vierendeel girder structure. A Vierendeel girder is a type of structural beam characterized by its lack of diagonal bracing within its panels, distinguishing it from conventional trusses. Instead, it consists of a rectangular framework made up of rigidly connected horizontal and vertical members, forming a grid-like structure. The absence of diagonal members means that the girder relies primarily on the bending and shear strength of its components, as well as the rigidity of the connections, to resist loads. A balustrade that has such a structure can act as a reinforcing structure that provides additional support across the balcony span (i.e. lateral stiffening of the balcony), thereby allowing for use of lighter-weight materials for the balcony framework whilst maintaining suitable structural strength for the balcony. Whilst the use of a balustrade having a Vierendeel girder structure find particular synergy in combination with arrangements in which a load transfer assembly is provided as discussed above, it is contemplated that use of a balustrade having a Vierendeel girder structure may find utility even in arrangements where a load transfer assembly is not provided. Accordingly, in a second aspect, the present invention provides a balcony for attachment to a building fapade, the balcony having a depth direction perpendicular to a face of the building to which the balcony is to be attached, a width direction perpendicular to the depth direction and parallel to the face of the building, and a height direction perpendicular to the depth direction and width direction and oriented upright when the balcony is attached to the building, wherein a rear of the balcony is for location adjacent the building and a front of the balcony projects from the building, the balcony comprising: a framework structure including a plurality of lateral structural beams which extend in the width direction, and a plurality of depthwise structural beams which extend in the depth direction; and a balustrade having a Vierendeel girder structure, the balustrade being attached to the framework structure. The balustrade having a Vierendeel girder structure may comprise a plurality of vertically extending balusters, the plurality of balusters each being fixedly attached at their respective ends to first and second laterally-extending structural balustrade members. The first laterally-extending structural balustrade member may comprise a handrail member attached to the upper end of the plurality of balusters. The second laterally-extending structural balustrade member may comprise a structural plate attached to the lower end of the plurality of balusters. The balustrade may have a maximum vertical deflection of no more than 20 mm when subjected to a vertical line load of 1.5kN per linear metre. The balcony may be configured to attach to the building fapade via concrete columns in the building structure. Accordingly, the balcony may have a lateral span of greater than 6 m, e.g. 6.5 m or more, or 7 m or more. In a third aspect, the present invention provides a building, comprising mounting structures secured to and projecting from the building fapade, and further comprising a balcony attached to the mounting structures, the balcony being a balcony according to either the first or second aspects. In a fourth aspect, the present invention provides a method of installation of the balcony according to either the first or second aspects, wherein the method includes attaching the framework structure to mounting structures secured to and projecting from a building fapade. It is contemplated that a wide array of mounting structures could be employed: for example, the mounting structures may comprise beams, brackets or stubs that are secured to and project from the building fapade. The balcony may be supported by at least two mounting structures secured to and projecting from a building fapade, each mounting structure being arranged to support a respective lateral edge of the respective balcony. It will be appreciated that the framework structure may be configured for attachment to the building fapade via one or more such mounting structures in a conventional manner, e.g. by securing the framework structure of the mounting structure(s) using bolts or other convenient fixings. The invention includes the combination of the aspects and preferred features described except where such a combination is clearly impermissible or expressly avoided. Summary of the Figures Embodiments and experiments illustrating the principles of the invention will now be discussed with reference to the accompanying figures in which: Figure 1 is a schematic view of balconies attached to the fapade of a building. Figure 2 is a perspective view of a balcony and part of a building fapade. Figure 3 is a perspective view of the balcony of Fig. 2 Figure 4 is a perspective view of a rear lateral structural beam of the balcony of Fig. 3, showing a load transfer assembly. Figure 5 (a)-(e) show various arrangements of load transfer assemblies for incorporation in balconies according to the present invention. Detailed Description of the Invention Aspects and embodiments of the present invention will now be discussed with reference to the accompanying figures. Further aspects and embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art. All documents mentioned in this text are incorporated herein by reference. Figure 1 is a schematic view of balconies 100 attached to a fapade 60 of building 50. The balcony has a depth direction D perpendicular to the face of the building to which the balcony is to be attached, a width direction W perpendicular to the depth direction and parallel to the face of the building, and a height direction H perpendicular to the depth direction and width direction and oriented substantially vertically. The building has a height direction Hbuiiding. The building has at least two building arms 62a, 62b (not shown in Figure 1, but visible in Fig. 2) at each balcony installation location, said building arms constituting mounting structures secured to and projecting from a building fapade. Each building arm 62a, b is arranged to support a respective lateral edge of a balcony. Figure 2 shows a perspective view of the balcony 100 together with part of a building fapade, showing building arms 62a, 62b. The balcony is shown alone in Fig. 3. The balcony 100 comprises a rectangular framework structure 110 including two lateral structural beams which extend in the width direction, defining a front and back beam of the framework structure, and two depthwise structural beams which extend in the depth direction, defining leftmost and rightmost structural beams of the framework structure. The framework structure is conveniently formed from aluminium, to be suitably lightweight. The balcony further comprises a deck structure 120, as well as a balustrade 130. The balustrade has a Vierendeel girder structure: that is, it comprises a rectangular framework made up of rigidly connected horizontal and vertical members, forming a grid-like structure, and no diagonal members. Specifically, the balustrade comprises a plurality of vertically extending balusters 131, the plurality of balusters each being fixedly attached at their respective ends to first and second laterally-extending structural balustrade members, wherein the first laterally-extending structural balustrade comprises a handrail 133 attached to the upper end of the plurality of balusters 131, and wherein the second laterally-extending structural balustrade member comprises a structural plate 135 attached to the lower end of the plurality of balusters 131. As a result of the Vierendeel girder structure of the balustrade, it is able to provide a maximum vertical deflection of no more than 20 mm when subjected to a vertical line load of 1.5kN per linear metre. The balustrade therefore acts as a reinforcing structure that provides additional support across the balcony span (i.e. lateral stiffening of the balcony), thereby allowing for use of lighter-weight materials for the balcony framework whilst maintaining suitable structural strength for the balcony. In addition to the Vierendeel girder structure balustrade, the balcony also comprises a load transfer assembly arranged to transfer load from an intermediate region of the balcony framework structure to provides additional support across the balcony span (i.e. lateral stiffening of the balcony). This is not visible in Fig. 2 or Fig. 3, but is shown in Fig. 4, which is a perspective view of a lateral structural beam 111 of the balcony framework 110 of Fig. 3. This structural beam extends across the entire lateral width of the balcony framework structure. The beam has a C-section profile, and a load transfer assembly 140 arranged within the interior space of the beam - in other words, the load transfer assembly is an internal load transfer assembly. Whilst a single beam is shown, it will be appreciated that any or all lateral structural beams (e.g. rear, front and / or intermediate beams), forming part of the balcony framework structure could comprise a load transfer arrangement as shown in Fig. 3. The load transfer assembly comprises first and second load transfer members 141 a,b, which are conveniently provided as 5mm diameter steel cables (although it will be understood that the precise diameter and material can be varied as suits the particular arrangement in question). Each of load transfer members 141 a,b, are coupled to an intermediate region of the lateral structural beam: in this arrangement, they are coupled to an anchor block 143 located at a midpoint of the lateral structural beam, which provides a first attachment point. Whilst in this arrangement, two load transfer members 141a, b are shown, it will also be appreciated that a similar arrangement could be provided using a single load transfer member coupled to the anchor block 143 at the midpoint of the single load transfer member. Each of the load transfer members 141 a, b are also coupled to lateral regions of the lateral structural beam via anchor blocks provided at each respective end of the lateral structural beam (not visible), said anchor blocks providing second attachment points which are both higher than the first attachment point in the height direction, and located outboard of the first attachment point in the width direction. In this way, the load transfer assembly transfer loads (e.g. loads resulting from the weight of balcony components) from the intermediate region of the lateral structural beam to the lateral regions of the same beam, whereby the loads can be effectively transfer to building arms 62a,b. This arrangement allows the lateral structural beam to have a maximum vertical deflection of no more than 5 mm when subjected to a vertical point load of 2 kN at any position on the balcony. Whilst the balcony of this embodiment includes both a Vierendeel girder structure balustrade 130, and a load transfer assembly 140, it will be appreciated that either of these structures could be used in isolation in alternative balcony arrangements. However, a synergistic effect of improved lateral stiffening of the balcony is provided as a result of the combination of both of these structures in a single balcony. Various other arrangements for the load transfer assembly are possible. Figs. 5 (a)-(e) show various schematic arrangements of load transfer assemblies according to the present invention: Fig. 5(a) shows the load transfer assembly 140 of Fig. 3 in a schematic form. The load transfer assembly comprises a single lower attachment point 143 provided by an anchor block located at the mid-point of the beam, and two upper attachment points 145 a, b, provided by anchor blocks located at lateral edges of the beam. Fig. 5(b) shows an alternative arrangement for a load transfer assembly 240. The load transfer assembly comprises three lower attachment point 243 a, b, c located within an intermediate region of the beam, and two upper attachment points 245 a, b provided at lateral edges of the beam. A load transfer member 241 couples each of the three lower attachment points with the upper attachment points. Fig. 5(c) shows an alternative arrangement for a load transfer assembly 340. The load transfer assembly comprises two lower attachment point 343 a, b located within an intermediate region of the beam, and two upper attachment points 345 a, b provided at lateral edges of the beam. A plurality of load transfer members 341 a, b, c, d couple the lower attachment points with the upper attachment points. Fig. 5(d) shows an alternative arrangement for a load transfer assembly 440. The load transfer assembly comprises three lower attachment point 443 a, b, c located within an intermediate region of the beam, and four upper attachment points 445 a, b, c, d equally spaced along an upper surface of the inside of the beam. A plurality of load transfer members 441 a, b, c, d couple the attachment points with the upper attachment points. Each lower attachment point is coupled to at least one upper attachment point that is located outboard of itself in the width direction. Fig. 5(e) shows an alternative arrangement for a load transfer assembly 540 which is generally similar to the arrangement of Fig. 5(a), but where the load transfer assembly is an external load transfer assembly (located outside of the beam). Similarly to the arrangement of Fig. 5(a), The load transfer assembly comprises a single lower attachment point 543 located at the mid-point of the beam, and two upper attachment points 545a, b, located at lateral edges of the beam. The lower attachment point is provided by an anchor block which extends downwardly from a lower exterior surface of the beam. *** The features disclosed in the foregoing description, or in the following claims, or in the accompanying drawings, expressed in their specific forms or in terms of a means for performing the disclosed function, or a method or process for obtaining the disclosed results, as appropriate, may, separately, or in any combination of such features, be utilised for realising the invention in diverse forms thereof. While the invention has been described in conjunction with the exemplary embodiments described above, many equivalent modifications and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art when given this disclosure. Accordingly, the exemplary embodiments of the invention set forth above are considered to be illustrative and not limiting. Various changes to the described embodiments may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. For the avoidance of any doubt, any theoretical explanations provided herein are provided for the purposes of improving the understanding of a reader. The inventors do not wish to be bound by any of these theoretical explanations. Any section headings used herein are for organizational purposes only and are not to be construed as limiting the subject matter described. Throughout this specification, including the claims which follow, unless the context requires otherwise, the word “comprise” and “include”, and variations such as “comprises”, “comprising”, and “including” will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or step or group of integers or steps but not the exclusion of any other integer or step or group of integers or steps. It must be noted that, as used in the specification and the appended claims, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Ranges may be expressed herein as from “about” one particular value, and / or to “about” another particular value. When such a range is expressed, another embodiment includes from the one particular value and / or to the other particular value. Similarly, when values are expressed as approximations, by the use of the antecedent “about,” it will be understood that the particular value forms another embodiment. The term “about” in relation to a numerical value is optional and means for example + / -10%.

Claims

1. A balcony for attachment to a building facade, the balcony having a depth direction perpendicular to a face of the building to which the balcony is to be attached, a width direction perpendicular to the depth direction and parallel to the face of the building, and a height direction perpendicular to the depth direction and width direction and oriented upright when the balcony is attached to the building, wherein a rear of the balcony is for location adjacent the building and a front of the balcony projects from the building, the balcony comprising:a framework structure including a plurality of lateral structural beams which extend in the width direction, and a plurality of depthwise structural beams which extend in the depth direction; anda load transfer assembly comprising at least one load transfer member arranged to transfer load from an intermediate region of a first lateral structural beam to another part of the balcony framework structure, to thereby provide increased resistance to bending of the first lateral structural beam;wherein the load transfer member is coupled to the intermediate region of the first lateral structural beam at a first attachment point, and coupled to the other part of the balcony framework structure at an second attachment point, the second attachment point being higher than the first attachment point in the height direction, and being located outboard of the first attachment point in one or both of the width direction or the depth direction.

2. The balcony according to claim 1 wherein the first attachment point and the second attachment point are located on the same lateral structural beam.

3. The balcony according to claim 2 wherein the load transfer assembly is located within said lateral structural beam.

4. The balcony according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the balcony comprises a plurality of load transfer assemblies arranged to support respective lateral structural beams.

5. The balcony according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the load transfer assembly comprises two or more load transfer members.

6. The balcony according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the load transfer member is arranged to be in tension.

7. The balcony according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the load transfer member is formed of a material having a higher Young’s modulus than the material of the first lateral structural beam.

8. The balcony according to claim 7 wherein the load transfer member is formed from steel, optionally stainless steel.

9. The balcony according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the load transfer member comprises a wire or cable.

10. The balcony according to claim 9 wherein the wire or cable has a diameter of at least 5 mm, preferably at least 10 mm.

11. The balcony according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the lateral and / or the depthwise structural beams are C-section beams.

12. The balcony according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the first lateral structural beam has a maximum vertical deflection of no more than 5 mm when subjected to a vertical point load of 2 kN at any position on the balcony.

13. The balcony according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the balcony further comprises a balustrade having a Vierendeel girder structure.

14. A balcony for attachment to a building fapade, the balcony having a depth direction perpendicular to a face of the building to which the balcony is to be attached, a width direction perpendicular to the depth direction and parallel to the face of the building, and a height direction perpendicular to the depth direction and width direction and oriented upright when the balcony is attached to the building, wherein a rear of the balcony is for location adjacent the building and a front of the balcony projects from the building, the balcony comprising:a framework structure including a plurality of lateral structural beams which extend in the width direction, and a plurality of depthwise structural beams which extend in the depth direction; anda balustrade having a Vierendeel girder structure, the balustrade being attached to the framework structure.

15. The balcony according to claim 13 or claim 14 wherein the balustrade having a Vierendeel girder structure comprises a plurality of vertically extending balusters, the plurality of balusters each being fixedly attached at their respective ends to first and second laterally-extending structural balustrade members.

16. The balcony according to claim 15 wherein the first laterally-extending structural balustrade member comprises a handrail member attached to the upper end of the plurality of balusters.

17. The balcony according to claim 15 or claim 16 wherein the second laterally-extending structural balustrade member comprises a structural plate attached to the lower end of the plurality of balusters.

18. The balcony according to any one of claims 13 to 17 wherein the balustrade has a maximum vertical deflection of no more than 20 mm when subjected to a vertical line load of 1.5kN per linear metre.

19. The balcony according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the balcony has a lateral span of greater than 6 m.5 20. The balcony according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the balcony frameworkstructure is substantially formed from aluminum.

21. A building, comprising mounting structures secured to and projecting from the building fapade, and further comprising a balcony attached to the mounting structures, the balcony being a balcony10 according to any one of claims 1 to 20.

22. A method of installation of the balcony according to any one of claims 1 to 20, wherein the method includes attaching the framework structure to mounting structures secured to and projecting from a building fapade.s

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