Our 17CC Enabling Works scheme, delivered in a JV with Dowds, was a continuation of an existing relationship with a client at Canary Wharf.
Works included demolition of a 9-storey spiral staircase, as well as installation of new structural steelwork throughout the building and new low density concrete topping to improve the loading capacity for a follow-on life science fit-out.
Our sequence of works fast-tracked the demolition of the spiral staircase to create an opening for the structural steel to be transported up the building. Once the slab openings were created on each floor, we could install an A-frame hoist on the 9th floor for vertical distribution of the steel. Horizontal distribution of the steel was via tracked carriers and steel was lifted into place using genie lifts.
Within the tender documentation, the client had proposed to create an opening in the ground floor façade with a loading gantry. Informed by our experience of working within Canary Wharf, we determined that this would not be suitable given issues relating to securing licences from Tower Hamlets Authority, as well as significant risk of delay caused by inclement weather.
We therefore developed an alternative methodology, which was ultimately accepted by the client. Our alternative methodology consisted of utilising the existing basement loading bay, which we accessed by cutting a hole through the ground floor slab, allowing distribution of the steel via a wholly enclosed route, negating the need for Local Authority licences and mitigating the weather risk. Creating the opening also facilitated a static line from the loading bay through the rest of the building floorplates via an existing riser.
Client
LS Estates
Operating under a design & build contract, during the tender period, we identified a number of surveys required to enable us to accept full design liability. The client instructed these under a Letter of Intent and they included:
- Structural Integrity Survey including testing of concrete
- Structural Investigation including opening up works to check location, size and number of rebar.
- Lower Ground Structural Investigation to check foundations size and capacity
- Geotechnical survey trial pits
- Façade investigation to ascertain fixing details and confirm movement joists in place to mitigate risk of cracking.
- Asbestos Survey
Situated within the Columbus Courtyard at the heart of Canary Wharf in central London, the logistics for this project were extremely challenging. We developed a robust traffic management plan, identifying clear routes for vehicle movements, parking restrictions and a weekly waste removal schedule agreed with supply chain to avoid congestion of ‘waiting’ vehicles, which accounts for peak traffic times on and around the site. A full time Traffic Marshall was employed to control the movement of lorries in and around the site.
We worked collaboratively with key stakeholders that included Canary Wharf, Tower Hamlets, Arcadis and local residents and businesses. We utilised our excellent working relationship with Canary Wharf Group, who own the estate and manage the service yard, ensuring that the necessary permissions for delivery and logistics were sourced in a timely manner and are not causing programme delay.
Recognising vibration as a key driver for the client, we liaised with the Structural Engineers throughout the tender process to develop a quality control process for testing the vibration at the completion of each floor. We worked to determine acceptable parameters for vibration levels at that point of construction, which gave confidence that the overall vibration threshold would be met upon the completion of the subsequent fitout, ensuring that the building is fit for end-user requirements.
