Our Credit Suisse Link Bridge project, delivered in JV with Dowds, consisted of the removal of a link bridge between two existing office buildings, 17 and 20 Columbus Courtyard, and façade upgrade to establish two separate office buildings with improved thermal performance.
Procured through a 2-stage design & build route, we utilised our extensive 2 stage design & build experience to ensure that the client’s requirements are fully realised by the final design. This included weekly design review meetings, managed by our inhouse Design Manager.
Specialist Construction Methods
Throughout the PCSA period, we have worked closely with our demolition supply chain to develop a methodology for the removal of the Link Bridge which would cause minimal disruption, either acoustic or vibration, to the ongoing sensitive banking operations within the 17CC building. We tested the client’s initial proposal to traditionally demolish the Link Bridge utilising a Brokk machine. However, this transpired to cause excessive noise and vibration disruption to the Credit Suisse building operations. Therefore, across the PCSA, we developed a sequential cut and lift method. This involves methodically cutting sections of the link bridge and removing via tower crane, thereby minimising vibration and noise, allowing Credit Suisse operations to continue unhindered.
Through the design period we worked closely with our specialist façade supplier, Permateelisa, to identify a suitable replacement façade to improve the thermal performance. We identified a unitised system, offering improved quality and satisfying the client’s specified u-value requirements.
Client
Credit Suisse
Significant Site Restrictions
Working in Canary Wharf brought numerous specific restrictions. We liaised effectively with the Tower Hamlets Authority, to source the specific requirements for working in Canary Wharf, such as permits and oversailing licences.
We also developed an 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 are sourced in a timely manner and are not causing programme delay.
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,
Given the nature of the works, a critical challenge was delivering the project under 2 main contracts, one with each building end user. Our robust contract management procedure has been key to administering this effectively. We utilised Aconex for all project correspondence, including design information, programme updates, early warnings and compensation events. This has created a fully auditable and transparent chain of information, helping to establish the culture of collaboration we endeavour to instil on all of our projects, in line with our ISO 45001 Collaborative Working accreditation.
