Wandsworth Exchange
The Challenge
This London & Quadrant development is in the middle of Wandsworth Town Centre, adjacent to the South Thames College Wandsworth campus on Wandsworth High Street. The surrounding area comprises mixed residential and commercial units and a Quaker meeting hall.
The project involved the new build of four buildings ranging 6-26 storeys, providing 201 mixed tenure residential homes, with basement car parking, retail and commercial space, and a new public library to replace the existing adjacent one.
The Solution
After award, our design and delivery teams reviewed the current design and developed a cladding solution with L&Q that involved a Gebrik system rather than traditional masonry. This change, using Modern Methods of Construction, provided them with improved programme buildability and mitigated the potential impact of shortage of skilled labour.
The project was delivered using BIM Level 2 collaboration, while the construction was RC Frame with SFS infill and brick slip cladding. Associated hard and soft landscaping included areas of public realm and play space, and public pedestrian access routes through the site, including access into the Old Burial Ground. 41 basement car parking spaces were also provided, together with 349 cycle spaces.
The site has a long history of industrial usage; following soil investigation surveys and testing a well-considered soil remediation strategy was developed and approved by the planners to minimise cost and programme impact.
Owing to the town centre location, with the busy South Circular road adjacent, a detailed logistics plan and just in time deliveries were required.
The Impact
Following the Grenfell Tower Fire, we redesigned the façade to now incorporate A-Class products (Corium System). During the tender stage we suggested using mast climbers in lieu of scaffolding. This benefited L&Q by improving the overall programme and a cost saving of c.£350,000.
