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The structure

The primary structure was a 3-storey reinforced concrete frame which we constructed on a piled foundation, with stability being provided by six concrete cores and shear walls distributed evenly through the building. Pile caps were designed as tapered thickenings in the slab and poured integrally with it to reduce overall build time. The use of prefabricated reinforcement cages also sped up the process.

Above level 2, the perimeter columns and walls within the core areas extended up to roof level. The roof was a long span structure with primary steel beams spanning 27m and timber fins at 1.5m centres, spanning 18m and 21m, to support a lightweight roof deck and skylights.

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4D programming

BIM was central to the smooth running of the project and enabled design and construction to take place within a tight timetable. Arup originated the BIM model as a federated model, and this was utilised by the project team for 4D programming to plan logistics strategies on this very tight site.

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Energy Centre

The Energy Centre to the south of the site was a steel frame construction with composite metal decking and a reinforced concrete topping.

Sustainability

We worked with Arup to reduce the impact of concrete by using 40% PFA cement replacement and 100% stent secondary aggregates in the concrete substructure. This reduced embodied carbon by 37%. This contributed to the overall sustainability of the building which exceeded the client’s targets for operational and embodied carbon and achieved BREEAM 2011 ‘excellent’ environmental rating.