Basement construction at large new development

Battersea Power Station, London

Project Overview

Location	Battersea Power Station, London
Sector	Building
Products	Groundworks

Stood empty since 1983, the former Battersea Power Station is at the heart of one of central London’s largest new developments.

The iconic Grade II listed building and surrounding area is being brought back to life with luxury accommodation and a leisure development.

The challenge

The development required the construction of a huge basement sub-structure to allow the construction of the first new complex. The new building is the Energy Centre, which features a double-storey basement in an excavation measuring approximately 90m long x 32m wide and 9m deep. Although large in area, the site footprint did present numerous constraints with the existing power station to the west, the river Thames to the north, overground railway to the west and a busy road network to the south.

We were approached by O’Keefe Construction who were in search of a bespoke proprietary system which would meet all of their design and logistical requirements but also fundamentally allow them to meet their strict programme and construction deadlines.

Landmark Regeneration

Vacant since 1983, Battersea Power Station sits at the centre of one of London’s largest redevelopment projects. The Grade II listed landmark is being transformed into luxury residential and leisure space.

Major Basement Excavation

The first new complex — the Energy Centre — required a double-storey basement within an excavation approximately 90m long, 32m wide and 9m deep, surrounded by the existing power station, the River Thames, rail infrastructure and busy roads.

Bespoke Support Solution

Appointed by O’Keefe Construction, we developed a tailored proprietary system to meet demanding design and logistical constraints, enabling the project to progress safely and efficiently.

Our solution

We worked very closely with O’Keefe Construction during the design development and as a result the finalised scheme provided a solution that would allow them to undertake their excavation with confidence. The solution was not only comparable with a structural steel alternative in respect to cost, but would allow for both rapid installation and removal.

The bespoke nature of this project meant that we had to develop, design and fabricate a new propping system all within a five week time frame to ensure that the site was not held up as the excavation progressed.

Learn more about groundworks

Our development team pulled out all of the stops and came up with a solution that combined the existing hydraulic unit from the Super Bracing Strut with a new 1067mmØ tubular section. This new prop type (which would later be launched to the wider market as our Super Bracing Strut-1000) ensured that the loads and spans could be achieved whilst maintaining a modular proprietary system.

Battersea Power Station has now been transformed into a contemporary residential and leisure complex, after re-opening its doors on 14th October 2022.

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