Several Doka SKE50 plus hydraulic and Xclimb 60 crane-lifted climbing formwork systems were used to construct four new town centre towers at the heart of Southwark Council's Elephant and Castle redevelopment programme.
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The development transformed an area of South East London that was once compared to Piccadilly Circus on account of its dynamism and vibrancy. The extensive works programme carried out in three phases, led to the creation of a new town centre. It included 1,000 new homes, an upgraded Elephant and Castle tube station, and the construction of a cutting-edge campus for the nearby London College of Communication, part of UAL University of the Arts London.
Contractor Morrisroe selected Doka to provide its design expertise and innovative hydraulic climbing formwork for the construction of the concrete cores that formed three of the development’s multi-storey tower blocks. Each block comprised a standard concrete finish featuring Doka Framax Xlife panels. These were installed using Doka’s SKE50 plus hydraulic climbing formwork. The crane-independent system included an all-round enclosure that ensured safe, weather-shielded working at any height. Due to the SKE50’s robustness and reliability, it facilitated the floor-by-floor lifting of internal-external materials while protecting operatives carrying out the rebar process in preparation for casting concrete. The all-hydraulic crane-less climbing method optimised construction workflows by allowing greater flexibility in the repositioning of the SKE50 units.
The fourth core, which was the first to emerge from the ground, was constructed using the Doka Xclimb 60 crane-lifted solution. This system was chosen primarily because the tower was much lower than the others. Additionally, it was originally specified as a cost-effective option since the slab was programmed to follow, and it was completed before the cranes were too heavily utilised on the rest of the vast project.
As well as reviving Elephant and Castle as a thriving social, cultural, and commercial hub, it was estimated the town centre development would create 1,230 construction jobs over the ensuing decade. Approximately 2,000 full-time jobs were expected to be created upon the wider development’s scheduled 2030 completion.
This was a blue-chip project in a characterful, historical area of London that, thanks to Doka and a myriad of skilled, visionary stakeholders, will see Elephant and Castle prosper as a redeveloped cultural hub.
Contractor Morrisroe selected Doka to provide its design expertise and innovative hydraulic climbing formwork for the construction of the concrete cores that formed three of the development’s multi-storey tower blocks. Each block comprised a standard concrete finish featuring Doka Framax Xlife panels. These were installed using Doka’s SKE50 plus hydraulic climbing formwork. The crane-independent system included an all-round enclosure that ensured safe, weather-shielded working at any height. Due to the SKE50’s robustness and reliability, it facilitated the floor-by-floor lifting of internal-external materials while protecting operatives carrying out the rebar process in preparation for casting concrete. The all-hydraulic crane-less climbing method optimised construction workflows by allowing greater flexibility in the repositioning of the SKE50 units.
The fourth core, which was the first to emerge from the ground, was constructed using the Doka Xclimb 60 crane-lifted solution. This system was chosen primarily because the tower was much lower than the others. Additionally, it was originally specified as a cost-effective option since the slab was programmed to follow, and it was completed before the cranes were too heavily utilised on the rest of the vast project.
As well as reviving Elephant and Castle as a thriving social, cultural, and commercial hub, it was estimated the town centre development would create 1,230 construction jobs over the ensuing decade. Approximately 2,000 full-time jobs were expected to be created upon the wider development’s scheduled 2030 completion.
This was a blue-chip project in a characterful, historical area of London that, thanks to Doka and a myriad of skilled, visionary stakeholders, will see Elephant and Castle prosper as a redeveloped cultural hub.
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