Doka supplied hydraulic climbing systems to ensure the safe, high-specification construction of two architectural cores which are central to a sustainable landmark development in the heart of London’s historic South Bank.
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Designed as a stunning commercial space where global corporate businesses will collocate with local start-up companies, Timber Square is set to introduce a new level of sustainability to one of the capital’s most exciting districts.
The project, on behalf of Landsec, will see the creation of two large office buildings in a 34,400m2 space that will include sizeable public realm access. Designed by architects Bennetts Associates, Timber Square is set to become one of the UK’s first ‘very large-scale’ net zero carbon buildings. Crucial to this achievement will be the buildings’ timber frame structure – hence the project’s name. One of the buildings is a part-refurbishment, which along with the sustainable materials employed during construction, will halve the project’s operational carbon emissions.
Doka was selected to design and supply the high-performance formwork for the north and south core walls, lift shafts and stairwell construction by construction specialist Erith Contractors. Both vertical concrete structures required high-level architectural works, leading to the specification of Doka’s Top50 Formwork and hydraulic climbing SKE50 plus system. This overcame the issue of pre-casting concrete elements off-site, which was initially planned for the buildings’ cores due to space restrictions incurred by the project’s city location. Working with Doka’s design and getting the climbing system pre-assembly completed off-site via the expert team at Doka in Sheffield, the crane independent SKE50 plus was ready for final assembly on-site. As an enclosed system, SKE50 plus ensured a safe working environment for operatives working on the guided hydraulic jumpform rig, while being able to carry out the necessary work to ensure the client met floor-to-floor climbing cycle times for the cores.
In terms of complexity, the structure’s north core provided the greatest challenge. Essential beam details were required to be cast into the core for structural stability in addition to still considering formwork grid patterns and tie positions to maintain the architectural aesthetics required on the exposed concrete finish. The north core, which is approximately three times larger than the south structure, featured a complex series of risers, minimal access areas and planned structural changes during its climb.
Despite these challenges, Doka’s SKE50 plus climbing system completed both cores’ construction in rapid time while meeting the architectural requirements for the concrete’s exposed areas.
Timber Square is destined to become a model commercial development. It will lead the way as a sustainable, desirable workspace for businesses large and small, with its public realm availability making it a building project that will benefit the whole community. Doka is proud to have played a core role in the development’s initial design and construction.
The project, on behalf of Landsec, will see the creation of two large office buildings in a 34,400m2 space that will include sizeable public realm access. Designed by architects Bennetts Associates, Timber Square is set to become one of the UK’s first ‘very large-scale’ net zero carbon buildings. Crucial to this achievement will be the buildings’ timber frame structure – hence the project’s name. One of the buildings is a part-refurbishment, which along with the sustainable materials employed during construction, will halve the project’s operational carbon emissions.
Doka was selected to design and supply the high-performance formwork for the north and south core walls, lift shafts and stairwell construction by construction specialist Erith Contractors. Both vertical concrete structures required high-level architectural works, leading to the specification of Doka’s Top50 Formwork and hydraulic climbing SKE50 plus system. This overcame the issue of pre-casting concrete elements off-site, which was initially planned for the buildings’ cores due to space restrictions incurred by the project’s city location. Working with Doka’s design and getting the climbing system pre-assembly completed off-site via the expert team at Doka in Sheffield, the crane independent SKE50 plus was ready for final assembly on-site. As an enclosed system, SKE50 plus ensured a safe working environment for operatives working on the guided hydraulic jumpform rig, while being able to carry out the necessary work to ensure the client met floor-to-floor climbing cycle times for the cores.
In terms of complexity, the structure’s north core provided the greatest challenge. Essential beam details were required to be cast into the core for structural stability in addition to still considering formwork grid patterns and tie positions to maintain the architectural aesthetics required on the exposed concrete finish. The north core, which is approximately three times larger than the south structure, featured a complex series of risers, minimal access areas and planned structural changes during its climb.
Despite these challenges, Doka’s SKE50 plus climbing system completed both cores’ construction in rapid time while meeting the architectural requirements for the concrete’s exposed areas.
Timber Square is destined to become a model commercial development. It will lead the way as a sustainable, desirable workspace for businesses large and small, with its public realm availability making it a building project that will benefit the whole community. Doka is proud to have played a core role in the development’s initial design and construction.
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