SPEEDECK was tasked with the design and construction of piled raft foundations for a 6-storey mixed-use building. The scope included slab steps, lift and inspection pits, thickenings, and the base for a tower crane. Situated in a dense urban environment in Westminster, the site presented significant logistical challenges due to restricted access.
This project transformed a former unused area which was once a WWII bomb site, into a valuable space for much-needed affordable housing, a lovely new community development for the City of Westminster council. A ground-floor nursery for local children was also added, ensuring the space was fully suited for the growing community. It was a challenging project due to the limited space, but we ensured the piled raft foundation was expertly designed and engineered to support this community development for many years to come.
Wates Construction approached SPEEDECK to address several design and site-specific challenges:
SPEEDECK’s expertise allowed for the mitigation of these challenges through innovative engineering approaches:
BIM was used to design within the constraints of tight access, party wall requirements, and proximity to subsurface utilities, ensuring optimal pile layout without clashes.
Additional Structures: SPEEDECK designed and installed service trenches, lift pits, and tank chambers to integrate seamlessly into the foundation design.
SPEEDECK’s scope of works consisted of:
Starter bars were installed within our works for the columns from schedules provided by the structural engineer.
Close collaboration with the client ensured that site access was consistently maintained, enabling smooth progress despite spatial constraints. SPEEDECK completed the project within 12 weeks, meeting all program requirements.
SPEEDECK’s innovative solutions and attention to detail delivered a foundation system that balanced structural integrity, cost-effectiveness, and constructability. Despite the challenges of working on a constrained urban site, the project was completed on schedule and signed off by both the client and warranty provider. This success underscores SPEEDECK’s capability to tackle complex foundation projects with precision and efficiency.
