ARCHITECTURAL FOCUS
INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT
REVOLUTIONISING INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENTS ONE STOREY AT A TIME
WorkStack , in Charlton London , is an ingenious solution for a compact , urban site - helping to redefine the future of workspace developments .
The first lightweight industrial building of its type and scale in the UK , the design adopts overlapping , cantilevering workspaces , which progressively increase in floor area and size , to create 14 new industrial units scaling in size from 55-110 m2 .
Manufactured offsite to achieve both speed and accuracy , Cross Laminated Timber ( CLT ) was the ideal material to facilitate this unique and optimised inverted form , and specialist timber subcontractor B & K Structures ( BKS ) were selected to deliver the CLT and structural steelwork package .
The end client Greenwich Enterprise Board ( GEB ) – a social enterprise with over 20 years of experience – assembled an expert project team for WorkStack , with dRMM selected to head the design team and ARUP acting as structural engineer and fire strategy consultants . F Parkinson was appointed as the main contractor , with B & K Structures ( BKS ) selected as the specialist subcontractor responsible for the CLT and steelwork package – including the CLT , glulam and steel connection design - enabling the construction of this innovative , cantilevering five-storey structure . Early engagement and collaboration by the entire team was fundamental to the success of the project .
Due to the building ’ s unconventional form , the design sat outside of existing test data available . As such , dynamic thermal modelling was undertaken to inform the architectural design development and material selection .
The subsequent specification of CLT ensured passive measures were adopted , and careful coordination across the project team during construction – including B & K Structures , who brought 20 years of structural timber expertise – ensured a tightly sealed building , delivered on time and to budget .
Alex Brock , BKS Pre-Construction Manager commented : “ We believe the best way to continue bringing timber technology to the mainstream market is through knowledge sharing and collaborative research and development . WorkStack is another project in our portfolio that continues to push the boundaries of timber construction into new and exciting sectors .”
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