Technical Design – Koops Mill Mews, London, SE1

The commencement of the RIBA stage 4 Technical Design with part RIBA Stage 3 Developed Design modifications began in October 2013. The duration of construction has lasted 14 months, completed in June 2015.

Types of Construction

Owing to its site constraints, the building was constructed in steel framed primary structure with precast concrete hollowcore floor planks with an in-situ composite reinforced concrete topping to reduce the amount of temporary work and on-site construction. A mobile crane was used for the installation of the structure.

The structural engineer designed a reinforced concrete deep strip foundation which bears into the gravels to minimize the bearing stress to the underground jubilee line 26m directly below the site. Blockwork dwarf walls supporting the suspended beam and block ground floor has been constructed on the strip foundation to reduce the weight of concrete. The foundation strips have been cut short with a cantilevered reinforced concrete slab arrangement along the western elevation facing the Network Rail Viaduct to prevent undermining the historic viaduct pier foundation.

External Walls & Window Systems

Brick and block cavity wall has been used at the ground and first floor external wall construction to maintain the acoustic integrity of the flank details while light gauge galvanised steel framing system supporting the insulated render finish has been used to the upper floors to reduce the dead load of the external walls onto the beams as the massing cascades inwards.

High quality thermally broken aluminium framed windows and cladding system with acoustic glazing have been specified. Full height glazed windows and doors are installed to the living spaces to give ample amount of natural daylight.

Photograph by Adam Scott

Sustainability

The residential apartments achieve Code for Sustainable Homes 4-star rating and EPC A & B while the ground floor commercial units achieve BREEAM ‘Excellent’ rating. Passive environmental measures, such as substantial insulations to external walls and high thermal performance windows, have been adopted along with Mechanical Heat Recovery Ventilation systems.

Photograph by Adam Scott

Link to project description:

http://www.mark-fairhurst.co.uk/architecture-portfolio/mixed-use-development-neckinger-mills-se1/

List of Consultants:

Structural Engineer
– John Grimes Partnership Ltd
M&E Engineers
– Dee Environmental Solutions Limited
CDM Coordinator
– GKR Associates
Party Wall Surveyor
– GKR Associates
Acoustic Consultants
– KP Acoustics
Energy Consultants
– Energy Solutions

List of Suppliers:

Facing Bricks
– BEA
Insulated Render
– Knauf Marmorit
Windows & Curtain Walling
– Aluprof
Expanded Aluminium Metal Cladding  
– ME Polska
External Paving
– CED
Ground Waterproofing
– RIW