SSDA 2019 N A T I O N A L F I N A L I S T S
Project Mint completes the ring
of tenant units surrounding The
O2 Arena and was designed and
installed around the steel masts
and tie wires that support the tented
dome structure. The project utilises a steel
structure originally constructed in 2006 for
a super casino, demonstrating the versatility
of steelwork and minimising waste.
The project can be divided into two
separate parts, a two-storey element and a
single storey element. Both are connected,
although a movement joint with a row of
double columns forms a boundary between
them.
The single storey retail area is built
on top of the existing structure, which is
topped with a series of trusses creating
a large column-free space. The trusses
support lightweight metal decking to form
a roof, which was constructed to make sure
the casino was watertight if the Dome’s
fabric roof was ever removed.
As the slab was built with just a casino
in mind, the overall floor-to-ceiling height
was much greater than that required in a
modern retail outlet. Consequently, in the
area where the slab meets the two-storey
steel frame, the upper level gradually slopes
down by 1m.
The project team have
expanded and remodeled
the original Soho House
on Greek Street, London,
while simultaneously revitalising
the iconic Kettner’s Restaurant with
the addition of a new 33-bedroom
boutique hotel above.
A new-build, bronze-clad
pavilion was then inserted into the
courtyard, creating both physical
and visual links between the
different spaces. The massing of
the pavilion was formed to reveal a
series of terraces and lightwells that
each relate to their adjacent plots,
not only bringing light and outdoor
space to all levels, but ensuring
maximum usable area is achieved.
According to project architect
SODA, without the use of steel,
the alignment of the new pavilion
floors and terraces with the varying
existing floor levels (almost each
of the 15 plots having unique floor
levels) would have been difficult
to achieve, not least due to the
restricted floor-to-ceiling heights
and limited structural floor depths.
34 NSC
October 19
Project Mint
at The O2
FACT FILE
Architect: CallisonRTKL
Structural engineer: BuroHappold Engineering
Steelwork contractor: Bourne Steel Ltd
Main contractor: ISG
Clients: AEG, Crosstree
Kettner’s Townhouse
& Soho House
Greek Street
FACT FILE
Architect:
Studio of Design & Architecture (SODA)
Structural engineer: EngineersHRW
Main contractor:
In House Design & Build Ltd
Client: Soho Estates Ltd
Describing this project, the judges
say the low-profile design of the
two bridges sits comfortably
within the fenland landscape.
The palette of weathering steel and fairfaced
concrete integrates the scheme well
into its rural context.
The inclusion of a public footway with
the river crossing provides welcomed
connectivity between the foot and cycle
path network either side of the river.
Tony Gee & Partners Principal Engineer
Ken Lam says, the two road bridges made
up a quarter of the 1.6km road scheme.
“Steel was the natural and appropriate
choice for the main structural elements
for the given spans, as it reduces the dead
load to give a more efficient structure. For
the railway bridge speed of construction
was essential, which steel offered as large
prefabricated sections could be lifted in.
“The use of weathering steel throughout
also improved the appearance by reducing
the apparent depth in sympathy with the
surrounding environment and views, as well
as enhancing sustainability, given its low
maintenance.”
Ely Southern Bypass
FACT FILE
Architect: Knight Architects
Structural engineer: Tony Gee & Partners
Steelwork contractor: Severfield
Main contractor: VolkerFitzpatrick Ltd
Client: Cambridgeshire County Council
/Retail_buildings#Versatility
/Trusses
/Building_envelopes
/Retail_buildings
/Braced_frames
/Residential_and_mixed-use_buildings#Hotels
/Weathering_steel
/Bridges
/Sustainable_steel_bridges#Minimum_disruption
/Sustainable_steel_bridges