This self-effacing ten-storey building in the Kings Cross
redevelopment is constructed to the highest quality
with the greatest attention paid to fine detailing and
materials, say the judges
Passers-by will be forgiven for remaining unaware of this
store of treasures of Islamic art and literature, and the variety
of internal and external spaces contained within this London
centre for the Aga Khan Foundation.
According to Expedition Engineering Associate Alessandro
Maccioni, an integrated structural steel and services solution
was chosen as it minimised storey heights, while maintaining
floor-to-ceiling heights, compared to a comparable concrete
solution.
“The composite frame also permitted the use of a raft
foundation, the first at Argent’s development at King’s Cross,
which provided significant programme and cost savings
compared to a piled foundation solution.
“Steel also provided a minimal-sized vertical structure
installed to high tolerances, which allowed the external wall
build-up to be minimised – in line with the architectural intent.”
N A T I O N A L F I N A L I S T S SSDA 2019
FACT FILE
Architects:
Maki & Associates,
Allies and Morrison
Structural
engineer:
Expedition
Engineering
Steelwork
contractor:
Severfield
Main contractor:
BAM Construct
UK Ltd
Clients:
AKDN, Argent
NSC 35
October 19
Aga Khan Centre,
London
The former post office administrative
building on London’s Old Street
has been converted into a modern
commercial scheme with the aid of
steel construction.
The 1970s-built six-storey concreteframed
structure has had a major makeover,
with an extensive refurbishment that
delivered open-plan office space within an
expanded structural envelope.
The project team have added three
floors to the building, infilled lightwells
and extended all of the elevations with new
steelwork.
“Structural steelwork offered us the
required lightweight solution with lots
of scope for prefabrication and service
integration,” says Heyne Tillett Steel
Director Mark Tillett.
“We also added up to 40% additional
load onto the existing frame and
foundations without any strengthening.”
This was achieved through pre-contract
geotechnical investigations and testing,
including pile core samples, boreholes and
confirmation of the existing pile length.
By using structural steelwork, the
new floors were easily adapted to tenant
requests, including the positioning of stairs.
Lightweight steel solutions have
maximised the value of this mid-20th
Century commercial building with
additions of up to three new storeys, say the
judges.
FACT FILE
Architect: Orms
Structural
engineer:
Heyne Tillett Steel
Steelwork
contractor:
Bourne Steel Ltd
Main contractor:
Wates Construction
Client:
Great Portland
Estates plc
160
Old
Street,
London
© Edmund Sumner
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