Royal Wharf, London

Royal Wharf is located next to the Thames Barrie in London just east of Canary Wharf. The total development masterplan comprises over 3,300 homes along with retail, leisure and education amenities.

TODD were appointed to develop the design and to deliver 512no. apartments across 2 separate plots within the masterplan layout. Designated Plot 20 and Plot 24 the sites provide a mix of tenures from social affordable to private sales and PRS.

Plot 20 comprises four individual blocks constructed over a basement and wrapped around a landscaped podium. Plot 24 comprises three individual plots wrapped around a central landscaped courtyard.

Both plots were designed and detailed for prefabrication using a concrete sandwich panel with insulated core and masonry facing. Typically the buildings were constructed traditionally up to first floor level and from there completed using prefabricated façade panels, floors, party walls, stair and lift cores. Integrated into the facade panels were balcony supports, ventilation grilles, windows and doors. Delivery of this scheme required a high degree of ‘front end’ coordination, using BIM and clash detection methods to ensure the prefabricated panels could be manufactured and delivered to site in line with the delivery programme.

The use of prefabricated sandwich panels allowed the integration of complex masonry details, including various bonds and courses and sawtooth patterns which were finished to a high standard. The inclusion of window systems within the panels allowed a factory finish to be achieved on integrated metalwork.

Particular attention was paid to interface details between the traditionally constructed lower levels and the prefabricated upper levels to ensure continuity of water and weather proofing, fire safety and acoustic attenuation measures.