Dockley Road
Breathing new life into a Southwark mixed-use scheme
Dockley Road is a new development consisting of 111 one-, two- and three-bed residential units built around a central courtyard with 1100 square metres of ground-level retail space.
The development site is on the 0.36ha former Dockley Road Industrial Estate. It is 500m from Bermondsey tube station, a housing estate and adjacent to the Grade II listed Spa Road Railway Bridge. The railway arches form part of Southwark Council’s ‘Low Line’ regeneration scheme. Dockley Road is a landmark mixed-tenure scheme providing a range of social and affordable housing as well as commercial space. This high-quality design for the scheme sets the benchmark for future developments in the area.
A 111-unit development comprising one, two and three-bed apartments with dual-aspect windows, natural ventilation and large balconies. We assessed multiple options for the structural framing to accommodate the design and present it to the client. A hybrid frame construction was chosen up until the contractor came on board and changed the scheme to a flat slab construction. We also designed an internal steel walkway.
Designed by Studio Woodroffe Papa and Poggi Architecture, Dockley Road’s design embraces a European style with an emphasis on creating communal and outdoor spaces. We worked on Dockley Road from RIBA Stage 2 to early stage 4. The design was then novated to the contractor for the construction phase where the scheme was changed to a concrete flat slab structure. Dockley Road has an undulating façade and staggered large balconies giving residents a sense of privacy. Elliott Wood’s engineers designed a concrete frame with a lightweight steel frame to accommodate the irregular shape of the façade.
- Architect
- Studio Woodroffe Papa, Poggi Architecture
- Client
- Dockley Limited
- Location
- London, UK
Impact
Dockley Road is a mixed-tenure development comprising 111 one-, two- and three-bed apartments with dual-aspect windows, natural ventilation, and large balconies.#
The scheme is a catalyst for Southwark’s wider ‘Low Line’ regeneration project.
By using Controlled Modulus Columns, the construction works were less disruptive to the local community, saved time on site and would cost half the amount in comparison to traditional piling methods.
Awards
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2023 Building Awards - Housing Project of the Year
History & Context
The Dockley Road site has a rich history and began its industrial life in 1836 as part of the Spa Road Railway station.
With its former industrial past in Southwark, Southeast London, the development is enclosed by a housing estate and railway arches which are part of the wider Southwark Council’s ‘Low Line’ regeneration scheme.
Dockley Road
Our Approach
Adaptive framing and aesthetic design
Our biggest challenge was to design a structural framing option that followed the irregular shape of the façade while being structurally efficient.
We also had to design an elegant interface between the external steelwork and the concrete frame to enhance the strong design aesthetic of the scheme.
Our biggest challenge was to design a structural framing option that followed the irregular shape of the façade while being structurally efficient.
We also had to design an elegant interface between the external steelwork and the concrete frame to enhance the strong design aesthetic of the scheme.
A hybrid concrete frame
Our structural engineers’ preferred option for the scheme was a hybrid concrete structure comprising a precast concrete slab supported by in-situ concrete beams and columns.
Our selection for offsite construction rather than traditional construction on this inner-city enclosed site, would have increased the speed of erection, reduced temporary works and caused less disruption to the adjacent properties.
Our structural engineers’ preferred option for the scheme was a hybrid concrete structure comprising a precast concrete slab supported by in-situ concrete beams and columns.
Our selection for offsite construction rather than traditional construction on this inner-city enclosed site, would have increased the speed of erection, reduced temporary works and caused less disruption to the adjacent properties.
Piling on the savings
We designed an alternative to traditional piling using Controlled Modulus Columns (CMCs) which involves strengthening the soil of the existing ground. This technique delivers a stiff ground capable of supporting a raft.
By eliminating the use of piles, we significantly reduced the level of disturbance to the surrounding sensitive public assets and structures and reduced the overall project risk. Based on the quantity surveyor information, they suggested that our chosen option was more efficient and cost-efficient in comparison to traditional piled solutions.
We designed an alternative to traditional piling using Controlled Modulus Columns (CMCs) which involves strengthening the soil of the existing ground. This technique delivers a stiff ground capable of supporting a raft.
By eliminating the use of piles, we significantly reduced the level of disturbance to the surrounding sensitive public assets and structures and reduced the overall project risk. Based on the quantity surveyor information, they suggested that our chosen option was more efficient and cost-efficient in comparison to traditional piled solutions.