Coppermaker Square

Maximising value across multiple areas through lean value engineering

Coppermaker Square is a £670 million, landmark, mixed-use development featuring 1,200 homes across nine blocks, with the tallest reaching 38 storeys. As one of London’s largest single-site PRS schemes, it sits adjacent to Westfield Stratford City, further expanding the area with a two-storey site-wide basement and an 11,000m² extension to the shopping centre.

Strategic Engineering for Smarter Delivery

Walsh was appointed at Stage 4 to deliver the technical design for Coppermaker Square (formerly Cherry Park). With hybrid planning permission granted in early 2018, the scheme presented both scale and complexity, presenting ideal conditions for us to unlock significant value.

Engineering Efficiencies that Deliver 

Upon joining, Walsh undertook a rigorous review of the Stage 3 scheme and quickly identified opportunities to optimise the structural design. Our refinements led to:

• 14% reduction in pile count with smaller diameters
• £2.5 million saving in structural steel
• 53% saving in foundation excavation
• £1.5 million saving in reinforcement

 

These efficiencies were achieved without compromising performance, demonstrating our commitment to intelligent engineering and cost-effective delivery.

Solving Complex Stability Challenges 

The development’s tallest residential towers, rising 38 and 30 storeys, posed significant stability challenges, particularly around wind-induced accelerations. We conducted advanced wind tunnel testing and modal response analysis to ensure lateral stability and occupant comfort.
Our solution eliminated the need for screed across all levels, which was introduced in the previous scheme, reducing structural mass while maintaining performance. This approach not only improved buildability but also enhanced sustainability.

Innovative Reuse of Existing Infrastructure 

The site’s proximity to an existing DLR tunnel introduced further complexity. We assessed and strategically leveraged the capacity of existing structures to support the new development. This reuse minimised disruption to surrounding infrastructure and conserved valuable resources, an approach that is aligned with our ethos of sustainable design.