Greenford Quay

Delivering volumetric modular and civils design on a multi-phase development to meet evolving compliance standards

Walsh was employed on multiple phases of the Greenford Quay development, initially taking on the Stage 2 design by Meinhardt. Our team progressed individual plots and external landscaping to Stage 3 Tender, which informed the Employer Requirements. Following contractor appointment, we were retained as the Client’s Engineering Consultant, undertaking a client monitoring role during construction and subsequent handover.

Modular Building Design and Structural Challenges

The volumetric modular buildings consist of residential layouts above a ground floor retail and commercial area, with a lower ground car park. Volumetric modular MMC was not part of the development during planning so when MMC was introduced post-planning, we had to creatively incorporate transfer structures for the modules while maintaining the building height. We successfully designed lean and efficient transfer structures that met the specialist modular manufacturer’s requirements, while preserving the architectural flair of the front-of-house areas. Our team provided structural intent, employer’s requirements, and continued monitoring throughout the process.

Site Challenges and Design Solutions

Many of the plots interface closely with the levels and geometry of spine roads completed during the enabling works in 2019, as well as discharging drainage to the enabling works sewer network. Given the site’s 9m fall from the north-east corner to the canal, by the time the Stage 3 design for the final plots commenced in 2023, a significant amount of time had passed since the original construction. We had to devise creative design solutions that maintained Part M compliance around the buildings while seamlessly tying into the as-built spine roads.

Development of the Glaxo Building

The final block to be developed was the existing ‘Glaxo Building,’ a Grade II listed structure that formerly served as the headquarters for Glaxo Smith Kline. Initially, the building will be used as a pop-up event space before undergoing further development and repurposing. To keep costs down, we collaborated with the design team to integrate as much of the final landscaping into the temporary scheme as possible, ensuring it did not impact the ‘meanwhile’ use or the final design.