View source for 49-51 Conduit Street, London

==Article in [https://www.newsteelconstruction.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/digi/2014pdf/NSC1014.pdf#page=16 NSC October 2014]==
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'''Bespoke construction for upmarket site'''<br>
Situated on the corner of two renowned central London streets, a new retail and office development is set to be a sought after address.<br> 

Mayfair in central London is known for its prestigious [[Retail_buildings|retail]] outlets, high-class restaurants, luxury penthouses as well as headquarters for some of the world’s most illustrious companies. The property market is buoyant in this part of the capital and a number of new [[Retail_buildings|retail]] and [[Multi-storey_office_buildings|commercial developments]] are currently under way. A prime example is a new six-storey development on the corner of Conduit Street and Savile Row.

Bespoke excellence in the heart of Mayfair is how EPR Architects describes the project (see [[#Feature windows|below]]). ”Our design creates exceptional new [[Multi-storey_office_buildings|office]] and [[Retail_buildings|retail]] space within a beautiful hand-glazed [[Facades_and_interfaces|façade]] that seamlessly matches its surroundings,” says Stephen Pey, EPR Associate Director. “While a unique slim steel construction accommodates the tight cladding [[Construction#Tolerances|tolerances]] and maximises the internal floor areas.”

The landmark development replaces two former [[Retail_buildings|retail]]/gallery/[[Multi-storey_office_buildings|office buildings]] with one large new building. The new build consists of a basement, ground floor and a first floor to accommodate 743m<sup>2</sup> prime [[Retail_buildings|retail]] space, five upper office levels with an overall floor area of 3,900m<sup>2</sup> and a rooftop plant deck. The topmost office floor is stepped back slightly, allowing the structure to fit into its surroundings with a similar design to its neighbours, while also creating a terrace for the future occupants.
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“This is a very prestigious project in a very sought after location,” says Andy Case, Site Manager for main contractor McLaren Construction. “By demolishing the two old buildings and combining the sites into one, we’ve maximised the plot efficiently and cost effectively.”

McLaren started clearing the site during the summer of 2013. Early works also included enlarging the existing basement to cover the entire site’s footprint. Upwards from the basement slab the structure is formed with a [[Braced_frames|steel frame]] that uses a centrally positioned reinforced concrete core as well as perimeter [[Braced_frames#Vertical bracing|bracing]] for its [[Concept_design#Structural options for stability|stability]].

“A [[Braced_frames|steel frame]] was the best option for this site,” explains Pal Seyan, Capita Project Engineer. “Early in the [[Design|design]] process the project team evaluated all framing options; by using steel we have been able to deal with the site’s constraints as well as maximising the number of floors.”

All of the floors have been [[Construction#Steel erection|erected]] using slim 450mm deep Westok [[Steel_construction_products#Cellular beams|cellular beams]]. They span a long [[Concept_design#Floor grids|grid]] arrangement of up to 10m, and this has reduced the number of internal columns to one, allowing architectural freedom within the building. Importantly the passage of the [[Service_integration|services]] through the web of the Westok beams has reduced the floor depth and allowed the structure to have the optimum number of floors.

One of the biggest constraints for this project, as for many inner city [[Construction|construction]] jobs, has been space, or the lack of it. Roads along two elevations and existing properties abutting the other two sides leave no room for materials storage and scant room for deliveries. All deliveries are made via the site’s laydown zone on Savile Row. Coordination is key and steel deliveries have all been made on a just-in-time basis. Using the site’s one [[Construction#Tower cranes|tower crane]], steel sections are invariably lifted straight off of the delivery truck and then [[Construction#Steel erection|erected]] almost immediately.
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“Because the site is very confined we had to erect the steelwork in phases, doing half the building from basement to third floor, using the vacant part of the site for temporary steel laydown,” says Bobby McCormick, BHC Project Manager. “Once the first half of the structure was up, including the [[Steel_construction_products#Decking for floors|metal decking]] and concrete topping, we then [[Construction#Steel erection|erected]] the other half using the completed frame for steel laydown.” BHC then repeated this sequence for the rest of the structure from levels three to six, with the rooftop plant area done as the final piece in the steel programme.

A slim [[Construction|construction]] approach has also been incorporated in the [[Design|design]] of the project’s perimeter columns. These are twin [[Steel_construction_products#Structural hollow sections|RHS sections]] connected by CHS [[Braced_frames#Vertical bracing|bracing]], designed to be as slim as possible in order to fit the architectural vision and to maximise floor space by being unobtrusive. The columns resemble [[Trusses|trusses]] and were [[Fabrication#Handling and transportation|delivered to site]] in three-storey lengths, fully assembled with their connecting [[Braced_frames#Vertical bracing|bracing]].

By utilising [[The_case_for_steel#Offsite fabrication for precision parts|offsite construction]] the project team has benefitted from a quicker [[Construction#Steel erection|steel erection]] programme, while [[Construction#Steel erection|erecting]] three-storey high elements has also meant the tight [[Construction#Tolerances|tolerances]] for the [[Building_envelopes|cladding]] have been easier to accommodate as [[Construction#Lining.2C_levelling_and_plumbing|line and levelling]] didn’t need to be done on each floor level.

49-51 Conduit Street completes this month (October).

==Feature windows==
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According to EPR Architects the project’s architecture wholly integrates art into the fabric of the building by using a bespoke glazed ceramic tile to the main elevations. The approach was developed in collaboration with renowned ceramic artist Kate Malone, adding richness and intensity to the building.

The use of projecting and recessed window treatments addressing Savile Row and Conduit Street provides depth to the [[Facades_and_interfaces|façade]], enhancing the unique hand glazed elevations. These feature windows are formed with cantilevering box section and angle section frames that have been bolted to the perimeter floor beams.

The grain of the Mayfair Conservation area is further reflected in the [[Facades_and_interfaces|façade]] treatment through the use of ceramic tones, preserving the historic plot widths created when Savile Row was extended to meet Conduit Street in the 1960’s. The building’s strong identity draws on this character and culture within Savile Row celebrating the prestigious arts and crafts nature of the local historic area synonymous with tailoring traditions.

{|class="wikitable" width="400"
|-
|'''Architect'''||EPR Architects
|-
|'''Structural Engineer'''||Capita
|-
|'''Steelwork Contractor'''||BHC
|-
|'''Main Contractor'''||McLaren Construction
|-
|'''Main Client'''||Aerium and Terrace Hill Group
|}

[[Category:Case studies - Multi-storey office buildings]]