Imagine a massive retail center, bustling with shoppers, expanding its footprint. But there’s a challenge: the new construction sits atop a vital transportation hub, a bustling bus station with over 1000 vehicles passing through daily. How do you protect the building’s structure from accidental collisions with these vehicles?
This was the predicament faced by the developers of Westfield London’s £600 million retail expansion. The extension, a five-story building, spanned over existing and new roads leading to Shepherds Bush bus station. It also sat atop crucial underground tunnels. A single collision could have disastrous consequences, potentially causing damage to the tunnels and the building’s structure.
Enter APC Civils, a company specializing in innovative solutions for protecting infrastructure. They collaborated with Cappagh Construction, the project’s civil engineering team, to devise a safeguard for the building’s vulnerable areas.
Confronting the Challenge: A Barrier Built for Strength and Beauty
The solution? A German-designed barrier system, System Spengler, known for its high containment rating. This barrier, rigorously tested with 13,000kg buses, provides the ultimate protection, ensuring the building’s integrity and safeguarding the vital tunnels below.
However, the barrier had to seamlessly integrate with the existing building structure, especially around the stanchions, which were crucial support elements. APC’s engineering team rose to the challenge. They meticulously surveyed the site, crafting bespoke precast barriers that seamlessly blended with the existing structure, creating a unified aesthetic.
Working Against the Clock: Precision and Expertise
The construction schedule posed another obstacle: the bus station remained operational throughout. This meant the barrier installation could only occur during a narrow window—between midnight and 5 am, when the roads could be closed for a brief period.
APC’s team, experienced in working under tight deadlines, flawlessly executed the installation, ensuring each barrier was meticulously placed. They understood the importance of precision and efficiency, especially when working within such restricted timeframes.
A Partnership Built on Trust and Expertise
Denis Leahy, Project Manager at Cappagh Construction, lauded APC’s expertise and commitment. “APC were incredibly helpful from day one,” he said, highlighting their ability to deliver innovative solutions and ensure the project’s success. “Their precast barrier solution provided high quality control and neat designs, even in areas with limited space,” Leahy added.
The project was a testament to the power of collaboration. APC’s expertise in barrier technology, coupled with Cappagh Construction’s vision, resulted in a robust and aesthetically pleasing solution, ensuring the Westfield expansion could flourish without compromising the safety of the building’s structure or the bustling bus station beneath.
