Our work included

• Working closely with the client to understand their priorities and vision for the building, then using the information and key details collected within the inspection and survey report to create the strategy to achieve that vision.
• Constant communications with all of our specialist access partners, from pre-project planning through to mid-project alterations, ensuring that each area of the building could be effectively reached and defects were efficiently and safely repaired.
• Creation of a bespoke and unique scaffold plan for the west tower, involving structural engineers and designers in order to ensure the weight was evenly and safely supported above the basement.
• Working with Network Rail, the client and other contractors to ensure works were delivered at times that suited all parties. In some cases this meant completely changing our access and programme timing and instead working throughout the nights and using high-level specialist MEWPs to complete the works.
• The full removal of the current failed coating around the towers, stripping the flaking paint away from the masonry to expose the surface beneath and prevent further failure.
• Where numerous areas of render were completely failing and cracked, these had to be safely broken down and then lowered to ground level to avoid the risk of materials falling to ground level and becoming a risk to the public. These sections were then left to dry out, then once fully prepared, new matching render systems applied to ensure that they matched with the surrounding original materials.
• High-level weathering had seen severe deterioration of some of the timber sash window frames and cappings. Each unit was treated individually in order to tailor the repairs or replacement to minimise the changes to the original system, but in general minor localised repairs were undertaken using specialist timber repair care products, all the way up to the complete replacement and redecoration of timber sections, where the rot was too severe.
• Throughout many sections of the building, the masonry and pointing was degraded, missing or loose, requiring a unique approach to each of the defective sections. Using a mixture of colour-matched, sympathetic mortars, we were able to chase out and remove all failed materials, then build up and repoint the defective areas in order to provide a new seamless finish that would also help to protect the façade against future weathering.
• As is generally expected on buildings of this size where access is tricky, there were several locations where slates had slipped or were missing. Where this had occurred, each defect was rectified using new matching slates.
• Although only minor, to a couple of sections of the property there were localised issues with cracking or missing leadwork, which would be allowing water into the property. By replacing each section of this leadwork and dressing the new system in place to ensure water would flow into the correct guttering systems, we were able to prevent further issues.

Project Challenges

• A unique and bespoke access and abseil anchoring requirement, as the hotel had no specific rigging points.
• Due to the hotel’s location and surroundings, each elevation and working location required bespoke access solutions, including the use of abseil, fully scaffolded towers and specialist MEWPs.
• Altering access solutions mid-project. Having initially planned to scaffold both towers, this plan had to change at short notice when it was discovered that the ground would not support the scaffold’s weight without major supporting works, requiring us to create a unique solution with specialist high-level MEWPs, working out of hours to appease Network Rail.
• Working above an active hotel and station, both in their busiest periods, along another of London’s main roads.
• As with any façade inspection, minimising the time between inspection and repairs is key due to the potential for defect severity to increase or new defects to appear if too much time passes. In this instance, when we returned to undertake the repairs, we did find that some of them had in fact, become more severe and new defects were found, which required further discussion and review with a very understanding client.
• The need to work flexibly with the hotel, Network Rail and other contractors, creating a programme that would need to be paused at specific moments to allow others to complete their works.
• Tailored and changeable solutions to the building’s various issues, due to delivery timescales having been altered by the client and other contractors.
• Below all areas of work, exclusion zones and bankspersons were essential due to the high volume of pedestrian traffic in the local area.

We specialise in surveying, repairing,  and maintaining tall, difficult to access commercial buildings and structures, façades, roofs, glazing and atriums.

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