Case Study

PaddingtonCentral

The Approach:The design and installation in two phases

of a channel drainage system to fit with thedramatic geometry of the surroundings.

The Challenge:To design a high performancedrainage system for effectiveremoval of all surface waterfrom one of the most ambitious

commercial developments in London.

The Product:Over 200 metres of bespoke grade 304 stainless steel channel fitted withlocked-down “Heelsafe” gratings, FACTALoad Class A and Load Class D.

The landmark regeneration of PaddingtonCentral is one of the mostambitious commercial developments ever undertaken in London.

A key feature of the final phase of the project was the creation of a unique public realm that wouldarticulate and complement the space between the new, contemporary buildings. Ensuring the effectiveremoval of all surface water from this visually sensitive environment is a high performance drainagesystem designed specifically to overcome the challenges of the site.

PaddingtonCentral, Development Securities’ £200m redevelopment of the 11 acre former goods yardadjacent to the famous railway station, is a site defined by transport infrastructure.

The first phase of the project to be completed was set around an area called ‘Sheldon Square’. Its twooffice and apartment blocks sit around a central public space that has an attractive terracedamphitheatre at its centre. With particular emphasis on natural planting, lighting and public art, thestrong visual qualities of the landscaping are carried through in every detail of the scheme.

To design the critical public realm setting, Development Securities appointed one of the UK’s leadinglandscape design practices, Macfarlane Wilder – a practice with experience in realising successful publicspaces within major urban redevelopment projects, including Wembley, Birmingham Snowhill and ChesterTown Centre. As director Peter Wilder explains: “To achieve continuity of the aesthetics across the spacewe had to consider the finish of every detail – the drainage system was no exception. For surface watercollection, we selected a bespoke, all stainless steel grated channel system designed by ACO BuildingDrainage. Its team had considerable experience in meeting the tight tolerances and consistent, highquality finish that we needed on a system of this size. A second supplier was chosen to provide the sub-surface connections through to the site’s attenuation tanks and mains discharge point.

“Both systems worked extremely well and the surface finish adds a striking and complementary visualdynamic to the completed arena. Securing the connections between the two systems though provedmore challenging than we had anticipated, so we resolved to use a single supplier on the second andfinal phase.”

Named ‘One Kingdom Street’, the second phase of the PaddingtonCentral project is a ten story officedevelopment that sits, in-part, above a two floor ancillary zone that will eventually accommodate theLondon Crossrail. Access to the offices is via an extensive deck structure that leads from phase one.

“The deck allowed us to create a series of dynamic planes that intersect the central axis corridor fromSheldon Square,” explains Peter Wilder. “The innovative design coupled with the restricted depth ofthe deck and the introduction of planters and temporary landscape elements meant that theperformance demands and manufacturing tolerances on the drainage system would be much tighter.”

“To stand a chance of achieving the installation and performance targets for phase two a totallyintegrated surface and below-deck drainage solution would be essential. After assessing both suppliersfrom phase one, we selected the proposal from ACO Building Drainage as we felt they had themanufacturing resources, and design expertise to complete a scheme the scope of which, to ourunderstanding, had never before been attempted by one company.”

The installed system comprises over 200 metres of 155mm wide grade 304 stainless steel channelfitted with locked-down ‘Heelsafe’ gratings. The majority of the system is rated FACTA Load Class A forpedestrian use and increased to Load Class D across the service roads.

Seven upstanding stainless steel planter drains tie into the surface water system through special slabpenetration units.

“With all surface to slab connections, clamping rings, gullies, corner units and penetrations comingfrom the one supplier we were able to overcome the installation obstacles encountered on phase oneand to meet the very high tolerances specified,” says Peter Wilder. “The completed system perfectlyblends with the strong geometry of the surroundings.”

In Brief:

• £200m redevelopment of the 11acre former goods yard adjacent tothe famous railway station

• Accolades including ‘Best ProjectContributing to London’s Future’

• Bespoke, all stainless steel gratedchannel system designed by ACOBuilding Drainage

For more information on our bespokedesign and fabrication services, contactACO Building Drainage on 01462816666 or emailbuildingdrainage@aco.co.uk.

A full overview of ACO Building Drainageproducts and resources is available atwww.acobuildingdrainage.co.uk.

www.acobuildingdrainage.co.uk

Case Study

PaddingtonCentral