Large Basement

With some projects, the scale of the works are difficult to grasp until you see them on site. The excavation of this particular basement was so extensive, covering an area of 5870 square metres and a depth of 6 metres. Even the heavy duty excavation equipment was dwarfed by the sheer size of the excavation.

It is still a matter of considerable awe that contractors are able to take abstract digital and printed information and translate it into a precise physical representation of the proposed building, sitting finitely in three dimensions to a precision in the millimetres whilst starting in an abstract muddy hole.

The juxtaposition of the piled retaining wall against the precision of the new concrete structure was particularly noticeable in this basement because none of the walls were rectilinear.

There was also considerable beauty and complexity in the temporary support works, which supported the upper slabs whilst works continued above.