Verde SW1

Overview

This major access solution was a collaborative effort between GIND UK and our design/installation partner Integral Cradles.

Verde SW1 (former Eland House) is a state-of-the-art, office-led redevelopment in the heart of Victoria, within 150 meters of the new entrance to Victoria Station. The building includes a dramatic triple-height reception; the six rooftop gardens create a “park in the sky” with stunning views across London.

The property is owned by Tishman Speyer and was designed by internationally renowned architects Aukett Swanke. Integral Cradles Ltd was contracted to provide a total access solution to both the inside and outside roofs, to ensure the building can be fully accessed and maintained.

For the outside of the building, Integral Cradles provided four new BMUs that included features such as folding jibs for reduced parking height, luffing counterweight sections to avoid clashes with the building structure and auxiliary hosts for glass replacement.

The team also provided eight new safety lines with a combined length of 377m, which also incorporated abseil points from its posts.

On the inside of the building, to provide access to the internal atrium glazing, the team provided seven new internal monorails, complete with a modular cradle that was specifically designed and built to fit in the goods lift so it could be stored away from the atrium reception.

The client had requested an access system that mirrored the one in place at New York’s The High Line – an elevated linear park created on a section of the disused New York Central Railroad spur. This meant incorporating a ‘weathered track’ design that utilised rusty looking steel and organic, recessed tracks to reduce the visual impact of the system on the building. To ensure the structural integrity of the track is maintained, it was designed without welded connections, and increased thickness to the flanges and web.

This meant a layer of superficial steel was installed to protect the track from future corrosion. The fixings were painted with a rust colour to complete the aesthetic of the system.

The contract for this project was negotiated directly with Tishman Speyer, and the team’s history of collaborating with the same team on projects such as St Mary’s Axe and Heron Tower was key to the being awarded the works. The final outcome was a system designed and delivered to the delight of the client.

At a Glance

Date: 2017/ongoing

Address: 10 Bressenden Place, Victoria, London SW1

Client: Tishman Speyer

Current status: Integral Cradles completed construction works in 2017. GIND UK is looking after the ongoing warrantied maintenance works.