Gasholders London, UK
Turning Victorian
infrastructure into new homes
The delivery of these high-spec residential units within a radial geometry presented several unique structural challenges, both in terms of the restoration of the Victorian gasholder guide frames, and the design of the new apartment buildings that are encircled by these heritage structures.
To overcome these challenges, Arup adopted an efficient yet flexible engineering approach. Our specialist skills helped define the strategy for restoring and repairing the cast and wrought iron guide frames - allowing them to stand independently of the new buildings.
Arup also designed two slender steel bridges in the central courtyard. They weave through the Victorian ironwork and are supported as lightly as possible to create the maximum contrast between old and new.
As the apartments sit within the Victorian framework, the facade was developed to respect the constraints of the original structure yet open up to create well day-lit internal and external living spaces.
