The Ram Quarter is a pioneering new development in the heart of Wandsworth - creating a new residential community, with shops, restaurants and riverside walks which will become a new cultural destination for South East London. Transforming the former Young's Brewery site where beer has been brewed since 1581 - The Ram Quarter sensitively integrates historic Grade II buildings into the scheme which provides accommodation for boutiques, restaurants, a craft-brewery, a brewery museum and 650 new exclusive loft style apartments. Once inaccessible, the River Wandle is being landscaped to provide public access along a new riverside walk which will be traversed by three bridges as part of the Ram Quarter's 5,574m2 of retail and leisure space.
EOS Facades and Etex Building Performance counterparts were appointed by Ardmore Construction to design, supply and manufacture a complete solution for this architecturally and culturally historic site. The RAM Brewery was decommissioned in 2006, offering a perfect opportunity for developers to transform a prime location with Grade II listed buildings and create a new and exciting space for the local area, whilst preserving an important part of British culture.
Under the banner of 'Vintage and Modern' - the architects and planners have created a contemporary, robust build whilst reflecting and respecting the Grade II listed buildings. These preserved areas have been seamlessly incorporated into the new build scheme creating a public pedestrian route with gardens around the core brewery buildings and integrating luxury residential units within the brewery house itself.
Working in partnership with Ardmore, one of the largest family owned construction groups in the UK - EOS Facades have designed, manufactured and supplied a range of around 15,000m2 of steel framing system (SFS) infill walling and 280m2 load-bearing steel systems for the project. From SFS infill for five new medium to high-rise concrete framed blocks to a bespoke load-bearing system of internal pods within the listed brewery house - EOS worked in close collaboration with all construction partners to develop systems to meet the exacting project requirements.
EOS Facades' Etex Building Performance partners, Siniat and Promat - were also asked to develop a full architectural specification for the internal partitions as well as offer their award-winning Weather Defence external sheathing board to the EOS sub frame.
The core objective was to offer an aesthetically pleasing solution to an architecturally and culturally sensitive site, whilst providing affordable, energy efficient dwellings. The respect of the historical buildings was paramount. Steel framing systems had to be developed which considered the integrity of the existing buildings to enhance rather than detract from the original architecture.
Due to the large scale and complex nature of the project, it was imperative that EOS Facade's steel framing systems were designed and supplied ready for easy onsite installation. EOS phased the supply of the SFS to the new builds floor by floor in line with the build programme. Using EOS' unique system benefits, the material was supplied colour coded by floor, bundled and individually labelled by floor and elevation; issued with key opening components pre-assembled offsite; with all studs pre-cut to size. All these elements, plus the Siniat Weather Defence board, enabled a very rapid construction of the external facade with follow on trades starting internally as soon as the envelope became weathertight.
For the load-bearing pods to the retained listed buildings, EOS designed and supplied offsite pre-assembled wall and floor panels to form structurally independent platforms within the converted brewing rooms. These had minimal ties to the existing structure, thereby avoiding complications with listed consent and potential unforeseen issues associated with an aged building.
With the scheme due for completion, the site has emerged from the ground on schedule, in part due to maximising the full potential of BIM. BIM Level 2 delivered a rapid manufacturing turn around facilitated by making best use of design for manufacture and assembly protocols, combined with innovative offsite technologies.
These offsite technologies include the pre-assembly of SFS window components ensuring correct and quick build to key areas, together with non-standard use of load-bearing pre-assembled panels which enabled the quick installation of the offsite solution. Achieving tight tolerances, he load-bearing system supported the internal framework in a sensitive listed building where minimal impact on the pre-existing structure was required.
One of the offsite solutions that offered maximum programme benefits was the innovative Thruwall® System - derived from the Etex Building Performance group of companies. Etex Building Performance combines the expertise of three leading lightweight construction brands Siniat, Promat and EOS Facades. The combination of expertise in drylining, external sheathing and steel framing systems, as well as passive fire protection - means that Etex Building Performance are uniquely positioned to bring together these elements to create a range of tested and warranted Thruwall® systems.
Supported by our 30-year warranty, these Thruwall® systems are non load-bearing infill solutions for the external building envelope combining BBA certified, non-combustible A1 external sheathing, engineered steel framing system and internal wall linings. Meeting building performance requirements for fire, thermal, weathering, acoustics and airtightness - Thruwall® provides an 'all in one' certified and warranted system providing crucial time and cost benefits.
EOS Façade's value engineered every system and component to ensure minimal impact - leading to rapid and cost-efficient construction and minimised intrusion on a sensitive site.
