Propping the future hub of London travel

Paddington Cube

Our temporary modular propping system increased site access, reduced excavation time and improved safety.

Contractor

Erith Group

Location

Paddington Station, London

About

The Paddington Cube is part of the £850m major renovation project, Paddington Square, due for completion in Spring 2022. Already referred to as ‘The Cube’, it comprises of a 14-storey, glass-cladded building positioned on top of three-storey podiums, providing a 350,00 sq ft area that will be used for offices, retail outlets and restaurants.

Erith Construction, the project’s basement contractor, previously carried out the £6m demolition contract at the site in 2018, removing the former Royal Mail sorting office at 31 London Street. They went on to achieve success in the bidding process winning the second phase piling and enabling works contract.

Basement excavation at Paddington Cube
Close up selection of props on Conquip truck en-route to Paddington Cube site via FORS Gold delivery service

Challenge

The most prestigious propping project we have worked on with an excavation area comprising of three storeys. The main challenges presented with this project and all subterranean sites, especially those in densely populated areas, were site access and the impact the of the construction process on the local community.

Welding steel framework at Paddington Cube
Erith Construction excavating
Site operative wearing orange hi-vis clothing securing large temporary propping system on back of Conquip truck
Temporary outage propping at The Cube

Solution

Conquip’s measured approach, providing the client with an end-to-end design service, resulted in Erith opting for a temporary modular propping system, rather than using structural steel, the preferred method for this contractor on past projects.

Our design team ensured props were deliberately positioned to provide the largest possible access area, increasing the efficiency of personnel and equipment access, reducing the time to excavate waste, and improving the overall site safety.

Our in-house transport capabilities provided the perfect solution for the logistical challenge of transporting the propping to and from the site.

Feedback

"What I like most about Conquip is the team. Every time I asked for information they were very quick with their responses and made everything clear."

Julian Malasi | Site Engineer | Erith Construction


"Both Erith and Conquip finding solutions to get the job done in record time"

Salvatore D'Agostino | Assistant Project Manager | Erith Construction