The Leadenhall Building (Cheesegrater)
London, England · 2007-2014 · Not readily available
The judgement call
Account-gated at launchExternal structural expression: The building's engineering systems are expressed externally, making them an integral part of the architectural concept. - Northern support core: Houses passenger lifts and services, allowing for flexible office space. - Prefabricated elements: 85% of the building's construction value consisted of prefabricated and off-site construction elements, contributing to efficiency.
Key engineering challenges
Perimeter braced diagrid structure: This unique structural system, without a traditional central core, presented challenges in transferring loads and ensuring stability. - Sloped facade: The angled facade (10.62 degrees) and exposed structural elements required a holistic and creative engineering approach. - Prefabrication and off-site construction: While beneficial, this approach also created its own challenges in coordination and assembly. - Integration of services: Placing bathrooms and elevators without a central core required innovative solutions.
Project facts
- Client / owner
- British Land/Oxford Properties
- Lead contractor
- Laing O'Rourke
- Lead designers
- Rogers Stirk Harbour, Arup
- Project type
- new build
- Scale
- Height: 224 m (738 ft), 45 floors, 111,484 sqm (total floor area)
- Disciplines
- Structural Engineering; Architecture; Building Services Engineering
- Standards & frameworks
- UK Building Regulations (implied)
Sources: https://www.istructe.org/journal/volumes/volume-96-(2018)/issue-4/structural-engineering-of-the-leadenhall-building/; https://www.arup.com/en-us/projects/the-leadenhall-building/; https://steelconstruction.info/Leadenhall,_London; https://rshp.com/projects/office/the-leadenhall-building/; https://global.ctbuh.org/resources/papers/download/19-case-study-the-leadenhall-building-london.pdf