Feature Article
EGY Update - Winter/Spring 2010
Removal of the existing turntable for restoration
© John Sturrock
Installing the new glazing to the Granary façade
© John Sturrock
Pouring of the third floor southern studio concrete slab
© John Sturrock
'Covered’ street with bridge walkways
© John Sturrock
New staircases in the Granary
© John Sturrock
Steel portal frame within the Western Transit Shed
© John Sturrock
Coffered ceiling in the theatre foyer
© John Sturrock
Heritage
The first of the two below ground turntable and associated mechanisms constructed in the 1800s has successfully been removed from Granary Square for temporary storage. Following agreement with English Heritage (EH) and London Borough of Camden (LBC), the eastern turntable, approximately 16 feet in diameter, has been removed in order to facilitate the installation of new subterranean infrastructure from the West Handyside Canopy to Granary Square. The removal procedure was undertaken over five days. The three main components of the turntable were carefully dismantled and lifted out by an 80 tonne crane. They were then transported by lorry to the northern part of the King’s Cross Central site for temporary storage. Both of the two remaining turntable’s structures uncovered by archaeologists in 2008 will undergo conservation and repair by a specialist restoration contractor, (in agreement with EH and LBC) prior to their reinstatement into the completed hard landscaping scheme.
It is expected that turntables will form a unique feature within the new Granary Square public realm, providing a visual reminder of the historical uses of the Granary Complex.
University of the Arts London
The first component of roof slab to the University was poured above the studios at the beginning of December and sights are now set for the completion of the reinforced concrete frame during spring. The temporary props that support the concrete slabs in the central covered street are being removed following completion of works, revealing for the first time the true depth and height of the covered street and expected views from ground level. The steel frame and metal decking for the link bridges has been installed for the concrete to be poured thereafter. The bridges run east to west across the covered street connecting the studios and lecture theatres on first, second and third floor levels. The smaller tower crane at the northern end of the building has been dismantled in order to progress installation of the fly tower roof truss steelwork, located at high level within the University’s new performance theatre.
On the lower floors of the Eastern Transit Shed the blockwork walls that enclose the University’s loading bay are complete and new services ducts are beginning to be installed below the concrete slab ceilings. The installation at third floor level of timber “glulam” rafters and steel frame that will support the new transit shed standing seam roof has also commenced. Following consultation and agreement with the LBC and EH, the existing internal walls have been cleaned using a non-abrasive pressure water technique. The clean up has revealed the original colour and texture of the heritage brickwork.
Likewise in the Granary, work has progressed with the installation of new staircases to the Granary central light well on the 1st and 2nd floors as well as new partition walls, raised floors, services ducts and risers on individual levels. The new steel circulation staircases in the northern corners have been installed, providing new access routes to all levels of the Granary. Externally, much of the scaffolding has been removed revealing for the first time the repaired southern façade of the Granary building with new glazed slot windows.
Western Transit Shed
In the Western Transit Shed the installation of the new structural frame and roof coverings has progressed southward. The first of the “glulam” beams supporting the roof above the heritage area and reconstructed stables has been installed.
