McGee lands City of London deconstruction project
By Steve Ducker04 April 2023
United Kingdom-based specialist engineering contractor McGee has been appointed by built environment investor Castleforge for deconstruction works at a site in the City of London.
The project at London’s 1 Golden Lane builds on McGee’s previous work at listed sites in the United Kingdom capital. (Photo: McGee)
McGee has used its carbon engineering expertise to develop an approach which allows the deconstruction and defabrication of the existing structural steelwork from the 1980s building, which means it can be recertified, refabricated and reused in the new proposed structure at 1 Golden Lane.
The company said this approach enables the proposed extension to emit less carbon than other structural solutions.
At the Golden Lane site, the work will see half the original building – which dates from the late 19th century – retained in its current form, with the deconstruction works taking place alongside it.
The proposed refabrication involves ribbon cutting the existing beams to increase the stiffness of the section.
McGee worked with the designer, industry bodies and Castleforge to demonstrate the viability of steelwork reuse in this scheme to reduce carbon emissions and ensure the protection of the original building.
This complex scheme builds on similar work by McGee at listed sites throughout London including Admiralty Arch and Claridge’s Hotel.
“It is our hope that by successfully delivering this scheme it will demonstrate that technical solutions around steelwork reuse are commercially viable for future schemes,” said group managing director Seb Fossey.
“I’m delighted that Castleforge has put its trust in the experience of our team to deliver this.”
