FP McCann Supplying Precast Concrete Acoustic Wall Lining System and Hollowcore Flooring to New BBC Music Studios
Project: New BBC Music Studios and Sadler’s Wells East Theatre, Stratford, London
Client: London Development Corporation (On behalf of the BBC)
Architect: Allies and Morrison
Structural/Acoustics Engineer: Buro Happold
Main Contractor: Kilnbridge
Products Supplied: FP McCann Precast Concrete Wall Lining System; Pre-stressed Hollowcore Flooring
FP McCann has secured the contract to supply an internal precast wall lining system along with hollowcore flooring to the new BBC music studios based in Stratford, East London.
The new building which will also incorporate a new Sadler’s Wells East theatre is located in the heart of a vibrant new cultural quarter in East London’s Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park. It is scheduled to open in 2025. The new music studios will replace the existing BBC studios in Maida Vale and will be the new home of the BBC Symphony Orchestra.
The new BBC building is currently under construction headed up by the London Development Corporation. Flanagan Lawrence has been appointed as the BBC’s Architect for the Fit Out. Also working on the project are Arup Acoustics and the base build team led by Allies and Morrison Architects. The £30 million contract for the building frame work including internal walls and flooring has been awarded to London based engineering and construction group, Kilnbridge.
Kilnbridge, a turnkey specialist structures contractor, approached FP McCann early in the design stage of the project along with Arup Acoustics to explore the use of a precast concrete acoustic wall lining system in the studios in combination with a hollowcore panel roof structure, itself also having proven excellent acoustic properties.
The reinforced precast concrete studio wall lining units are all 150mm thick with a Type C surface finish and comprise of single solid panel sections together with units that have cast in openings for doors and studio viewing windows. All sections are being delivered from FP McCann’s Littleport factory in Cambridgshire. To date, 117 precast wall lining panels have been supplied with a further 140 scheduled for delivery to the final studio fit out.
The hollowcore flooring system delivered from Uddingston, South Lanarkshire, comprises prestressed steel reinforced concrete planks ranging from 150mm to 400m deep. In total, some 4,800m2 of hollowcore flooring will be supplied onto the project.
Additionally, each upper floor of the studios has been linked with FP McCann precast concrete stair flights.
Speaking on behalf of Kilnbridge, Project Director, Nick Gilmore says, “The FP McCann precast concrete acoustic wall lining system together with the precast steel reinforced hollowcore planks and stair flights as specified as part of the specialist internal frame build, are all being supplied to the highest standard. The simple and speedy fixing of all of the precast concrete products is ensuring that the work is being undertaken in a very safe and efficient manner”.
The new building and location will help to establish the East London area as a key music and arts destination, and will enable the BBC to further develop its audience relationship with live music both locally and nationally.
For further information on FP McCann’s specialist solutions, contact the team at Littleport on 01353 861416 or email sales@fpmccann.co.uk
