One Sherwood Street: realising the benefits of a modular approach

One Sherwood Street is a major mixed-use development on one of London's busiest thoroughfares. The architectural concept for the building includes a feature roof comprising a series of geometrically varying triangles and quadrilaterals which intersect at differing angles and pitches. Originally designed as a traditionally built, hot-rolled steel roof with individual infill members, the complexity of the design and detailing and site constraints saw the contractor seek an alternative approach. This article describes the off-site, modular approach adopted which allowed the roof to be prefabricated as a series of steel panels that could be assembled in a controlled factory environment. The modular approach brought significant benefits to the project, including tighter tolerances, better design coordination, less waste, and a reduction in site works, temporary works, deliveries and crane time, leading to a faster construction programme.