Case Study / Waterproofing

Bankside Yards West, London

4 Storey Basement Waterproofing

Bankside Yards is a monumental new development located along the South Bank of the Thames.

This impressive project aims to rejuvenate a previously underutilised area by replacing two outdated blocks on either side of the railway.

Primarily residential, the development, will also include offices, cultural venues, retail spaces, and leisure amenities, creating a vibrant and multifunctional community.

The main contractor, McGee, engaged MacLennan to develop an effective waterproofing solution for the basement levels. Designing a commercial basement, especially for mixed-use and multi-level structures, presents unique challenges. Therefore, involving a specialist waterproofing company at the design stage is essential for ensuring the integrity and functionality of such projects.

Method

The expansive basements extend across two levels, with an area reaching a depth of four levels. The entire subterranean space covers approximately 3,500 square meters.

This intricate project necessitated a waterproofing design capable of handling both intermittent and regular hydrostatic pressures from groundwater, as well as tidal impacts from the River Thames. Additionally, it had to address potential stress challenges from nearby heavily trafficked railway lines. Therefore, it is crucial to incorporate these considerations into the overall waterproofing design to ensure its resilience against such impacts.

A perfect waterproofing system would be defect free; nonetheless, the possibility of defects arising should be acknowledged. The ability to repair a waterproofing system is a crucial consideration in its design and a requirement of The British Standard BS8102:2022 ‘Protection of Below Ground Structures Against Water Ingress’.

Our experienced and qualified surveyor designed a robust waterproofing system incorporating two layers of protection. Crystal coat applied to internal walls of the structure, followed by a Cavity drain membrane System featuring channels, inspection ports, sumps and pumps. This method facilitates regular inspections and servicing ensuring water management and protection of the internal finishes.

Results

MacLennan successfully installed a fully compliant waterproofing system in the basement of Bankside Yards West, London.

The project was completed within the agreed time frames and budget.

We provided our own design and were engaged to carry out the installation, offering a comprehensive design, supply, and install service. As part of this service, we assume full liability for the waterproofing design, which is covered by our Design Guarantee and protected by our £10 million PI insurance.