Winner of RICS 2015 Award for Regeneration

LSBU appointed Neilcott following a single stage competitive tender to construct the Clarence Centre, a University-based innovation and incubator centre for entrepreneurs offering flexible high-quality office spaces, start-up units for small businesses and support facilities, public cafe and gallery. This ambitious project re-used seventeen derelict Grade II-listed Georgian terraced buildings and a former Victorian public house within their Southwark campus, adding new-build circulation/ ancillary spaces to the rear to create a modern facility – transforming neglected heritage buildings.

At project commencement the external condition of the buildings had remained intact since the University undertook stabilisation works in 2006 to preserve their historic fabric, however the internal condition of the buildings was generally very poor.

• Neilcott provided valuable insight into all preconstruction areas, including developing a steelwork solution allowing insertion prior to demolition, saving any requirement for façade retention, enabling programme to be achieved.
• The project required substantial internal reconfiguration of spaces requiring complex structural alterations. Working methods and temporary works were designed by Neilcott’s in house structural/temporary works engineer and carried out by Neilcott’s in-house directly-employed structures team. This approach unlocked delivery, providing complete control, maximum flexibility to overcome problems and reduce cost.
• The project was heavily serviced requiring careful coordination of new services routes and sympathetic creation of new openings within the existing structure.
• The listed elevations were carefully restored including reconstruction of some elements, adopting traditional construction techniques and materials.
• Although traditionally-procured, Neilcott committed a Design Manager to work with the client’s design team, led by architect Rivington Street Studios (Structural Engineer – Conisbee, M&E Max Fordham), to ensure that extensive CDP elements were fully-coordinated with the primary design and specialist detailing was available when required – enabling efficient conclusion of primary design to programme.

“The completed project has exceeded the University’s expectations. It was delivered on time, within budget, is very well liked by the tenants and the University’s Enterprise team.”                                                                                                                                          Roger Tuke – London South Bank University