Smart Climbing Solutions Enable Efficient High-Rise Construction

Smart Climbing Solutions Enable Efficient High-Rise Construction

In the heart of Cartagena’s dense urban environment, the 22-storey Sun City residential tower illustrates how high-rise construction techniques are advancing in Latin America. Within one of Colombia’s most space-restricted coastal districts, Doka’s formwork solutions support efficient, safe, and precise construction – addressing the region’s growing demand for urban space and vertically oriented residential developments. Precision and performance under limited spaceDeveloped by URBAIBERICA-URBACOLOMBIA and executed by ACTÚA DESARROLLOS S.A.S, Sun City will reach 75 meters into the skyline of Cartagena’s Bocagrande district. Designed for modern coastal living, the building features sea-view apartments and a barrier-free layout. However, the project’s greatest challenge lay in its surroundings: limited site access, minimal storage capacity, and narrow logistics corridors, which demanded an exceptionally well-coordinated construction approach. To address these conditions, Doka engineered a comprehensive formwork and climbing concept that optimized space utilization and supported an efficient construction process. The Automatic climbing formwork SKE100 plus together with Frami Xlife wall formwork delivers fast, continuous vertical progress in constructing the central core. Additionally, the Automatic climbing formwork Xclimb 60 combined with Doka’s large area formwork Top 50 support the exterior concrete works, ensuring precise alignment and high-quality surface finishes. Together, these solutions enable high productivity and strict safety standards on site. Smart, space-saving formwork technology“Sun City is being built under very tight space constraints. With Doka climbing solutions, we are enabling fast progress, efficient logistics, and high safety standards – despite these challenges”, says Project Manager Ricardo Outten. Doka’s experienced engineering teams in the Austrian headquarter and Panama collaborate closely to adapt every detail to the site’s specific requirements. Advanced engineering and planning as well as on-site support ensure precise execution and seamless coordination between the core and finishing works, while optimized logistics keep material flow consistent within the confined space. The combination of automatic climbing technology and Doka’s engineering expertise proves decisive on site. The SKE100 plus and Xclimb 60 systems support reliable cycle times and minimize crane use and enable efficient work sequences in confined space. The flexible Frami Xlife and Top 50 formwork systems support construction accuracy and consistency, reducing adjustments and contributing to a safe, well-organized workflow. “This high-rise building is more than just an opportunity to showcase our smart climbing technology. it is a commitment to consistently meeting and exceeding our client’s requirements despite challenging site conditions”, adds Pedro da Sliva, Managing Director Doka Panama & Colombia. A reference for future high-rise projects in Latin AmericaWith Sun City, Doka reinforces its position as a trusted partner for complex urban construction in the region. The project demonstrates how Doka’s established climbing solutions meet strict technical and safety requirements, even on confined urban sites. Its combination of global engineering expertise and local project management provides a model for future high-rise construction in Latin America. Project Facts• Projecty: Sun City• Location: Cartagena de Indias, Colombia• Structure type: 22-storey residential tower• Developer: URBAIBERICA -URBACOLOMBIA• Client: ACTÚA DESARROLLOS S.A.S.• Construction time: 2024 – 2026• Systems used: Automatic climbing formwork SKE100 plus, Framed formwork Frami Xlife, Automatic climbing formwork Xclimb 60, Large-area Formwork Top 50, Dokaflex Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

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The Critical Role of Structural Engineers in London’s Residential Transformation Projects

The Critical Role of Structural Engineers in London’s Residential Transformation Projects

London’s built environment presents one of the most technically challenging contexts for structural engineers anywhere in the UK. With much of the housing stock dating from the Victorian and Edwardian periods, and large areas of post-war housing now reaching obsolescence, structural engineering is the invisible framework supporting the capital’s ongoing residential renewal. From internal alterations to complex basement and loft conversions, the involvement of a structural engineer London developers and homeowners can rely on is now indispensable. The Expanding Scope of Structural Input Structural engineering is no longer confined to end-stage calculations. In London’s dense urban fabric, engineers are engaged from the earliest feasibility stages to test viability, manage risk, and inform planning applications. Even apparently straightforward refurbishments frequently reveal hidden complexity once strip-out begins—irregular load paths, shallow foundations, or aged materials that no longer perform to design assumptions. Removing load-bearing walls remains one of the most common domestic interventions. Open-plan layouts dominate modern living requirements, but determining which structural elements can be altered safely requires detailed assessment. Load-bearing walls transfer the combined weight of floors and roofs above to the foundations; removing them without properly designed temporary works or permanent support can trigger cracking, distortion, or even partial collapse. Beyond wall alterations, engineers underpin the success of loft conversions, rear and side extensions, and basement excavations. Each modification redistributes loads and alters the building’s behaviour. Structural analysis defines how new elements—steel beams, padstones, columns, or reinforced slabs—integrate with the existing frame while maintaining global stability. Regulation and Compliance in the Capital London’s regulatory environment is exceptionally stringent. Every borough applies the Building Regulations through its own control team, often adding conservation or heritage constraints. Structural engineers must demonstrate compliance with BS EN 1992 (Eurocode 2) and related standards, showing how proposed works sustain design loads safely. Incomplete or unverified information can delay approvals, trigger enforcement, or lead to costly remedial works. As CIAT Chartered Architectural Technologists and structural engineers, AC Design Solution operates across this complex landscape, delivering coordinated architectural and structural packages that satisfy Building Control requirements from the outset. With more than 10,000 UK projects completed, the practice integrates compliance, detailing, and constructability to reduce design iterations and site risk. The Party Wall etc. Act 1996 introduces an additional layer of regulation for much of London’s housing. Any work involving shared structures or excavations near boundaries requires formal notices and agreements. Structural engineers collaborate closely with party wall surveyors to align technical design, sequencing, and legal responsibilities, preventing neighbour disputes and ensuring projects progress smoothly. Technical Challenges of Period Construction Historic London properties demand an understanding of 19th- and early-20th-century construction logic. Solid brick walls, shallow footings, and timber joist systems behave very differently from modern cavity or framed structures. Many buildings show evidence of historical movement or past alterations undertaken without engineering oversight. When internal walls are removed or openings enlarged, engineers first map the original load paths and restraint mechanisms. Internal masonry walls often provide lateral stability to façades; their replacement requires portal or box-frame systems to replicate the missing stiffness. Timber decay is another recurrent challenge. Rot and insect damage can significantly reduce the capacity of joists or rafters. Structural engineers assess existing timbers and specify replacement with stress-graded or engineered members as needed. Foundations frequently prove inadequate for new loads. Victorian brick footings, sometimes only half a metre deep, cannot always support additional storeys or heavy steelwork. Targeted ground investigations allow engineers to confirm bearing capacity and, where necessary, design underpinning or reinforced concrete rafts that control settlement. Integrating Modern Engineering Approaches Contemporary practice combines established materials with advanced analytical techniques. Structural steel remains the preferred choice for open-plan designs, offering high strength and minimal section depth. Engineered timber—laminated veneer lumber or glulam—provides sustainable options in suitable applications. Hybrid solutions are common: steel beams supporting timber floors, or composite decks integrating acoustic and thermal layers to meet performance standards. Basement developments represent the most technically demanding category of domestic work in the capital. These require retaining-wall design, waterproofing strategies, and carefully sequenced underpinning to protect neighbouring properties. Engineers assess groundwater, soil type, and adjacent foundation levels before establishing excavation and temporary-works strategies. The margin for error is narrow, making experienced structural input vital to both safety and cost control. Sustainability and energy performance now influence structural detailing as strongly as load capacity. Under Building Regulations Part L, cold bridging through structural elements must be minimised. Engineers coordinate closely with architects to integrate thermal breaks or insulation layers without compromising strength or fire resistance. Cost, Value, and Risk Management While structural engineering typically represents around 10–15 percent of total professional fees on residential projects, its role in reducing risk and optimising value is far greater. Through value engineering, structural specialists rationalise schemes for material efficiency and buildability—selecting standard steel sections, simplifying reinforcement, and sequencing works to minimise programme time and temporary support requirements. Early engagement brings clear benefits. Feasibility advice at concept stage helps define realistic spans, load assumptions, and foundation strategies before costly design development. Proactive collaboration between engineers, architects, and contractors leads to smoother approvals and fewer site variations. Professional oversight also protects clients and investors from liability. Building Control can withhold certification for non-compliant work, while insurers may reject claims arising from unverified structural alterations. Chartered structural engineers carry Professional Indemnity insurance, providing reassurance that design risk is properly managed. Selecting the Right Partner Choosing the right structural engineering partner is critical to project success. Chartered membership of the Institution of Structural Engineers or Institution of Civil Engineers signals proven competence and adherence to professional standards. Local experience adds further value: familiarity with borough-specific regulations, ground conditions, and construction typologies accelerates approvals and ensures pragmatic, buildable solutions.

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Electrical Work in Modern Construction: How It Shapes Safety and Efficiency

Electrical Work in Modern Construction: How It Shapes Safety and Efficiency

Look around any modern building and you’ll see clean lines, smart controls, and subtle lighting. What you don’t see is the complex electrical network running behind walls and under floors. Those hidden systems keep everything working safely and efficiently. Electrical work shapes how a building breathes, moves, and stays secure. It connects every system that keeps a space functional and comfortable. From a downtown high-rise to a neighborhood clinic, careful electrical planning turns blueprints into dependable, energy-smart environments. Build Strength Through Reliable Electrical Systems A building’s strength goes far beyond concrete and steel. Its essential infrastructure depends on reliable electrical systems that power lighting, HVAC units, communication lines, and automated equipment. When these systems are well designed and installed, you get consistent performance and fewer long-term issues. That reliability starts in the planning phase. Electrical engineers and contractors analyze layouts, load demands, and energy requirements long before a single wire is pulled. Poor coordination here can lead to outages, inefficiencies, or expensive rewiring later on. That’s why working with a Fort Myers electrical contractor or licensed electrician in your area is a smart move. A skilled team understands local codes, plans for long-term efficiency, and ensures every electrical installation is completed with care and accuracy. The right professionals help you avoid costly disruptions, which saves time and protects your investment. Protect Lives by Ensuring Electrical Safety Every safe building starts with electrical precision. Faulty electrical wiring, overloaded circuits, and ignored standards are major causes of fires and shocks. Fortunately, most of these electrical hazards are preventable when you follow updated codes and carry out regular safety checks. Proper grounding, high-quality circuit breakers, and well-balanced load distribution protect both people and property. Routine inspections identify weak spots before they become serious problems, ensuring systems remain secure and dependable. When safety protocols and electrical expertise come together, you get a structure that’s protected from the inside out, not only compliant but also trustworthy. Boost Efficiency Through Smarter Energy Use Energy efficiency used to be a bonus. Now it’s a necessity. Modern electrical work focuses on cutting energy waste without cutting comfort. From LED lighting to motion sensors that switch off when no one’s around, every smart feature adds up to measurable savings. Electrical contractors design systems that adapt to energy demands in real time. Power management tools track usage patterns, helping you spot where energy goes and how to reduce it. Integrating renewable energy, such as solar panels or battery storage, further lowers costs and carbon output. Even electrical equipment choices can impact performance. Selecting quality components that support future upgrades ensures your building stays efficient for years to come. High standards today lead to stronger, more sustainable systems tomorrow. Transform Projects With Electrical Technology Technology has completely reshaped how electrical systems are planned and installed. Tools like Building Information Modeling (BIM) let electricians and engineers work from digital blueprints that reveal every wire path and component. This reduces errors, rework, and costly on-site surprises. Automation also plays a growing role. Smart automation systems control lighting, heating, and security through connected networks. These systems respond to occupancy and environmental changes, improving comfort while lowering energy use. Today’s electricians need both technical skill and digital knowledge. They interpret data, program systems, and fine-tune networks that once seemed futuristic. Technology doesn’t replace their expertise. It enhances it, allowing them to work faster and more safely. Strengthen Collaboration for Compliance and Success No construction project succeeds in isolation. Electrical work links directly with architectural design, mechanical systems, and structural plans. That’s why collaboration is essential. Electricians, engineers, and inspectors must share information and coordinate every phase to ensure everything fits together correctly. Good communication prevents rework, which saves both time and money. It also ensures that all electrical components meet local and national safety standards. The inspection process verifies that installations comply with regulations, keeping projects safe and legally sound. Compliance goes beyond paperwork. It reflects professional pride and a strong sense of public responsibility. This commitment leads to safer, more efficient buildings that stand the test of time. Final Insights Electrical work shapes every part of modern construction, from planning and design to safety and sustainability. Reliable systems protect lives, smart technologies reduce waste, and skilled electricians bring it all together with precision and care. As buildings grow smarter and greener, electrical expertise will only become more valuable. Tomorrow’s structures will depend on today’s well-designed systems, powered by professionals who understand both safety and innovation. Whether you’re constructing a new facility or upgrading an old one, remember this: solid electrical work isn’t a hidden feature. It’s the foundation of every safe, efficient, and future-ready building.

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Stone, Time and Technology: How Modern Engineering is Protecting Athens’ Ancient Ruins

Stone, Time and Technology: How Modern Engineering is Protecting Athens’ Ancient Ruins

Step through the gates of Olympus and you meet a reality far more exacting than myth: stone fatigue, seismic stress, polluted air and the relentless wear of millions of visitors. Today’s conservators blend traditional craft with advanced engineering to keep Athens’ classical monuments standing, proving that careful intervention can outlast another century of wind and sun. Why conservation favours “minimum intervention”Athens’ major projects follow a simple rule: do as little as necessary, and make every action reversible. Blocks are returned to their original positions wherever possible (anastylosis), fractured elements are stitched with discreet titanium dowels and clamps, and missing stone is replaced like-for-like with Pentelic marble. Lime-based micro-mortars—often pozzolan-modified—are used instead of hard cement to allow breathability and sympathetic movement. This philosophy reduces internal stresses, prevents trapped moisture and preserves options for future specialists as knowledge and techniques evolve. Survey first, then touch the stoneBefore a chisel is lifted, teams deploy digital survey tools to understand the geometry and condition of each structure to sub-millimetre accuracy. High-resolution laser scanning and close-range photogrammetry create point clouds for Building Information Models, allowing engineers to test options virtually—phasing, temporary works, lifting sequences and the impact of re-introducing displaced members. Digital twins then track behaviour over time, correlating micro-crack progression, thermal expansion, vibration and visitor loads with weather and seismic data. That data-led approach has become a staple of conservation reporting and technology features in 2024. Seismic resilience without visual compromiseAthens sits in an active seismic zone, so discreet strengthening matters as much as aesthetics. Stainless pins and titanium connectors are preferred for their strength-to-weight ratio and corrosion resistance, while carefully detailed sliding or dissipative interfaces can decouple vulnerable elements from shock energy without altering the monuments’ profiles. Where foundations are at risk, engineers improve subgrade drainage and reinstate historic water management to limit seasonal movement—one of the quiet causes of cumulative cracking. Cleaning that protects the patinaStone cleaning is now a surgical process, not a cosmetic one. Low-pressure micro-abrasion with inert media, laser ablation for black crusts and sulphation, and controlled nebulised water systems remove harmful deposits while preserving the protective stone skin. Each surface is mapped and test-cleaned in panels, stepping down the method until the most conservative technique that achieves the goal is found. Post-cleaning, breathable shelter coats and sacrificial poultices help resist re-soiling in the city’s polluted microclimate. Reassembling history, piece by numbered pieceMany Athenian fragments were taken down decades ago for safety, catalogued and stored. Today, those archives—drawings, photos, inventory tags—combine with new digital models to guide reassembly. Matching old and new marble is a craft in its own right: the grain, hue and crystal structure must align, and joint geometry is refined so replacement inserts carry load but remain visually subordinate. Every addition is date-stamped and recorded so future conservators can read the structure like a ledger. Managing people as carefully as masonryEven the best technical fix fails if visitor pressure overwhelms it. Site teams plan routes, queuing, rest points and guided flows for groups of eight or more to minimise vibration spikes and contact points on vulnerable thresholds. Wayfinding nudges feet away from fragile paving; subtly graded ramps keep wheel loads off weak stones; and smart counters throttle access when micro-vibration monitors breach set thresholds. Good crowd design is preventive conservation. Craft still carries the finishBehind the sensors and models is a guild of conservators—stonemasons, carvers, grout specialists, riggers—whose tacit knowledge sets the standard of finish. Hand-dressed arrises, lime mortars cured under wet hessian, and patient corrections to bedding let the technology shine without stealing the show. Training and apprenticeships ensure those skills persist, so interventions remain legible, honest and beautiful. What a modern programme looks like: The result is not a replica, but a living structure that reads as ancient, works as architecture and behaves as a safe, durable asset in a seismic, polluted, heavily visited city. It is a partnership between stone, time and technology—each respecting the others’ limits.

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McLaren Construction reaches fast-track milestones at Panattoni Park Swindon

McLaren Construction reaches fast-track milestones at Panattoni Park Swindon

Construction is advancing at pace at Panattoni Park in Swindon, with McLaren Construction (Midlands & North) firmly on track to deliver the landmark 545,000 sq. ft. logistics and industrial scheme within the 39-week programme. McLaren is delivering the speculative design and build contract on behalf of Panattoni, supported by UMC Architects, KAM Project Consultants, BWB Consulting and Construction CDM Services. The project continues to hit key milestones of the 39-construction week schedule, and the steel frame is now complete, the internal roof largely finished, windows are being installed, and cladding installation is progressing steadily. Roofing works are well advanced with lining sheets due for completion, and externally, concrete slab works are underway, the multi-story car park deck is poured, kerbs are being installed, alongside power and water service installations. The office area is fully glazed and cladding of the striking link bridge – connecting the main building to the multi-storey car park – is now taking place. First-fix mechanical and electrical services have begun within the warehouse, and internal finishes and the office fit-out is progressing well. On completion, the development will offer premier logistics space with two storeys of high-spec office accommodation and a decked car park. The scheme is targeting BREEAM ‘Outstanding’ and EPC A+/A ratings, with a commitment to achieving net zero upfront carbon emissions. Historically, the site was used as brownfield land before being an airfield during World War II, and then later it was redeveloped for car manufacturing by Honda in the late 20th century. This regeneration is part of Panattoni’s wider plan to bring new life and jobs to the area following the closure of Honda’s operations in 2021. Luke Arnold, Regional Director at McLaren Midlands & North, said: “We’re proud to be delivering this project at pace and to such a high standard. This is a flagship scheme, not only for Panattoni but for the wider region, and our team is focused on maintaining momentum right through to completion in early 2026.” Panattoni Park Swindon is poised to deliver high-quality industrial space in a location with excellent connectivity and legacy infrastructure, further strengthening Swindon’s position as a key logistics hub in the South West. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

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GPE secures planning for West End HQ revamp at Whittington House

GPE secures planning for West End HQ revamp at Whittington House

Great Portland Estates (GPE) has received planning approval for a major refurbishment of Whittington House in London’s West End, paving the way for 74,500 sq ft of new premium headquarters workspace. Camden Council has resolved to grant consent for the comprehensive eight-storey revamp, which will retain the building’s original Richard Seifert & Partners architecture while introducing a series of modern, sustainability-led upgrades. The proposals include enhanced energy performance, improved building services, a new rooftop terrace and a pavilion overlooking the recently pedestrianised Alfred Place. Due for completion in early 2027, the scheme will strengthen GPE’s growing cluster of Grade A offices around Tottenham Court Road. Together with the Gable Building, the Courtyard Building and existing holdings on Alfred Place, the Whittington House project will help deliver a combined 220,000 sq ft of high-spec workspace in one of the capital’s most connected locations. The refurbishment is designed to respond to evolving occupier expectations for quality, flexibility and amenity, rather than pursuing wholesale demolition. By retaining and reworking the existing structure, GPE aims to reduce embodied carbon while still delivering a workplace that meets modern standards for comfort, wellbeing and environmental performance. Trevor Phyo, senior development manager at GPE, said: “Securing planning permission from Camden Council marks a significant milestone for this project. We’re proud to be breathing new life into this building, recognising its architectural heritage, and transforming it into a standout workplace that reflects the future of office design.” With planning now secured, detailed design and pre-construction work will progress ahead of the main build, positioning Whittington House as a key part of GPE’s long-term West End office strategy. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

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