The opportunity

We supplied and erected the steelwork, open grid flooring, industrial access stairs and metalwork for the Becton and Crossness treatment centres, which are situated almost opposite one another, on the north and south banks of the River Thames.

The operation

The Crossness building was one of the most challenging that we have ever built. The roofline swoops in four different planes. The sides of the building are vertical concave curves, and on plan the shape of the building is oval with truncated ends.

The profile required by the architects, for both buildings, dictated that there were virtually no straight lines. The structure had to accommodate complex external arched interfaces without the use of curved steel, while performing as a heavy process support structure internally.

The result

Becton and Crossness were built simultaneously. Throughout, we worked closely with Amec-Lurgi Consortium to coordinate our works with the installation of their heavy process equipment. In accordance with EU directives these plants incinerate East London's sludge and put an end to the previous practice of dumping it at sea.