Projects

This high-rise single stair office building in central London comprises 6,500m² of office accommodation, located on a land locked site that allows for only one single stair access from Clerkenwell Green. Semper provided fire engineering services on this project, which included Computational Fluid Dynamics to justify a single staircase solution without lobby protection, as well as radiative heat calculations to remove the need for all fire resistance from the large externally glazed elevations.

We were delighted when WNSL asked us to rewrite the existing fire strategy for Wembley National Stadium. The original fire strategy was long, difficult to digest and lacked clarity and structure. In addition, the as-built construction drawings were no longer accurate and whilst new drawings had been produced these didn’t cross reference correctly with the existing fire strategy report. The request for us to redraft the report is testament to our ability to relay large quantities of complex information in a clear and concise way.

As a sub-contractor, Semper worked as the lead fire engineers for this £1bn 10-storey office building, located on the corner of Shoe Lane and Farringdon Street. The building is bigger than 26 football pitches and has the largest trading floor in London. It also houses a large internal atrium, café and dining spaces, as well as an auditorium and large conference centre. In addition, it has one of the largest private rooftop areas in London.

Victoria Square is a significant regeneration scheme for Woking town centre, providing two new key public spaces and 429 new homes within two tall residential buildings. A third tower incorporates an international 4-Star Hilton hotel with 189 bedrooms, a gym and a restaurant located on Level 21. There is also a sky bar on level 22 and significant banqueting and function space. This comprehensive, mixed-use development also includes a medical facility and additional multi-storey car parking facilities.

Semper were appointed as the main fire engineering consultancy on the project and have also been advising on the necessary site-related fire safety measures, including overall construction strategies, phasing schedules, fire risk management and any impact on the existing buildings and public realm, which must all remain operational throughout the duration of the development works.

Semper are developing the fire strategy for this historic building to enable a state-of-the-art visitor experience, teaching and learning resource, private hire venue and 63-bedroom hotel. The jail was built in the Georgian Era and extended in the 18th Century, resulting in a basic layout that does not meet modern standards. However, due to its dilapidated condition the project is considered ‘new build’. Fire engineering has permitted extended travel distances, novel smoke control systems and narrower staircase widths.

The redevelopment of the once famous Palais de Danse, at 125a Fountainbridge will be a unique, mixed-use development providing high-quality student residences and associated hub facilities with retail, commercial and leisure uses at ground floor levels facing onto Fountainbridge and the Union Canal. The Fountainbridge scheme consists of 250 beds, as well as an impressive 5,000sq ft communal area which includes a large social hub, movie room, gym, private dining and dedicated study areas.

The Prince Edward Theatre is a Grade II listed West End Theatre situated on Old Compton Street in the City of Westminster, London. At the same time as carrying out essential upgrade works, the management of the theatre wanted to investigate the likelihood of increasing the number of seats in the stalls area without having to modify current final exit widths. Using alternative fire safety engineering techniques and the inclusion of some extra passive fire safety measures in the foyer areas, it became possible to show that an additional 168 seats could be safely added. During the refurbishment works, a new seating design which now allows for extra width between rows, has since been installed.

The new science gallery at King’s College London creates new opportunities for its students, academics and the broader public to engage with the University’s cutting-edge research through collaborations with artists, designers and cultural organisations. It also provides a unique and original addition to the vibrant London Bridge area, helping to ensure that King’s is relevant to, and remains part of, the local community. Semper developed the fire strategy for this interesting and challenging project.

Albert Island is located immediately to the east of City Airport in London’s Royal Docks, an area of the capital that is undergoing an exciting transformation as part of ambitious regeneration plans recently announced by the Mayor of London and Mayor of Newham. Over £300 million of investment has been committed over the next five years to help unlock the area’s extraordinary potential, including considerable investment in transport infrastructure, arts and culture, digital connectivity, business growth and more. The 25-acre Albert Island site, owned by the Mayor of London, is a vital part of the regeneration of the Royal Docks. Semper are currently developing the fire strategy for this exciting mixed-use development.