Iconic projects
Playing a part in the construction of some of the world’s most iconic and internationally acclaimed buildings would make for rather a good day at the office. With a career in surveying, these building superstars are right at your fingertips.
Read more >
Steve McGuckin, MD programme and project management of The Shard, discusses his career
The Shard at London Bridge, London
In the world of skyscrapers, only one thing counts: height. Building the tenth highest tower in the country is great but it’s hardly iconic. Building the tallest tower in Western Europe, however, is well worth getting out of bed for. The Shard in Southwark, London, is destined to be 310 metres tall, containing 83 storeys, and once complete in 2012 will take on the crown of Western Europe’s tallest building from Frankfurt’s Commerzbank Tower which stands at 259 metres.
Designed by Italian architect Renzo Piano, this new tower on London Bridge is intended to resemble a shard of glass, with its sharp, angular façades of glazing, shooting up from the city’s skyline to create an instantly recognisable and striking landmark. The Shard is also thought to be the world’s first skyscraper to use a top down construction method for its structural core. This means that the basement will be constructed from the ground floor down, while the 80-storey structure is being built from the ground floor up.
The first 37 floors will be public areas and amenities, with office space above. Then there will be a Shangri-La Hotel (the first in Europe), beneath several floors of apartments and finally a viewing gallery topping it off.
Davis Langdon is the surveying firm on the project and David Williams is the team leader. “My team includes eight others working on the project,” says David. “I spend a lot of time on site and then in the office running the team. I look after all the quantity surveyors on the site and spend time doing valuation work. Every fortnight I spend three or four days with the international team of designers that come across from Europe.”
Currently, David and his team are still procuring the work but now the old Southwark Tower, which was formerly on the site, has been demolished, building has finally begun. Not surprisingly, David sees his work on The Shard as his career highlight so far, as it gives him a huge variety of work. He came to Davis Langdon five and a half years ago from EC Harris where he was a senior project surveyor. He has three more years to go on The Shard before he hopes to move onto other similarly exciting projects for Davis Langdon.
Saxo Bank, Hellerup, Denmark >
Looking up through the giant spiral staircase that forms the centrepiece of this iconic building in Tuborg Harbour, Denmark, towards the impressive glass roof, you might be forgiven for thinking you’d stepped into a ‘Charlie and the Chocolate Factory’ fantasy; a million miles… Read more >
Aquatics Centre, London >
One of the most complex engineering and construction challenges of the entire London 2012 preparations is the raising of the roof onto the new Aquatics Centre. Located to the south of the Olympic Park, the venue is being dubbed the ‘Gateway to the Games’ and its… Read more >
National Stadium, Beijing, China >
Perhaps more commonly known as the ‘Birds’ Nest’, The Beijing National Stadium took centre stage of the world on 8th August 2008 when it hosted the opening ceremony of the Beijing Olympics. Its nickname is due to its interwoven façade and saddle shaped steel… Read more >
Xeritown, Dubai >
Until now, construction in Dubai has challenged much of what is natural for the city: magnificent glass and steel structures have sprung up from what used to be rolling sand dunes while air-conditioned buildings fight the scorching Arabian temperatures to create a fake… Read more >
Spaceport America, New Mexico, USA>
In June 2009, a development plan was uncovered in New Mexico that could launch a new era of space exploration. The world’s first purpose built commercial spaceport, Spaceport America, is being commissioned by Virgin Galactic, part of… Read more >
