CASE STUDIES
- Leavesden Studios
- London Zoo
- Thamesmead
- DEPARTMENT STORE
- CHATHAM FLYOVER
- DEFRA
- KEMSLEY PAPER MILL
- Camden
Case Study: Leavesden Studios
PROJECT: Controlled Demolition of Leavesden Film Studios.
BACKGROUND: Originally used as an airfield in World War 2, the vast complex of hangers and hard standing which made up the Leavesden site was subsequently used by Rolls- Royce to produce helicopter engines. It was first used for filming in 1995 when it hosted the James Bond movie GoldenEye. Since then, the facility has been home to other movies including Star Wars, The Dark Knight and all eight of the Harry Potter movies. It remains one of only a few places in the UK where large scale film productions are possible. When filming of the final Harry Potter film, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2 was complete, the site's owner Warner Brothers embarked on a £100m redevelopment program to upgrade the studio facilities and provide a Harry Potter-themed visitor attraction. The facility's 500,000 sq foot of indoor space required extensive refurbishment and, in some cases total demolition in order to facilitate the new Harry Potter visitor attraction and two new stages for future film work. The redevelopment program, which has included an extensive amount of controlled demolition and on-site recycling by Downwell Demolition, has ensured the facility has the capability to produce global blockbusters for many years to come.
LOCATION: Watford, Hertfordshire.
CLIENT: Bowmer and Kirkland.
Requirements
- Dismantle scaffold framework located in studios' ceiling recesses.
- Controlled removal of studios' ceilings, roof panels, and gutters.
- Studios' iron framework structures to remain intact.
- Stage sets including Harry Potter's 'Great Hall' to remain protected during controlled dismantling and alteration work being carried out nearby.
- Complete demolition of adjacent ancillary buildings.
- Demolition waste to be segregated and recycled.
- Crushing and screening of concrete waste on-site.
- Minimal disruption to adjacent construction and redevelopment work.
- Limited time frame for completion of project. Site to remain secure at all times.
Solutions:
- Deployment of Downwell Demolition's experienced project management team and CPCS qualified labour force.
- Site enclosed with Heras fencing & debris sheeting and secured by manned access point.
- Controlled dismantling of specific building sections in a predetermined order by work force operating specialist cutting and access equipment.
- A fleet of modern machinery deployed to demolish condemned structures in a safe and controlled manner with minimal noise.
- Concrete, steel, wood and plastic waste separated onsite.
- 20,000m3 of concrete crushed and screened in-situ using mobile crusher and screener with 6F1 and 6F2 type-specific material produced and stockpiled.
- Water-based dust suppression equipment used during demolition and concrete crushing.
- Remaining materials removed from site to be recycled.
Key Benefits:
Environmental
- Negligible disruption to adjacent construction work for visitor attraction.
- Minimal dust and noise.
- Concrete arisings crushed, screened and reused on site reducing lorry journies to and from site and therefore carbon emissions.
- Remaining debris sorted on site and removed for recycling.
Financial
- Project completed on budget.
- Specialist equipment owned and operated by Downwell Demolition ensuring fixed costs and qualified, experienced operators.
- Day to day operation of Leavesden Studios unaffected by operation.
- Nearby residential and commercial centres unaffected by demolition work.
Time
- Extensive fleet of equipment deployed en masse to ensure expeditious demolition.
- Completed within time frame allocated.
