Case Study: Lewisham High-Rise Development
Client: OBR Group for Tide Construction
Location: Lewisham, London
Products Supplied: Prefabricated Stair Flights, Permanent Balustrades, Wall-Mounted Handrails
The Challenge
In 2020, Stair Formwork Ltd was approached by OBR Group to supply formwork solutions for a prestigious new build development in Lewisham, London. Working for Tide Construction—a leader in high-rise residential schemes—the project demanded exceptional speed, precision, and reliability.
The development comprised 75 levels across three stair cores, requiring 150 individual stair flights and accompanying permanent balustrades. The primary challenge was the pace of construction. OBR Group were utilising an impressive slipform construction method, and our client made it a condition of the purchase order that stair deliveries must match the speed of the rising core—at its peak, this meant supplying 15 floors per week.
The Solution
Stair Formwork Ltd’s market-leading manufacturing capacity and design flexibility made us the ideal partner. We worked directly from the client’s existing drawings to detail and fabricate our formwork and balustrades, ensuring seamless integration with the slipform process.
All designs were produced in AutoCAD format for easy approval before manufacturing commenced. Once approved, we initiated a phased manufacturing and delivery schedule that mirrored the site’s rapid progress. Crucially, we supplied permanent balustrades and wall-mounted handrails from the earliest stages, eliminating the need for temporary systems and enhancing site safety immediately.
The outcome
Over a 6-month period, Stair Formwork Ltd successfully delivered all 150 stair flights in line with site requirements. The key benefits realised by the client included:
- Unmatched Reliability: We met the demanding 15-floor-per-week peak, ensuring the slipform never waited on stairs.
- Enhanced Site Safety: By supplying permanent balustrades early, we helped OBR Group reduce the risk of falls at the leading edge.
- Quality Assurance: All products were manufactured and quality-checked in-house, conforming to high-quality standards and building regulations.
- Seamless Logistics: Our compact stair design and staged delivery schedule prevented site congestion and storage issues.
This project remains one of our proudest achievements. It demonstrates our ability to support major contractors on complex, high-speed developments and cements our reputation as a reliable, customer-focused partner in the construction industry.
“Stair Formwork Limited were chosen to design and supply OBR Group on this prestigious new build development. At its peak, we were supplying 15 floors a week across three cores—a testament to our manufacturing capacity and commitment to site requirements.”
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