Brent Cross Plot 1 - Offsite Manufacture
Appointed by BAM Construction as the specialist design and build contractor for Plot 1, part of Related Argent’s £8bn Brent Cross Town Development, PCE is advancing the offsite manufacturing phase.
With its unique supply chain model granting the freedom to select the best offsite manufacturers for each project, PCE has engaged six specialists from across the UK and Europe to manufacture its components for Plot 1’s systemised kit of parts.
Plot 1 is pioneering as it is the tallest of its kind to combine precast concrete with cross-laminated timber (CLT), resulting in a striking and sustainable structural solution that aligns with Brent Cross Town’s net zero carbon goals. The systemised kit of parts comprises over 6,000 components, including precast beams, columns, solid walls, twinwalls, stair cores, hollowcore slabs, solid slabs, structural steelwork, and CLT flooring. PCE are experts in combining hybrid structural materials, using its ‘smart connectivity’ to easily interchange different structural materials within its systemised solution, enabling structural, aesthetic, and sustainability optimisation.
Sustainability
A key focus of the project has been reducing the carbon footprint of the concrete mix. Through collaborative research, PCE and its supply chain specialists have successfully lowered the embodied carbon in the concrete, supporting the overall sustainability goals.
Plot 1’s CLT flooring further emphasises the project’s sustainability focus. Known for its strong load-bearing qualities and additional benefits such as acoustic, fire, seismic, and thermal performance, CLT also adds a natural aesthetic to the structure. Beyond its structural and performance benefits, CLT stores carbon, locking it within the building for decades and contributing to long-term sustainability.
The timber for the project is responsibly sourced from Stora Enso’s sustainably managed forests in Austria using renewable electricity. Once sourced, engineered mass timber specialists Eurban provide design and build expertise, aligning to PCEs quality standards across structural delivery.
Offsite Strategy
In preparation for the full offsite strategy, PCE and its supply chain partners sample, test, and agree on component quality, setting benchmark standards for manufacturing consistency. Following sample approval, PCE quality controllers are stationed across the supply chain to monitor, coordinate, and support the manufacturing process.
Additionally, digital twin technology, Ynomia, tracks components and quality data and status in real-time throughout the offsite manufacturing process, displayed through interactive 3D visualisation. The real-time tracking enhances project coordination and just-in-time delivery. This technology supports adherence to The Golden Thread, ensuring comprehensive documentation and transparency throughout the structure’s lifecycle.
