Constructing in crowded city centers where underground infrastructure is dense is never simple, but engineers in the U.K. continue to prove their resourcefulness.
A recent example is a new student accommodation project for the London School of Economics (LSE), located in the heart of London. Developed by Dominus and built by McAleer & Rushe, the 12-storey building will partly stand over the former Snow Hill railway station. Once finished, it will provide 669 student rooms, with 35% classified as affordable housing, and will also include ground-floor community spaces.
From the beginning, the project presented significant challenges. The site was previously occupied by a building constructed in the 1950s, before the railway tunnel existed. In 2020, this structure was demolished, but its removal proved difficult due to the location’s closeness to surrounding properties at Holborn Viaduct and Snow Hill — a busy section of London’s financial district.
Despite these obstacles, the project gained approval from the City of London, largely because it preserved the city’s historic skyline according to the London View Management Framework. Additionally, city officials highlighted the positive social impact the project could bring.
“The development offers an opportunity to attract a new generation of young people to the area,” the City of London commented. “Its location, near the future Museum of London and the emerging Culture Mile, will help shape the neighborhood into a cultural hub.”
However, engineering difficulties remained. Traditional foundation techniques, such as piling, were ruled out due to the fragile underground environment. The area is layered with:
- The old Snow Hill railway station and tunnel.
- The still-operating Central Line subway.
- An unused Post Office Railway tunnel.
- Multiple service viaducts containing essential electrical and data cables.
Further complicating the project, the railway tunnel’s 1960s precast plank roof could not withstand the weight of modern piling rigs.
“It was a highly complex and restricted site, making conventional construction methods nearly impossible,” said Anupriya Rajpal, development director at Dominus.
Instead, the team turned to a traditional solution. Engineers will dig five caisson piles by hand, each 20 metres deep and spaced five metres apart. Workers will manually excavate soil with shovels, hoisting it to the surface using a rope-and-bucket system before transferring it to a conveyor.
These hand-dug caissons will widen to about five metres at the base. They will be partially filled with concrete and steel reinforcement. Overhead, steel trusses will bridge the railway line to connect with conventional foundations on the opposite side, allowing the building to safely span the tunnel.
To minimize vibrations from the nearby subway, the design incorporates rubber bearings between the steel structure and the concrete columns, ensuring comfort for future residents.
Beyond providing accommodation, the design — led by Stiff + Trevillion Architects and Jonathan Cook Landscape Architects — aims for a BREEAM Excellent sustainability rating. Features include:
- Off-site manufactured façade units and modular bathroom pods.
- Green spaces and water conservation strategies.
- Energy-saving systems to lower carbon emissions during and after construction.
When completed, the project will offer students amenities such as a café/bar, cinema, music rooms, games area, and gym. It will also feature 500 long-term and 32 short-term cycle parking spaces, open to both students and the public. A public-access roof terrace will provide sweeping views of London, including the famous St. Paul’s Cathedral.