{"id":681639,"date":"2022-12-22T11:00:45","date_gmt":"2022-12-22T11:00:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.architectsjournal.co.uk\/?p=681639"},"modified":"2022-12-22T16:08:00","modified_gmt":"2022-12-22T16:08:00","slug":"building-revisit-cartwright-pickards-pioneering-prefab","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.architectsjournal.co.uk\/buildings\/building-revisit-cartwright-pickards-pioneering-prefab","title":{"rendered":"Building revisit: Cartwright Pickard\u2019s pioneering prefab"},"content":{"rendered":"<p class=\"p1\">Half a mile north of London\u2019s Old Street roundabout, Murray Grove runs east-west for 500m, and in it are two buildings that introduced two quite different prefabricated construction methods to the capital.<\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\">In 2009, Waugh Thistleton delivered a nine-storey apartment block made of substantial CLT elements \u2013 an admirably avant-garde scheme in the British context at that time. Ten years earlier, Cartwright Pickard Architects produced 30 affordable rent apartments in two five-storey wings connected by a cylindrical lift and stair tower at the corner of Murray Grove and Shepherdess Walk.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-681655 size-large\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.rt.emap.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2022\/12\/07105631\/MURRAY-GROVE_DWGS3-1024x547.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1024\" height=\"547\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.rt.emap.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2022\/12\/07105631\/MURRAY-GROVE_DWGS3-1024x547.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.rt.emap.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2022\/12\/07105631\/MURRAY-GROVE_DWGS3-300x160.jpg 300w, https:\/\/cdn.rt.emap.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2022\/12\/07105631\/MURRAY-GROVE_DWGS3-768x410.jpg 768w, https:\/\/cdn.rt.emap.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2022\/12\/07105631\/MURRAY-GROVE_DWGS3-620x330.jpg 620w, https:\/\/cdn.rt.emap.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2022\/12\/07105631\/MURRAY-GROVE_DWGS3-230x123.jpg 230w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/p>\n<p class=\"p3\">It was Peter Cartwright and James Pickard\u2019s first project, and they won the Peabody-organised design competition against architects that included Ian Ritchie and Future Systems. Pickard, an ex-prot\u00e9g\u00e9 of Peter Foggo, had previously approached Peabody director Dickon Robinson at a Rowntree Trust housing innovation conference. He mentioned that he had worked in Sweden, had direct experience of Swedish prefabricated timber frame housing, and wanted to explore modular construction at larger scales.<\/p>\n<p class=\"p3\">The Murray Grove buildings are composed of steel-framed modules which were fully factory-fitted internally, with doors and windows installed. The modules were delivered to site by a precisely timed cavalcade of lorries and craned into their positions within 10 days; the entire five-storey stair and lift cylinder was delivered in a single crane-drop.<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_681661\" class=\" wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 2570px;\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"size-full wp-image-681661\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.rt.emap.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2022\/12\/07110225\/1-2791-4-5d047c57b23a7ce8aac3d338450242ee.jpeg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2560\" height=\"2227\" \/><p class=\"wp-caption-text\">Photograph of scheme taken on completion in 1999<\/p>\n\t<p class=\"inline_image_source\" style=\"max-width: 2570px;\">Source:Martin Charles<\/p><\/div>\n<p class=\"p3\">These prepared elements of the building accounted for half the project\u2019s construction cost. The only post-module works involved the connection of the balconies to the fa\u00e7ades, the clip-on terracotta tiling, tongue and groove cedar boarding, and the craned installation of prefabricated roofing.<\/p>\n<p class=\"p3\">The foundations and groundworks were the only part of the six-month build that were significantly time-consuming, and a later BRE assessment noted that, although the modular approach at Murray Grove cost 5 per cent more than a comparable project built in standards ways, the overall construction period was half the norm.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"breakout aligncenter wp-image-681674 size-large\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.rt.emap.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2022\/12\/07111905\/MURRAY-GROVE_DWGS4-1024x341.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1024\" height=\"341\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.rt.emap.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2022\/12\/07111905\/MURRAY-GROVE_DWGS4-1024x341.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.rt.emap.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2022\/12\/07111905\/MURRAY-GROVE_DWGS4-300x100.jpg 300w, https:\/\/cdn.rt.emap.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2022\/12\/07111905\/MURRAY-GROVE_DWGS4-768x256.jpg 768w, https:\/\/cdn.rt.emap.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2022\/12\/07111905\/MURRAY-GROVE_DWGS4-230x77.jpg 230w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/p>\n<p class=\"p3\">Externally (we were not able to enter any of the apartments) the buildings seem to have barely aged. The German tiling on the street-facing fa\u00e7ades has not weathered noticeably and retains an even colouring.<\/p>\n<p class=\"p3\">The same applies to the visible structural steel elements and the still-gleaming steel cross-ties that connect the columns of the exo-frames carrying the precast concrete balcony bases. Their subtly coffered soffits, whose design was resolved cost-effectively in discussions with the manufacturer, are also regular in colour, without oxidisation or staining where their edges meet the steel.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"breakout aligncenter wp-image-681665 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.rt.emap.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2022\/12\/07110550\/RACHELFERRIMAN-MURRAYGROVE-020_edit2-copy.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2560\" height=\"1707\" \/><\/p>\n<p class=\"p3\">The south and east-facing elevations overlook a courtyard garden well protected from lengthy spells of sunlight and the sight and sound of traffic in Murray Grove and Shepherdess Walk \u2013 which explains why the horizontal boards of the western red cedar cladding exhibit very little of the uneven bleaching that this species is prone to; and, because of the 1.5m depth of the roof overhang, there is no significant water run-off marking.<\/p>\n<p class=\"p3\">The nail-less cedar cladding has recently, and for the first time, been given a Class 0 fire coating and, more than two decades after the boards were factory-fitted to the modules, there is no sign of cracking or warping; nor is there any age-related movement. The selection of Danish-made Velfac double-glazed windows \u2013 aluminium-framed externally, timber-framed internally \u2013 was significantly more expensive than most comparable British glazing of the time but, like the other key features, there are no obvious signs of wear and tear to the powder-coated surfaces. The project was delivered and signed off with zero defects. One post-occupancy assessment five years after completion found a significant reduction in maintenance costs compared with comparable housing in standard structures.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-681675 size-large\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.rt.emap.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2022\/12\/07112133\/RACHELFERRIMAN-MURRAYGROVE-006-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" \/><\/p>\n<p class=\"p3\">These observations are uncomfortably repetitive, but they confirm the long-term durability and quality of the architecture, which is particularly evident in the building\u2019s details. Pickard was intent on designing elevations that were limber and spare in the Miesian sense and this has produced graphic and three-dimensional effects that are fine-lined, rather than pushily expressive.<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_681671\" class=\" wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 1549px;\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"breakout wp-image-681671 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.rt.emap.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2022\/12\/07111534\/2791-738d6b521c4037c4e1b08f4288389984-copy.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1539\" height=\"886\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.rt.emap.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2022\/12\/07111534\/2791-738d6b521c4037c4e1b08f4288389984-copy.jpg 1539w, https:\/\/cdn.rt.emap.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2022\/12\/07111534\/2791-738d6b521c4037c4e1b08f4288389984-copy-300x173.jpg 300w, https:\/\/cdn.rt.emap.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2022\/12\/07111534\/2791-738d6b521c4037c4e1b08f4288389984-copy-1024x590.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.rt.emap.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2022\/12\/07111534\/2791-738d6b521c4037c4e1b08f4288389984-copy-768x442.jpg 768w, https:\/\/cdn.rt.emap.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2022\/12\/07111534\/2791-738d6b521c4037c4e1b08f4288389984-copy-1536x884.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/cdn.rt.emap.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2022\/12\/07111534\/2791-738d6b521c4037c4e1b08f4288389984-copy-230x132.jpg 230w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1539px) 100vw, 1539px\" \/><p class=\"wp-caption-text\">Interior photographs taken on completion in 1999<\/p>\n\t<p class=\"inline_image_source\" style=\"max-width: 1549px;\">Source:Martin Charles<\/p><\/div>\n<p class=\"p3\">We see this in the relatively slim sections of the exposed vertical and horizontal steel elements, in the degree of opacity of the metal balustrade panels, and in the plain and minimal connections between the panels and the handrails. We see it in the elegant asymmetry and radiused \u2018prows\u2019 of the obtuse triangular-plan balconies projecting from the east and north fa\u00e7ades.<\/p>\n<p class=\"p3\">Most satisfyingly, perhaps, we encounter it in the tautly controlled expressiveness of the architecture in the still-shiny radiused soffit ribs of the steel decks in the stair\/lift tower. Considered as a whole, or through its individual details, it\u2019s hard to assign a particular date, or even a decade, to this architecture; its design is a salutary riposte to the hundreds of apartment buildings with vulgarly tricked-up, ugly, or mute fa\u00e7ades that have appeared in London since 1999.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p3\">There is one superficial but very noticeable worm in the bud. Bearing in mind the almost eerily unmarked endurance of the building\u2019s surfaces and exposed structural elements, the external aluminium mesh panels of the tower silo \u2013 whose details are nicely finessed \u2013 are a depressing coda: the metal has obviously never been de-grimed and, compared with the rest of the architecture, appears literally leaden. Peabody has been remiss: the screens could be revived with nothing more than a soap-and-water scrub.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"breakout aligncenter wp-image-681673 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.rt.emap.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2022\/12\/07111717\/RACHELFERRIMAN-MURRAYGROVE-034_edit-copy.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2560\" height=\"1707\" \/><\/p>\n<p class=\"p3\">David Stronge, Peabody\u2019s design director, confirmed that Murray Grove was the first of the organisation\u2019s buildings to be the product of 3D modular design and construction, and preceded their 2002 BedZed zero-carbon housing.<\/p>\n<p class=\"p3\">\u2018It did take a good bit of bravery to make [Murray Grove] happen,\u2019 he says. Since then, Stronge adds, innovations in Peabody\u2019s housing projects have been considered on a case-by-case basis. Some innovative systems won\u2019t be used on taller buildings if there are site-related logistical problems: \u2018The designs need to say they\u2019re better than the alternatives.\u2019<\/p>\n<p class=\"p3\">They need to stack up on a number of levels, including rapid achievement of watertightness and the need to deliver the most housing units possible on a site. Peabody remains exemplary in exploring novel construction systems \u2013 N\u00edall McLaughlin\u2019s dichroic glass fa\u00e7ade sections in Silvertown (2004) are an example and, looking ahead, Henley Halebrown\u2019s Edith Summerskill House tower in Fulham will feature prefabricated full-section outer walls craned in two-storey sections.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"breakout aligncenter wp-image-681676 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.rt.emap.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2022\/12\/07112351\/RACHELFERRIMAN-MURRAYGROVE-027_edit-copy.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2560\" height=\"1707\" \/><\/p>\n<p class=\"p3\">These are ambitious explorations. But even if schemes such as Murray Grove are both architecturally virtuous and functionally and socially successful (there is a very low turnover of occupants) there remains a general resistance to innovation in substantial housing projects.<\/p>\n<p class=\"p3\">The crude reasons are that the construction industry works to profit margins of around 2 per cent and an increasing number of architects\u2019 fee bids for schemes are less than 2 per cent of construction cost and this has been toxic to innovative design.<\/p>\n<p class=\"p3\">Quite apart from that, how many architects retain a primal fear that modularity and prefabrication will dilute their personal, and therefore unique, architectural creativity? This was obviously not the case at Murray Grove.<\/p>\n<p class=\"p3\">Directly opposite Murray Grove\u2019s west-facing wing is Micawber Street. It was Wilkins Micawber in Charles Dickens\u2019 <i>David Copperfield<\/i> who said: \u2018Never do tomorrow what you can do today\u2019. This logical and admirable dictum has rarely applied to innovative or modular housing.<br \/>\n<i>Jay Merrick is an architecture critic and author<\/i><\/p>\n<div class=\"inline_image fullsize image_size_full\" data-attachment=\"681652\">\n<p class=\"picture\"><span class=\"fullsize\" title=\"Show fullscreen\">\u00a0<\/span><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-681652\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.rt.emap.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2022\/12\/07105455\/MURRAY-GROVE_DWGS.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"660\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.rt.emap.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2022\/12\/07105455\/MURRAY-GROVE_DWGS.jpg 2250w, https:\/\/cdn.rt.emap.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2022\/12\/07105455\/MURRAY-GROVE_DWGS-300x284.jpg 300w, https:\/\/cdn.rt.emap.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2022\/12\/07105455\/MURRAY-GROVE_DWGS-1024x969.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.rt.emap.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2022\/12\/07105455\/MURRAY-GROVE_DWGS-768x727.jpg 768w, https:\/\/cdn.rt.emap.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2022\/12\/07105455\/MURRAY-GROVE_DWGS-1163x1100.jpg 1163w, https:\/\/cdn.rt.emap.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2022\/12\/07105455\/MURRAY-GROVE_DWGS-1268x1200.jpg 1268w, https:\/\/cdn.rt.emap.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2022\/12\/07105455\/MURRAY-GROVE_DWGS-1536x1453.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/cdn.rt.emap.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2022\/12\/07105455\/MURRAY-GROVE_DWGS-2048x1938.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/cdn.rt.emap.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2022\/12\/07105455\/MURRAY-GROVE_DWGS-230x218.jpg 230w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 2250px) 100vw, 2250px\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"inline_image fullsize image_size_full\" data-attachment=\"681657\">\n<p class=\"picture\"><span class=\"fullsize\" title=\"Show fullscreen\">\u00a0<\/span><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-681657\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.rt.emap.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2022\/12\/07105846\/MURRAY-GROVE_DWGS6.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"660\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.rt.emap.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2022\/12\/07105846\/MURRAY-GROVE_DWGS6.jpg 2250w, https:\/\/cdn.rt.emap.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2022\/12\/07105846\/MURRAY-GROVE_DWGS6-300x144.jpg 300w, https:\/\/cdn.rt.emap.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2022\/12\/07105846\/MURRAY-GROVE_DWGS6-1024x493.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.rt.emap.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2022\/12\/07105846\/MURRAY-GROVE_DWGS6-768x370.jpg 768w, https:\/\/cdn.rt.emap.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2022\/12\/07105846\/MURRAY-GROVE_DWGS6-1600x770.jpg 1600w, https:\/\/cdn.rt.emap.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2022\/12\/07105846\/MURRAY-GROVE_DWGS6-2000x963.jpg 2000w, https:\/\/cdn.rt.emap.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2022\/12\/07105846\/MURRAY-GROVE_DWGS6-1536x739.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/cdn.rt.emap.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2022\/12\/07105846\/MURRAY-GROVE_DWGS6-2048x986.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/cdn.rt.emap.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2022\/12\/07105846\/MURRAY-GROVE_DWGS6-230x111.jpg 230w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 2250px) 100vw, 2250px\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<h3 class=\"p1\">Architect\u2019s view<\/h3>\n<p class=\"p3\">Murray Grove was the first project of its kind in the UK to use steel-framed, fully modular volumetric manufacturing to improve construction quality and radically reduce time on site. Using principles more associated with car production, the building was almost totally manufactured offsite, using modular units that were fully fitted out in a factory and then assembled on site in just 10 days.<\/p>\n<p class=\"p3\">At the time, it was technically challenging to work in a completely new way with a manufacturer, but the project was globally recognised for its pioneering approach to design and the use of offsite methods, which were later called \u2018modern methods of construction\u2019 by the housing minister.<\/p>\n<p class=\"p3\">Over 20 years later, MMC (as it is now commonly known) has come of age and has become a viable, cost-effective and faster alternative to traditional methods that is widely adopted.<\/p>\n<p class=\"p3\">This project helped to kickstart Cartwright Pickard\u2019s fortunes shortly after we had set up and was the only building in the UK to be awarded Millennium Product status by the Design Council in 2000.<\/p>\n<p class=\"p3\">As the practice celebrates its 25th birthday, the approach taken at Murray Grove still embodies much of our design ethos: our constant drive to challenge the status quo and develop better solutions through the coming-together of architecture, manufacturing and environmental design.<br \/>\n<i>James Pickard, founding director, Cartwright Pickard<\/i><\/p>\n<div class=\"inline_image fullsize image_size_full\" data-attachment=\"681654\">\n<p class=\"picture\"><span class=\"fullsize\" title=\"Show fullscreen\">\u00a0<\/span><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-681654\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.rt.emap.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2022\/12\/07105556\/MURRAY-GROVE_DWGS2.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"660\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.rt.emap.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2022\/12\/07105556\/MURRAY-GROVE_DWGS2.jpg 2250w, https:\/\/cdn.rt.emap.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2022\/12\/07105556\/MURRAY-GROVE_DWGS2-300x178.jpg 300w, https:\/\/cdn.rt.emap.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2022\/12\/07105556\/MURRAY-GROVE_DWGS2-1024x607.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.rt.emap.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2022\/12\/07105556\/MURRAY-GROVE_DWGS2-768x455.jpg 768w, https:\/\/cdn.rt.emap.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2022\/12\/07105556\/MURRAY-GROVE_DWGS2-1600x948.jpg 1600w, https:\/\/cdn.rt.emap.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2022\/12\/07105556\/MURRAY-GROVE_DWGS2-2000x1185.jpg 2000w, https:\/\/cdn.rt.emap.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2022\/12\/07105556\/MURRAY-GROVE_DWGS2-1536x910.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/cdn.rt.emap.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2022\/12\/07105556\/MURRAY-GROVE_DWGS2-2048x1213.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/cdn.rt.emap.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2022\/12\/07105556\/MURRAY-GROVE_DWGS2-230x136.jpg 230w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 2250px) 100vw, 2250px\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<h3 class=\"p1\">Client\u2019s view<\/h3>\n<p class=\"p3\">Peabody was an early adopter of volumetric modular construction for affordable housing. Built in 1999, Murray Grove, now known as Shepherdess Walk, is an example of one of the UK\u2019s first multi-storey steel volumetric housing developments. The project was led by Cartwright Pickard with engineers Whitby Bird, manufactured offsite by Yorkon and managed on site by contractor Kajima. Over the past 23 years, we have found that the repairs and maintenance required have been broadly in line with our other more traditionally built buildings.<\/p>\n<p class=\"p3\">We have used the lessons learnt to inform our subsequent schemes. We ensure that innovations in design and construction contribute to creatively resolving any project constraints \u2013 financial, time or spatial.<\/p>\n<p class=\"p3\">For example, we used precast fa\u00e7ade panels on our project at Bow Creek to allow for factory precision in assembly and to ensure we didn\u2019t have scaffolding oversailing the busy A12. We design and detail smaller projects in a very traditional manner so that they appeal to the contractors and tradespeople operating in that part of the market or location, contributing to the local economy and supporting SMEs.<\/p>\n<p class=\"p3\">We intend to continue our work on innovative designs and constructions as new opportunities arise. One such future scheme is for a residential block in Hammersmith and Fulham by Henley Halebrown, which will be fabricated offsite in large fa\u00e7ade and structural panels and then be craned into place.<\/p>\n<p class=\"p3\">Conducting most of the assembly offsite will help us to reduce the number of deliveries, build more efficiently and bring down the length of time this project would take, minimising its impact on the local community in the neighbouring streets.<br \/>\n<i>David Stronge, director of design, Peabody<\/i><\/p>\n<div class=\"inline_image fullsize image_size_full\" data-attachment=\"681656\">\n<p class=\"picture\"><span class=\"fullsize\" title=\"Show fullscreen\">\u00a0<\/span><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-681656\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.rt.emap.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2022\/12\/07105803\/MURRAY-GROVE_DWGS7.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"660\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.rt.emap.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2022\/12\/07105803\/MURRAY-GROVE_DWGS7.jpg 2250w, https:\/\/cdn.rt.emap.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2022\/12\/07105803\/MURRAY-GROVE_DWGS7-300x189.jpg 300w, https:\/\/cdn.rt.emap.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2022\/12\/07105803\/MURRAY-GROVE_DWGS7-1024x645.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.rt.emap.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2022\/12\/07105803\/MURRAY-GROVE_DWGS7-768x484.jpg 768w, https:\/\/cdn.rt.emap.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2022\/12\/07105803\/MURRAY-GROVE_DWGS7-1600x1008.jpg 1600w, https:\/\/cdn.rt.emap.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2022\/12\/07105803\/MURRAY-GROVE_DWGS7-1905x1200.jpg 1905w, https:\/\/cdn.rt.emap.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2022\/12\/07105803\/MURRAY-GROVE_DWGS7-1536x967.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/cdn.rt.emap.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2022\/12\/07105803\/MURRAY-GROVE_DWGS7-2048x1290.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/cdn.rt.emap.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2022\/12\/07105803\/MURRAY-GROVE_DWGS7-230x145.jpg 230w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 2250px) 100vw, 2250px\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<h3 class=\"p1\">Original details<\/h3>\n<p class=\"p3\">The <i>raison d\u2019\u00eatre<\/i> behind Murray Grove is the use of offsite manufactured components and the dispensing with wet trades. These sketches illustrate the precast concrete walkway panels that are fixed back to the steel-framed modules. A steel channel is cast onto the front face of the precast concrete panels to allow it to be bolted to the steel columns that support its outer edge. This also allows the balustrade posts to be fixed back to it. The entire walkway structure was designed as a highly repetitive and standardised kit of parts that is both cost-effective and quick and easy to erect.<br \/>\n<i>James Pickard, founding director, Cartwright Pickard<\/i><\/p>\n<div class=\"inline_image fullsize image_size_full\" data-attachment=\"681658\">\n<p class=\"picture\"><span class=\"fullsize\" title=\"Show fullscreen\">\u00a0<\/span><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-681658\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.rt.emap.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2022\/12\/07105923\/MURRAY-GROVE_DWGS5.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"660\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.rt.emap.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2022\/12\/07105923\/MURRAY-GROVE_DWGS5.jpg 2250w, https:\/\/cdn.rt.emap.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2022\/12\/07105923\/MURRAY-GROVE_DWGS5-300x175.jpg 300w, https:\/\/cdn.rt.emap.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2022\/12\/07105923\/MURRAY-GROVE_DWGS5-1024x598.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.rt.emap.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2022\/12\/07105923\/MURRAY-GROVE_DWGS5-768x448.jpg 768w, https:\/\/cdn.rt.emap.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2022\/12\/07105923\/MURRAY-GROVE_DWGS5-1600x934.jpg 1600w, https:\/\/cdn.rt.emap.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2022\/12\/07105923\/MURRAY-GROVE_DWGS5-2000x1167.jpg 2000w, https:\/\/cdn.rt.emap.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2022\/12\/07105923\/MURRAY-GROVE_DWGS5-1536x896.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/cdn.rt.emap.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2022\/12\/07105923\/MURRAY-GROVE_DWGS5-2048x1195.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/cdn.rt.emap.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2022\/12\/07105923\/MURRAY-GROVE_DWGS5-230x134.jpg 230w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 2250px) 100vw, 2250px\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<h3 class=\"p1\">Project data<\/h3>\n<p class=\"p3\"><strong>Start on site<\/strong> \u200aMarch 1999<br \/>\n<strong>Completion<\/strong> \u200aNovember 1999<br \/>\n<span class=\"s2\"><b>Gross internal floor area<\/b> 2,150m<sup>2<br \/>\n<\/sup><\/span><span class=\"s2\"><b>Construction<\/b> <\/span><strong>cost<\/strong> \u200a\u00a32.3 million<br \/>\n<strong>Construction cost per m<sup>2<\/sup><\/strong> \u200a\u00a31,070<br \/>\n<b>Architect<\/b> Cartwright Pickard<br \/>\n<strong>Client<\/strong> \u200aPeabody<br \/>\n<strong>Structural engineer<\/strong> \u200aWhitby Bird &amp; Partners<br \/>\n<b>M&amp;E consultant <\/b>Engineering Design Partnership<br \/>\n<span class=\"s2\"><b>Quantity surveyor<\/b> MDA<br \/>\n<\/span><strong>Approved building inspector<\/strong> \u200aLondon Borough of Hackney<br \/>\n<strong>Main contractor<\/strong> \u200aKajima UK Engineering<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Half a mile north of London\u2019s Old Street roundabout, Murray Grove runs east-west for 500m, and in it are two buildings that introduced two quite different prefabricated construction methods to the capital. In 2009, Waugh Thistleton delivered a nine-storey apartment block made of substantial CLT elements \u2013 an admirably avant-garde scheme in the British context &#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":79611,"featured_media":681659,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_oasis_is_in_workflow":0,"_oasis_original":0,"ep_exclude_from_search":false},"categories":[706],"tags":[3001,2991,2992,5311],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v21.0 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>Building revisit: Cartwright Pickard\u2019s pioneering prefab<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"A return visit to Cartwright Pickard\u2019s first completed project \u2013 Murray Grove, now known as Shepherdess Walk \u2013 confirms it has stood the test of time as an exemplar of \u2018modern methods of construction\u2019\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.architectsjournal.co.uk\/buildings\/building-revisit-cartwright-pickards-pioneering-prefab\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_GB\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Building revisit: Cartwright Pickard\u2019s pioneering prefab\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"A return visit to Cartwright Pickard\u2019s first completed project \u2013 Murray Grove, now known as Shepherdess Walk \u2013 confirms it has stood the test of time as an exemplar of \u2018modern methods of construction\u2019\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/www.architectsjournal.co.uk\/buildings\/building-revisit-cartwright-pickards-pioneering-prefab\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"The Architects\u2019 Journal\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2022-12-22T11:00:45+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2022-12-22T16:08:00+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/cdn.rt.emap.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2022\/12\/07110114\/RACHELFERRIMAN-MURRAYGROVE-012-copy-1024x683.jpg\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"1024\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"683\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/jpeg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"Jay Merrick\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"Jay Merrick\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Estimated reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"11 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\/\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.architectsjournal.co.uk\/buildings\/building-revisit-cartwright-pickards-pioneering-prefab\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.architectsjournal.co.uk\/buildings\/building-revisit-cartwright-pickards-pioneering-prefab\",\"name\":\"Building revisit: Cartwright Pickard\u2019s pioneering prefab\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.architectsjournal.co.uk\/#website\"},\"datePublished\":\"2022-12-22T11:00:45+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2022-12-22T16:08:00+00:00\",\"author\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.architectsjournal.co.uk\/#\/schema\/person\/507d40a43796619cb82e098cbc766ed1\"},\"description\":\"A return visit to Cartwright Pickard\u2019s first completed project \u2013 Murray Grove, now known as Shepherdess Walk \u2013 confirms it has stood the test of time as an exemplar of \u2018modern methods of construction\u2019\",\"breadcrumb\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.architectsjournal.co.uk\/buildings\/building-revisit-cartwright-pickards-pioneering-prefab#breadcrumb\"},\"inLanguage\":\"en-GB\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"ReadAction\",\"target\":[\"https:\/\/www.architectsjournal.co.uk\/buildings\/building-revisit-cartwright-pickards-pioneering-prefab\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"BreadcrumbList\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.architectsjournal.co.uk\/buildings\/building-revisit-cartwright-pickards-pioneering-prefab#breadcrumb\",\"itemListElement\":[{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":1,\"name\":\"Home\",\"item\":\"https:\/\/www.architectsjournal.co.uk\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":2,\"name\":\"Building revisit: Cartwright Pickard\u2019s pioneering prefab\"}]},{\"@type\":\"WebSite\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.architectsjournal.co.uk\/#website\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.architectsjournal.co.uk\/\",\"name\":\"The Architects\u2019 Journal\",\"description\":\"Architecture News &amp; 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