Comprising 120,000 sq ft of best-in-class office space with stunning terrace views across London, Brettenham House is set to become an iconic headquarters destination for its future occupiers.
GKR Scaffolding has been at the forefront of this landmark project, delivering a complex temporary access solution and environmental containment through a bespoke temporary roof structure. Working within the narrow logistical constraints of Savoy Street, we maintained safe access and egress throughout, overcoming challenges inherent to a densely populated and heritage-sensitive area.
Chosen for our proven record on high-risk, complex projects such as The Shard and 25 Canada Square, our innovative approach once again demonstrates why we are recognised as a benchmark for scaffolding excellence in the UK and why NASC members continue to set the standard across the industry.
GKR worked alongside Principal Contractor McLaren Construction from the outset of the project. At tender stage our team foresaw risks such as wind impact, loadings on a historic building, and managing high pedestrian footfall. Using task-video analysis mock-ups, we virtually delivered our product to stakeholders, aligning design, methodology and programme accuracy before construction began.
Commercially, GKR value-engineered with the client and delivered the scaffold three weeks ahead of programme. We also supported McLaren and Westminster Council’s early careers initiative, employing local labour and opening the site to Build UK Open Doors to showcase careers in construction.
For a project of this scale, innovation was essential.
• A 100% tool and material tethering policy was implemented, including GKR’s industry-first Elimin-8 tethered scaffold fitting to prevent falling materials from height.
• We became the first scaffolding company in Europe to invest in AI technology monitoring manual handling techniques, creating a case study for McLaren that is helping raise safety standards across the sector.
Our scope included:
• 8,200 m² of independent scaffold
• 4.2 km of platforming
• An 80 m cantilevered 10 kN gantry spanning Savoy Street
• Two 2,000 kg cantilevered beam hoists plus two cantilevered hoist base supports
• A 2,200 m² temporary roof, hand-built due to limited space and mechanical constraints
This represented 11,520 operative hours with zero lost-time injuries, showcasing the skill of our operatives and leadership team.
Sustainability embedded into delivery
GKR’s ‘High rise Low carbon’ mindset underpinned our work at Brettenham House. During the project we achieved Science Based Target Initiative (SBTi) validation, becoming the first scaffolding business in Europe to do so, with Scope 1 & 2 Net Zero already achieved and Scope 3 on track for 2045.
All project deliveries were made using HVO-fuelled lorries, operatives wore recyclable workwear, and excess materials were systematically recycled, embedding circularity and responsible supply-chain principles into the project’s delivery.
Delivering excellence on an iconic building
Brettenham House brought together heritage sensitivity, complex logistics and advanced safety requirements in one project. Through early planning, innovative engineering and a focus on sustainability, GKR delivered temporary works that set a new standard for scaffolding on London’s most prestigious developments.
