SCOPE OF WORK

Byrne Bros lead the way on this high profile project for the BBC and Land Securities in the heart of London with a complex RC substructure completed around extensive propping. Byrne's package, to Egton Wing, ran in conjunction with the refurbishment and fit out 'studio' package Ellmer Construction were completing in Old Broadcasting House. This allowed the Group to work together as it was Byrne who undertook the pouring of the cushioned floating floor slabs to the studios on behalf of Ellmers.

Among the constraints faced, was a very tight programme combined with restricted craneage and materials distribution. All materials were delivered to site 'just in time', allowing restricted areas to be free of materials until they were required for use. The superstructure works incorporated anti-vibration bearings to counteract the effects of the four tubes lines running under the project.

Ellmer Construction was highly successful in the design development, construction and fit out of 27 no. acoustic recording studios within the Grade II listed Old Broadcasting House. This project had the added challenges of working on a site above four tube lines and in an environment where live radio was continually broadcasted and not to be interrupted. The new studios in Old Broadcasting House are constructed as an isolated box within a box.

The new floor slabs were cast on top of floor springs positioned on the existing slab, once the floor is jacked up it forms an acoustically isolated floor. A steel frame is constructed on top to complete the frame of the box. The walls are constructed in many layers to achieve the required dB levels, meaning that some of the windows between the studios are 0.5m deep. The box is closed by the doors and ply attenuation lid, allowing the perforated panels and acoustic cloth to be fitted.