This project encountered a number of unique and evolving design challenges as the scheme progressed. The extremely constrained site required the building footprint to occupy its full extent and was immediately bounded by an operational shopping centre, public realm, a trunk road and Underground tunnel running directly beneath the site.  

The winning project is The Eades in Walthamstow, London, by designers Barrett Mahony Consulting Engineers. 

The Eades development comprises 495 one- and two-bedroom residential units arranged within two towers of 34 and 27 storeys constructed above an operational shopping centre. The structural solution was based on 1,375 prefabricated modules installed over a 40-week programme to minimise disruption to ongoing retail operations. Foundations were engineered to span the Victoria Line Underground tunnels and interfaced with the existing shopping centre basement. 

These constraints necessitated close collaboration with multiple stakeholders to manage interfaces with the shopping centre and to protect the London Underground infrastructure during both construction and long-term operation.