The development of the Bench Street East site was to include for a Creative Centre for the use of Arts, a College campus and facilities for small businesses. Originally intended to be three separate buildings the scheme was developed creatively to house everything under one roof, reducing the amount of façade and M&E services.
The site is situated adjacent to the River Dour and Fairhurst undertook the flood risk and drainage strategy. The site is located within Flood Zone 3, with part of the building protruding into this area. An undercroft space was designed to avoid flood compensation and allow flood water to accumulate and disperse as required. Surface water discharges to the river, for which Fairhurst secured the necessary consents. The site presented constraints including its location alongside the River Dour, flood risk and existing below-ground structures from previous developments.
Dover is well known for its historic heritage, and the site is located on a former dock whilst also being adjacent to the remains of a Bronze Age boat. Fairhurst worked closely with archaeologists to undertake the required ground investigations, with the site carrying significant archaeological potential. Due to the ground conditions, piled foundations were required. Previous development had left piled foundations from a demolished building, together with basements and vaulted public highways along Bench Street. These structures had to be assessed, made safe and infilled to allow development to proceed.
A reinforced concrete frame was selected incorporating flat slab, ribbed and waffle slabs to respond to differing spatial requirements and structural spans. Flat slabs were utilised where appropriate, while ribbed slabs were adopted over larger spans to minimise concrete volumes. The waffle slab was introduced for both function and form over the central space, complementing the structural arrangement and creating a distinctive look.
The internal bridge link was designed in steel to allow installation in sections around the site crane, with completion undertaken following crane removal.
