Restoration and repair works completed to the Embankment Terrace

Restoration and repair works to prestigious listed building and ancillary areas forming southern part of the Strand Campus have now been completed, having begun in March 2019.

 The programme’s critical path concentrated on removing the existing paving and substrate to access the failing waterproofing, which was causing severe damage to the masonry and research spaces below. What was anticipated as soft sandy substrate turned out to be cementitious and hard, with unknown and untraceable electrical cables laid sporadically within the substrate. 

Working very closely with all KCL project stakeholders, the team devised a safe and efficient method of completing the removal. New warrantied waterproofing was installed and the existing paving was re-laid, incorporating new drainage to substantially improve water run off from the terrace. New cables for future lighting were installed as part of the scheme as well. 

As an integral part of the works, extensive restoration and cleaning was undertaken to the stone and brick elements on the Terrace that included mortar repairs, indents, full surveys and replacement of deteriorated stone. The windows within the Terrace and on the Victoria Embankment were also overhauled and refurbished. 

The Boathouse, at terrace level, was restored with specialist cleaning, new lead roofs, masonry restoration works and carpentry and removal of hazardous mercury, a legacy from its former use. As KCL prepares for the next chapter in its storied history, we can all be proud to have been part of revitalising such an integral part of London’s cityscape.

Thank you to all our internal and external stakeholders, project delivery team including Sykes and Sons, Mike Jackson Consultancy, AECOM, Artelia and many others for all of your continued hard work during these uncertain times. We know that carrying out improvement works in and around the campuses can be inconvenient – and sometimes even disruptive. However, we hope that the positive benefits of this work in the across our campuses will maintain and improve our estate and our facilities to be ever more sustainable and to support our communities now and in the future. - Habibul Islam KCL