Buro Happold, Skanska and CBRE played host to a special guest recently at the Palestra site in Southwark. Lord Robin Inchyra won a unique opportunity to tour the new speculative office development when he put in the highest bid at auction in aid of the Multiple Sclerosis International Federation (MSIF). An auction was held in February at a global dinner party where £6,000 was raised to help fund research into multiple sclerosis.
The chief executive of MSIF, Christine Purdy, joined Lord Inchyra, MSIF’s treasurer, on his tour of the site. They were given a rare glimpse behind the scenes of what will become a new landmark for the Southwark area. Highlights of the tour included the ‘dancing’ columns and views of the 9th floor 7.5m cantilever over Blackfriars Road.
“Because this will be such an interesting addition to the landscape, I feel honoured to have seen the construction at first hand,” said Lord Inchyra. “My office is nearby, so I have watched the building’s progress at close hand. Now I’ve seen the innovation behind its design, I eagerly await its completion,” added Christine.
Designed by Alsop Architects, work on Palestra began in January last year. Skanska is the main contractor for the project, which is a joint venture between Blackfriars Investments Ltd and Royal London Asset Management for the client, Southpoint General Partner Ltd. Buro Happold is engaged as the structural engineer, mechanical and electrical engineer, facade engineer and is also the disability design consultant.
Buro Happold
Press office and practice information at www.burohappold.com
Buro Happold is a multi-disciplinary international practice of consulting engineers established in 1976 offering civil and structural engineering, mechanical and electrical engineering, quantity surveying, building services and environmental engineering, health and safety management, infrastructure and traffic engineering, ground engineering, façade engineering, fire engineering, computational fluid dynamics analysis, disability design consultancy, project management, urban design and a range of specialist CAD services.
Solveig Sellers
Telephone 020 7927 9700 Fax 0870 787 4145
Email Solveig.Sellers@burohappold.com
Multiple Sclerosis International Federation
About MSIF
Established in 1967, the Multiple Sclerosis International Federation links the work of national MS Societies worldwide. We are committed to working together and with the international research community to eliminate MS and its devastating effects. We also speak out on a global level for those affected by MS.
Our priorities are:
• International research
• Exchange of information
• Development of new and existing MS societies
• Advocacy
What is MS?
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is one of the most prevalent diseases of the central nervous system. It occurs as a result of immune damage to the myelin sheath, which insulates the central nervous system’s nerve fibres. This damage blocks the passage of nerve impulses from the brain to other parts of the body.
It is not yet known quite how this damage occurs. Environmental factors and genetic predisposition are almost certainly involved. Symptoms vary widely and include blurred vision, weak limbs, tingling sensations, unsteadiness, incontinence and fatigue. Some people may feel and seem healthy for many years after diagnosis, while others may be severely debilitated very quickly.
MS is typically diagnosed between the ages of 20 and 40. Three women have the disease for every two men. Across the world some 2.5 million people have MS.
Gemma Carr Jones
Telephone 0207 620 1911 Fax 0207 620 1922
Email gemma@msif.org
Skanska
Skanska results announced on February 16th 2005 reported the UK had achieved net sales of £798 million and EBITA (Earnings Before Interest, Tax and Amortisation) £22.1 million for the year ending December 31st 2004. The organisation employs 3500 people in the UK.*
Skanska UK Plc operates under three business streams, combining design, building, civil engineering and building services with a wide range of specialist skills to provide integrated project solutions for its clients.
o PFI/PPP Business Stream
o Civil Engineering & Specialists Business Stream
o Construction Business Stream
