Lessons to be learned 10 years on from completion of the Shard

As the London’s iconic Shard skyscraper, which is the UK’s tallest building at 309.6m, gets ready to mark the 10th anniversary of its opening on 1 February, this episode catches up with Flan McNamara who led the construction project for Sellar Property Group.

As well as exploring the logistical challenges of bringing the architectural design of Renzo Piano and the engineering work of WSP to life, Flan and NCE editor Claire Smith talk about lessons learned during the life of the project.

Flan talks about how digital technology evolved during the lifespan of the Shard Quarter project, which transformed both the skyline around London Bridge station and was integral to the modernisation of the station itself. He talks about BIM being in its infancy when the Shard itself was conceived and the potential benefits such technology could bring to the project if it was starting today.

Flan also discusses the pace of change that saw a huge leap forward in the technology used to deliver the buildings surrounding the Shard that came later in the programme. However, he believes that the industry needs to go further and faster with adopting digital twin technology to really drive construction efficiency and productivity.

Flan and Claire conclude the conversation by considering what the tall buildings sector might look like in another 10 years when the Shard marks its 20th anniversary. Flan believes that it is only airport flight paths holding London back from another building taking the Shard’s record but whatever the height of future tall buildings, he thinks that mixed use developments are the key to success both for the climate and commercially.

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