From pilot to progress

The challenge 

Timber Square is a landmark net zero carbon development in Southwark, London, delivering over 360,000 sq ft Grade A office space. As part of a bold vision for sustainable urban regeneration, the project presented a complex construction challenge: delivering a hybrid superstructure across two distinct buildings. The first, involving the refurbishment and extension of the existing Print Building – the second, the Ink Building, a newly constructed high-rise. Coordinating these two structures, required seamless integration of the steel and cross-laminated timber (CLT) components. The project relied on precise sequencing, efficient crane logistics and real-time productivity monitoring to navigate structural challenges and meet its ambitious sustainability and performance objectives. 

The approach

To tackle the challenge of delivering a hybrid superstructure across two distinct buildings, the Timber Square project team adopted a data-driven methodology as part of the Construction Productivity Taskforce’s Pilot Sites initiative. Acting as Construction Manager and supported by a consortium of contractors and Cambridge University’s data analytics team, we used digital tools such as Lobster Cameras, OpenSpace video capture, crane telemetry via 1Guava, and turnstile data from DataScope to monitor real-time productivity. Installation was sequenced in double-floor cycles and productivity metrics were triangulated using manual checks, automated tracking and site diaries. The team also conducted weekly crane allocation reviews and implemented adaptive strategies to mitigate disruptions, such as prioritising critical zones and experimenting with extended working hours. A collaborative effort ensured that steel and CLT components were installed by a unified team, streamlining coordination and reducing logistical friction.

The outcomes

Although the project did not fully meet its planned production rates, which averaged 45.5 sq m per day for the Ink Building and 45 sq m per day for the Print Building, it delivered exceptional labour productivity that significantly exceeded industry benchmarks. The Ink Building achieved 0.53 sq m per worker hour, and the Print Building reached 0.44 sq m per worker, both well above the Cambridge dataset average of 0.21. These results were achieved despite external challenges, including 23 days of wind-related crane downtime, which affected lifting operations and scheduling. The hybrid steel and cross laminated timber design proved highly efficient, requiring fewer workers and eliminating the need for slab steel fixers or concrete gangs. The study also revealed valuable insights into crane utilisation, sequencing strategies and opportunities for prefabrication, which have informed recommendations for future projects. Timber Square ultimately demonstrated how smart planning, real-time data analysis and integrated delivery can overcome both structural and environmental challenges to achieve high-performance outcomes in modern construction.

This case study originally appeared in the Construction Productivity Taskforce’s Pilot Case Studies. You can read more details about what we learnt here: Construction Productivity Taskforce – Timber Square – Pilot Case Study | Be the Business