Client: Interserve Construction Ltd Canary Wharf College, Glenworth, designed by HKS Architects, is a compact yet efficient educational facility located in the Isle of Dogs, London. With 18,800 square feet of space, the school accommodates children aged 4 to 11. The college maximises the limited urban site through clever planning, exceeding initial expectations for the number of teaching spaces. The exterior features a subtle brick palette that blends with the surrounding area, creating a strong visual identity. Services we provided Environmental & Sustainability Consulting Building Surveying Civil & Infrastructure Engineering Geotechnical & Ground Engineering Structural Engineering Transport Planning & Traffic Engineering Water Engineering & Flood Risk Show More Our Role BWB was engaged for a comprehensive range of pre-planning and design services for Canary Wharf College. Our team began with transport planning, producing a detailed Transport Statement to identify expected travel patterns for students and staff. We worked closely with the local highways authority to propose sustainable travel options and mitigate concerns about increased traffic. This included recommendations to stagger the start and finish times of the school day to better manage peak hour congestion, ensuring minimal disruption to local residents and businesses. Full structural design Our Structural and Civil Engineering teams delivered the full structural design for the college, featuring a steel-framed structure for future flexibility and adaptability. We advised on off-site fabrication methods given the restricted site access, and developed a design that maximised the use of prefabricated elements to reduce on-site construction time and minimise disruption. The structure was designed to withstand complex ground conditions while providing robust foundations for the multi-storey building. Environmental expertise Our specialist Environmental teams also conducted a series of assessments, including Flood Risk, Ecology, and Archaeology surveys. These studies informed the design and ensured the project adhered to local and national environmental standards. We navigated the planning process with Tower Hamlets Council, providing technical support that helped secure planning approval at the second attempt, overcoming initial objections from the Council due to concerns about traffic impact. Party wall award The pre-planning phase concluded with our team producing the Party Wall Award for the development, ensuring that the interests of neighbouring property owners were protected. This collaborative approach and clear communication with stakeholders were crucial to achieving a successful project outcome.