Royal Eden Docks, London

Once the largest enclosed docks in the world, the Royal Docks redevelopment is a significant regeneration success story in the heart of East London.  This new hub for business, culture and residential living includes the Botanist, a 15-storey building which features a number of innovative masonry support and fixing solutions from Leviat that have played their part in the delivery of the impressive brickwork design.

Designed by architectural firm Skidmore, Owings and Merrill / Hunters for developer Mount Anvil, the Botanist is one of eight buildings within the wider Royal Eden Docks masterplan and forms Phase 2 of the development.  This high-rise residence consists of a mix of private and affordable housing units, with sustainable features such as green roofs and a prime waterfront setting.

Architectural detailing

This development showcases distinctive and visually striking brickwork with a combination of brick types and bonding patterns.  The multi-storey residential building is clad in brickwork up to the 13^th floor with rainscreen cladding on the final two storeys.

Leviat supplied a package of masonry solutions for the project including Ancon Lintels, Ancon WP2 Windposts, Ancon Parapet Posts and Ancon MDC Masonry Support Systems. Installed by Swift Brickwork, this included a combination of post-fixed Ancon MDC/I Masonry Support between the windows at every floor level and single leaf lintels over the windows.

With steel balconies positioned across the elevations, the masonry support had to be carefully supported to avoid clashes with the balcony stubs.

Structural solutions

At the outset of the project, Leviat held meetings with Mount Anvil and their appointed balcony supplier to discuss the positioning of the balcony stubs to mitigate any potential conflicts.

The masonry support was specified at every floor level which keeps the loads to a minimum, simplifying installation at external corners and streamlining coordination with the balcony stubs. The plans featured a repetition of floors, so once a particular floor was agreed it was able to be replicated, often over multiple floors.

To address slab edge variations identified in site surveys, Leviat engineers reviewed and adjusted support angles that were outside of the loose shimming standard tolerance range. These refinements were made prior to manufacture, ensuring a precise fit on site and keeping the build programme on track.

Award-winning collaboration

Leviat’s collaboration across the design and construction process ensured technical challenges were overcome without compromising architectural intent. Winner of the 2024 Contractors’ Choice Award at the Brick Awards, the Botanist is a striking example of how engineered solutions can bring complex brickwork designs to life.