Ilona Rose House – a shining example of digital construction

Congratulations to our project team at Ilona Rose House who achieved practical completion last month.

Two years from the start of construction, this project has transformed the former site of the famous Foyles bookshop on Charing Cross Road, in the heart of Soho.

Spread over 13 floors, including four below ground, with its bespoke technical spaces and studios, this purpose-built development will cater for major players in the film and creative industries.

It's striking cladding, patinated brass on the lower floors and rose-patterned pale pink higher up and cantilevered-roof entryway make it stand out from the crowd of commercial buildings in London.

The four-storey basement provided a technical challenge for the team, not only because of its depth, but also because it combines a steel frame with concrete slabs, calling for careful coordination between steel and concrete subcontractors in a confined space. These engineering challenges were an opportunity to leverage our digital construction expertise.

Our team drove the adoption of digital technology, showcasing techniques and processes to minimise risks. They worked in close collaboration with our client Soho Estates to optimise the benefits to the project, as well as the Architect and design teams, who were new to aspects of this technology.

With the assistance of McAlpine Design Group, we were able to develop a Revit model which was then used by the consultant and trade teams, managed by Digital Construction Manager, Grant Bezuidenhout, to coordinate the design throughout RIBA stage 5.

Grant was able to take the information provided in the model and conduct detailed clash detection and coordination with the permanent works, reducing our risk.