The structural phase of the build is almost finished. The last slab is going on the link building, almost all the stairs are in, and the Tower is on track for topping out in November – a huge milestone for the project.
The structures of Buildings A, B and C are all finished. The structural framing system, which is what the stone will be fixed to, has gone into all three buildings, giving the site its first real sense of shape and scale. Waterproofing and roofing are under way on Buildings A and C, keeping the weather out as work moves indoors.
Stairs are another big step forward. All the stairs have now been installed in Buildings A, C and F, and they are currently going into the Tower (Building B). Being able to move easily between floors makes a real difference, both for the team on site and for anyone getting a feel for how the spaces connect.
Inside Building A, the bathroom pods have been delivered and lifted into place, with installation still to come. Risers have also been installed to let the building services come up through the buildings. That work starts next month and will continue through December, and it is a key part of making these buildings ready for everyday use.
With the concrete now complete on the frontage building connecting to St Clement’s, the new buildings are basically connected, and it’s easy to see how the Quad will feel as one place rather than separate buildings.
Next month, the team will begin standing the walls in Block A, and putting in the beginnings of the internal structure. This is an exciting moment, because for the first time we will be able to see the size of the internal rooms and how they’ll interact with the natural light once the walls are up.
The stone will start to go up on the exterior in January, and the Quad will begin to take on its final appearance. From now on, the rate of change will be less obvious from the street, as much of the work moves inside, but there’s still lots to be done before the next generation of Magdalen students can take up residence.