The Bandeja summer 2024 issue

padium
padium
had been constructed but, with a
tenant earmarked for the level below
ground, there were issues that would
have complicated the structure and
layout of Padium. And so Canary
Wharf proposed the Bank Street site.
This required an even more complex
build but Houman welcomed the idea
with open arms - and a vision for an
even more premium club.
For Padel Tech, the shift in location
meant ripping up the designs it had
been working on for Wood Wharf
and addressing the challenge of
how to build on top of that scaffold.
Fortunately, they had the expertise
of Dr Mark Richards, director of NESTA
Consulting Engineers, who advises
Canary Wharf on structural issues.
“That scaffolding was not intended
to have a building on top of it,”
explained Mark. “It was designed to
take loadings from an area being
used for various sports but not a
facility like Padium. I had to do a
feasibility study to look at whether
the scaffold could take the facility.”
Working with Padel Tech, Okatent,
Canary Wharf-approved specialist
contractors ProPlant which built
the scaffold and ConCast, which
constructed the concrete slab on
which Padium sits, Mark helped guide
a bespoke design by the specialist
contractors which safely transfers
building and wind loads.
Under the arches
But the challenges didn’t end there.
In a different location Padium’s roof
would have been one arched canopy,
spanning from one edge of the plot
to the other. However, this would have
put too much force onto the edges of
the scaffolding.
The solution was to install four
specialist trusses running from
the front to the back of the site
– which is one city block in size –
with three arches spanning the
smaller distances between trusses.
Positioning of the arches allowed
the courts to be located perfectly
between them.
“We needed to increase the number
of point loads to spread the load
across the surface,” said Padel Tech
design and estimating manager Andy
Ponton. “The trusses are bolted to the
scaffolding and have built-in points
to which the canopy is anchored. The
concrete slab was initially cast up to
the trusses and then the trusses were
infilled afterwards.”
Some parts of the scaffolding had to
be beefed up too to resist wind uplift
forces from the roof structure, as Mark
explained: “The scaffolding had to be
strengthened along the truss lines.
We married that up with the forces
coming from the roof.”
It wasn’t just the final loadings that
had to be considered. With input
from Mark, Padel Tech planned every
move of the construction sequence
carefully so that the scaffolding was
not overloaded, from the weight
and position of construction
equipment used to deliveries of
steel and materials and where they
would be placed.
Delivering the project safely and
with minimum impacts on Canary
Wharf’s tenants and the environment
were key, said Paul: “Their tenants
pay a premium to know they are in
a safe environment. That’s part of
the USP of being in Canary Wharf.
We had weekly meetings with
multiple parties at Canary Wharf.”
Work to install the trusses and
concrete slab began in October 2022,
with Padel Tech starting on site in
February 2023. Towards the end of the
build Padel Tech liaised with Padium’s
fit-out contractor S&G Shopfitters
which constructed the mezzanine
level within the club from where
players can view the facility’s seven
internal courts.
Lux
For engineers the ‘wow’ factor for
Padium lies hidden, but for players it
begins as soon as they enter
the building. Walking through the
front door, with the showcase
centre court ahead, it feels like
you might be about to play in a
major tournament.
With an internal roof height of over
10m and details including acoustic
dampening, elegant, curved lighting
poles, pro shop and changing
rooms complete with matt-black
toilets and Dyson hair dryers,
Houman has worked to create his
perfect club and the attention to
detail from Padium’s design team
is evident everywhere.
Since opening in September,
Houman has added heating and air
conditioning to the mezzanine floor
which overlooks the indoor courts,
and is now looking to heat the whole
club. Players can also look forward
to a bar on the mezzanine and
perhaps a second outdoor court.
Oasis
For Canary Wharf’s tenants the
timing of Padium couldn’t have
been better. It opened as big
corporates were searching for
ways to lure employees back to
the office from home working. And
its location is about to get even
better. Canary Wharf has started
work on its ambitious Middle Dock
project to create an outdoor
oasis centred around the dock,
with trees and gardens, floating
boardwalks, water sports and
spaces for arts and culture right
on Padium’s doorstep.
Meanwhile, Houman is plotting the
next location for a second club.
Padium Factfile
Courts: 7 indoors, one outdoors
Head Coach: Jorge Martinez
Booking: via Playtomic app
(pay-and-play or membership)
Opening hours: 6am-10pm
Cost: From £80/hr/court
Address: 10 Bank Street, E14 4DE
The complexity of this build, alongside
challenges linked to the disruption of
material deliveries and rising costs
has not deterred him in his mission to
make Padium the biggest and most
premium brand in the UK.
“I know that challenges are coming
and I know that I will tackle them
somehow,” he said. “With five years’
experience of building a brand and
a business with Urban Greens I had a
lot of things in my toolbox I could
reach for.”
Padel Tech’s Paul echoed the
sentiment. His team’s experience on
major construction projects means
that he too relishes the intricacies
and demands of a complex build.
“We thrive on difficult projects,” he
said. “We are really looking forward
to the next one.” •
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