Modern methods of construction experience key to creating a new multi-use destination.

Future Olympia
London
At a glance

As main construction contractor, Laing O’Rourke is deploying its sector-leading knowledge and experience of off-site manufacturing and modern methods of construction (MMC) to transform this iconic west London venue into a multi-use destination.

Laing O’Rourke is delivering the £600M redevelopment of London’s Olympia Exhibition Centre, which includes the listed Grand Hall and National Hall.

The work to create Future Olympia includes the redevelopment of the existing listed exhibition halls – the Grand Hall and the National Hall – and the creation of new offices, a four-screen cinema, a 4,000-seat music venue, a 1,500-seat theatre, two new hotels, new retail outlets and public realm space. All of this will be delivered while allowing the exhibition areas to remain operational and revenue generating.

Early engagement and collaboration with the client, design team and other delivery partners is vital to the success of the project, and has enabled all parties to agree a DfMA-led design.

October marked a key milestone for the project, when the first products manufactured at our Centre of Excellence for Modern Construction (CEMC), arrived on site.

1
Greater programme certainty

Our design and construction process will provide the client with greater certainty of programme and cost. Utilising DfMA means that much of the building will be manufactured offsite, including its walls and floors and much of its mechanical and electrical services. This will be done in our two UK factories, and will help us shorten the programme and ensure the quality of what’s delivered.

Minimising disruption to the local community

Our team has also developed a programme strategy that maintains logistical access across the site’s complex footprint and limits disruption for neighbours. Our DfMA solution means that approximately 70% of the project is manufactured offsite and means a reduction of onsite working hours, providing minimal disruption and significantly reduced lorry movements.

Quote icon

We are proud to be part of this iconic redevelopment that harness the deep experience from across the Laing O’Rourke group. It has enabled us to simplify a project of scale and great complexity.

Early engagement has allowed us to optimise the design and delivery programme and engineer out risk. In addition, embracing Modern Methods of Construction (MMC) means we minimise disruption to the neighbouring community and the events hosted at Olympia London, which attract over 1.6million visitors a year."

Nick Featherstone Project Leader