During the construction, it was hoped that the presence of the building would create a much softer profile for the adjacent shell office near the site which was overpowering, creating a view from the other side of the river Thames. The construction of Southbank was very detailed considering the technology available at the time, a unique type of craftsmanship of works involved during the construction.
Situated in the heart of London, the site challenged the team to work around and plan to follow with their construction schedule.
‘South Bank Developments’, The Builder 13 July (1962).
This text provides an extended amount of information and details explaining the technical issues and challenging problems this site endured due to the water level, existing underground systems and infrastructures. Higgs and Hill – the main contractor responsible for excavating down to pile cap level. Due to the amount of manpower working in this infrastructure and the technology at the time the site had many difficulties and delays throughout all process of construction.
‘’Works on the extension of the Royal Festival Hall on the riverside frontage and Belvedere-road frontage started in summer 1962. Those on the new buildings did not commence until summer 1963.’’(The Builder,1962)
‘South Bank Final Stage’, The Builder 28 June (1963)
The text contains and provides details of the final stages of the construction and the difficulties faced to complete the project under the budget. Facing delays with several issues after many extension for the completion of the project, the journal reveals the total cost of the construction, which comes to about £7million due to various extension throughout the construction.