Greenwich Design District, adjacent to the Millennium Dome in London, includes a canteen that winds through the one hectare site, serving 16 diverse buildings designed especially for creatives.

The purpose-built Design District is a central feature of Knight Dragon’s masterplan for Greenwich Peninsula. Eight architects were commissioned to independently design the buildings, and Whitby Wood provided the engineering services. For the food market, designed by Spanish architecture studio Selgas Cano, we worked on the structural concept, as well as the civil engineering, and the geotechnical engineering with collaborator Wood Thilsted.

The dual-level food market is composed of a series of steel truss frames forming a winding tunnel, clad in plastic polymer (ETFE) — creating a bubble-like effect. Up to 20 modular food stalls are accommodated. Entrances are at each end of the structure, with intermediate informal openings possible at various points.

In line with the general foundation strategy for the whole riverside site, the ground slab for the food market is founded on vibro piles. Even though the structure is relatively lightweight, the amount of settlement expected is too high for a groundbearing solution.

Building services and sustainability engineering for whole Design District project were provided by our associate practices Skelly & Couch and Scotch Partners respectively.