More than a renovation

The original construction of the colossal coal-fired power plant began in 1929. Battersea Power Station would go on to supply electricity to Buckingham Palace, the Houses of Parliament, and one-fifth of the entire city of London at its peak in 1955.

Decades of decline followed, with the power station fully decommissioned in 1983. Redevelopment plans came and went. Although the building was upgraded to Grade II* listed status in 2007, its fate as a symbol of urban decay seemed certain.

But in 2012 an international consortium stepped in with a CHF 10 billion investment and a vision. The ambitions were high: renovate the entire 42-acre Battersea Power Station estate while preserving the architectural heritage of an art deco building measuring 27,200 square meters.

The new Battersea Power Station would serve less as a monument to the past and more as an engine for change: A place to live, work, thrive, and connect. For Sika, that meant starting at the bottom.

Ready for the unexpected

Groundworkers began excavating the substructure and waterproofing the sprawling concrete basement in 2016. The incorporation of existing structural elements – such as the grillages supporting the building’s steel girders – was key.

The team soon realized that the grillages presented a considerable waterproofing risk, prompting the need for creative thinking and extensive detailing. Innovation was also needed in the underground parking garage, where the use of more traditional membrane solutions could jeopardize the schedule and budget. Unforeseen waterproofing challenges were just part of the process.

Andy Edwards, National Watertight Concrete Manager, Sika UK, understands why the project’s independent waterproofing consultant turned to Sika. “For a project of this scale, you need a certain size company involved.

The client, main contractors, and subcontractors were very careful about the companies they chose to work with, based on their reputation.” Sika’s Technical Support team could also address issues quickly. “On a complex project that had challenges that were not obvious in the early stages, this was really important.”

As the more visible refurbishment of the building progressed, Sika kept the focus underground. The waterproofing extended down to the service tunnels that would carry power and essential services to different parts of the structure.

David Cliff, National Technical Manager for Waterproofing, Sika UK, got to appreciate parts of the iconic building few ever see. “Most of the waterproofing detail is below the surface and a lot like an iceberg. Other than the surface coatings in the car park, you will see no waterproofing at all.”

Sika ended up providing admixtures for a staggering 30,000 cubic meters of watertight concrete for the basement; another 375 tons of flowable repair mortar for the ground floor slabs; and 125 tons of repair mortar to seal the enormous columns and beams. “The project was really about all this incredibly comprehensive detail that is invisible to the average visitor.”

Rising to the occasion

Battersea Power Station reopened to the public in October 2022. The stunning renovation marks the halfway point of the site’s 25-year redevelopment plan. Sam Youdan, Director at Buro Happold, has led all of the heritage, refurbishment, and substructure work as part of the leadership team managing the 50 structural engineers on the project.

“We all needed to make sure the original building fabric was fit for purpose for the next phase of its life. For that, we needed to count on collaboration, alliances, and everyone being an expert.” As the awards and accolades for the refurbishment now roll in, the appreciation for Sika’s work underground endures.

The newly refurbished power station is helping to revitalize the whole area. The gleaming structure now features apartments, offices, shops, restaurants, and other hubs for meeting and entertainment. A glass elevator can take visitors up one of the four soaring chimneys for memorable views of London – and back down to enjoy what can once again be called a vibrant part of the city. The newly renovated power plant contributes to the enhancement of the entire area.

Watch the video

An iconic landmark nestled on the banks of the River Thames in London, Battersea Power Station has undergone a transformative journey, a symbol of urban regeneration and progress. Sika, a global leader in construction, has played a pivotal role in the foundations of the project.