Integral Cradles has successfully completed the external equipment installation at New Zealand House, delivering a sophisticated multi-level façade access solution for this historically significant Grade II listed building in partnership with tier one client Multiplex.
Located at 80 Haymarket, the 18-storey New Zealand House was designed by RMJM and completed in 1963, before being given Grade II listing status in 1995. The building comprises four podium levels and a 14-storey main tower and has served as the New Zealand High Commission’s main base in the UK since opening. The building has a unique heritage; it was London’s first air-conditioned building and the first to feature continuous glazing on all elevations.
After receiving an early works order in early 2024 to allow design to commence, Integral Cradles was subsequently awarded the full package of works to complete the installation of significant, large-scale complex access equipment at this prestigious location owned by the Crown Estate.
Working on a Grade II listed building presented the team with some unique structural challenges. The existing building’s loading allowance required track supports to be positioned at 8.3-metre spans, demanding careful engineering to ensure the façade access systems could be installed without compromising the building’s structural integrity or historic fabric.
Integral Cradles’ design team developed bespoke solutions that respected the building’s heritage status whilst delivering comprehensive façade access.
The installation at New Zealand House comprises an extensive suite of access equipment designed to provide complete façade coverage across the building’s 18 storeys:
- A 40-metre abseil monorail providing flexible access to upper levels
- Level 04 BMU: A traversing BMU operating on 210 metres of track, featuring dual 750kg auxiliary winch with both lifting and abseil capacity
- Level 19 BMU: A traversing BMU operating on 191 metres of track, featuring dual 1,500kg auxiliary winch with both lifting and abseil capacity
The combined 401 metres of BMU track installed across the two levels represents one of the most extensive traversing systems Integral Cradles has delivered on a single building, demonstrating the scale and complexity of this prestigious project.
Discussing the project’s progress, Kevin Walton, Managing Director at Integral Cradles, said:
“Completing the external equipment installation at New Zealand House is a significant achievement for our team. Working on a Grade II listed building of such historical importance required exceptional attention to detail and respect for the building’s heritage. We’re proud to have delivered the external part of the installation that meets both the conservation requirements and the practical needs of modern building maintenance. We look forward to completing the internal part of the installation, with atrium monorails and gantry to be completed in 2026.”
Following the installation, GIND UK, Integral Cradles’ maintenance partner, will provide ongoing maintenance services for the comprehensive façade access systems, ensuring the equipment continues to operate safely and efficiently throughout the building’s lifecycle.
The successful delivery at New Zealand House further strengthens Integral Cradles’ longstanding partnership with Multiplex. Over the past decade, Integral Cradles has delivered numerous complex installations for Multiplex across high-profile London developments, with each project reinforcing the trust and collaborative working relationship between the two companies.
Kevin added:
“This project demonstrates our capability to deliver large-scale, complex access solutions for heritage buildings whilst maintaining the highest standards of technical excellence. We’re delighted to have completed this landmark project and look forward to continuing our collaboration with Multiplex on future developments.”
