Case study · Typology confirmation · Woking
Confirming what's really behind the façade of two residential towers.
McKay Turner Consulting was appointed to confirm the as-built external wall construction of The Marches, a landmark build-to-rent development opposite Woking station, using targeted intrusive investigations from inside occupied apartments and a detailed reconciliation against the original design information.
The building
A landmark mixed-use scheme in the heart of Woking
Completed in 2022, The Marches provides 429 build-to-rent homes across two prominent residential towers, part of a wider town-centre regeneration that also includes a hotel tower and retail. It sits directly opposite Woking station, within easy reach of Central London.
The towers combine unitised glazed balcony screens with natural stone-faced precast concrete panels, backed by light-gauge steel framing, insulation, cavity barriers and fire-stopping that are hidden from view once the building is complete.
The brief
Prove the as-built construction, location by location
The client needed an independent, evidence-based record of how the external walls had actually been built: the make-up and materials of each wall type, confirmed on site and reconciled against the architect's and specialist subcontractors' drawings.
With residents in occupation, the investigations had to reach the cavity behind the façade from inside the apartments, causing as little disruption as possible and leaving every home ready to be made good.
How we did it
Small openings, high-value evidence
We began with a site inspection and access review to choose investigation locations that would tell the client the most: corners and mid-spans, stone-clad and glazed elevations, low and high floors in both towers. Access to the cavity was made through small, carefully cut openings in the internal lining and via removable blind boxes, keeping disruption to residents to a minimum.
Each location was photographed, measured and plotted on the floor plans, then cross-referenced against more than 6,000 pages of design and O&M information. We also worked alongside the project's original façade engineering consultant, incorporating their commentary into an updated report so the client had one consolidated record.
Access review
Site inspection to plan investigation locations across both towers.
Intrusive investigations
Façade cavity accessed from inside occupied apartments in both towers.
Reconciliation
As-built findings checked against architect and subcontractor drawings.
Collaboration & reporting
Original façade engineer's input incorporated into an updated, consolidated report.
The outcome
A clear, evidenced record of the as-built façade.
The client received a location-by-location record of the wall construction across both towers, with annotated photographs, floor-plan references and a side-by-side comparison with the design drawings, together with recommendations to guide the next stage of investigation.
The report was updated as the project progressed to include the original façade engineer's commentary, giving every party a single, shared evidence base.
Work with us
Need to know what's behind your façade?
McKay Turner Consulting carries out intrusive investigations, construction typology confirmation, façade condition assessments, PAS 9980 external wall appraisals and EWS1 assessments for buildings of every height.