Engineering Ambition into Reality: Architectural Metalwork at London City Island

In commercial architecture, ambition often lives in the details. A cantilevered balcony that floats cleanly from a façade, a glass balustrade that disappears into the skyline, or a sleek steel canopy that defines an entrance. These elements catch the eye, and often define a building’s identity. But turning architectural metalwork from concept to reality is rarely straightforward.

At Shepherd Gilmour, we frequently support clients who are navigating the complex relationship between visual design intent and structural viability. The London City Island development in East London, delivered by Ballymore and Dearneside Fabrications, is a powerful example of how early specialist engineering input makes the difference between visual ambition and practical delivery.

Understanding Architectural Metalwork

Architectural metalwork bridges the gap between structure and aesthetics. It refers to visible steel or aluminium components: balconies, stairs, balustrades, canopies, feature screens, that serve structural or access functions but must also meet stringent visual and performance standards.

In high-profile commercial projects, these elements are rarely off-the-shelf. They are bespoke, exposed, and expected to integrate seamlessly with architectural language. Yet this is where challenges often emerge.

Common Client Pain Points

One of the most frequent issues we encounter is unclear design responsibility. Architects may specify the form and finish, while main structural engineers focus on the core frame. Who then is responsible for the connections, the fixings, or the structural integrity of the bolt-on balcony? Too often, it falls through the cracks until late in the programme when coordination becomes reactive and costly.

Clients also face issues such as:

• Non-compliance with regulations, particularly in relation to fall protection, deflection limits, or fire performance in the case of Higher Risk Buildings (HRBs) as defined in The Building Safety Act 2022.

• Installation tolerances, where brackets or fixings clash with other packages or fail to align with slab edges or cast in connectors.

• Misunderstood load cases, including abseil access (see WAHSA TGN07), wind uplift or poolside barriers requiring higher line loads.

• Over-engineering or under-engineering, due to lack of specialist input on efficient sizing and buildable detail.

These problems are not only technical; they impact project budgets, installation programmes and sometimes, design quality itself.

A Showcase in Precision: London City Island

London City Island sits at the intersection of regeneration, placemaking and striking modern architecture. Rising above the River Lea with towers clad in bold reds and blues, the development is stitched together with high-quality architectural metalwork, hundreds of bolt-on balconies, glass balustrades, canopy features and more.

As part of a wide ranging design & contracting team, our client, Dearneside Fabrications, delivered a comprehensive metalwork package across multiple phases of the project. Shepherd Gilmour’s role was to provide structural design and detailed calculations for each architectural element, ensuring symbiotic continuity with other third party solutions.

What made this project stand out was its scale and repetition: several kilometres of balustrading & hundreds of balconies across numerous blocks, each needing structural validation yet designed for aesthetic restraint. We approached it methodically, with three core principles.

1. Modular Templated Structural Design

Rather than treat each element in isolation, we developed modular architectural metalwork calculation templates adaptable to each building and balcony type. Standardised sections, repeated details, and consistent assumptions allowed efficient validation across the site, ensuring robustness without reinventing the wheel each time.

We used Eurocode 3 and BS 6180 for balustrade load design, including wind, pedestrian and abseil scenarios. In high-risk zones such as swimming pool perimeters or public terraces, we specified enhanced line loads of 3kN/m, using finite element analysis to validate bracket deflection and anchor performance.

2. Seamless Coordination

We worked closely with the Dearneside team and project stakeholders to embed our design in the construction sequence. That meant checking balcony bracket locations against concrete pour sequences, verifying thermal breaks were correctly specified, and ensuring tolerances could be absorbed without compromise.

No redesigns were required late in the process because our collaboration occurred early and transparently.

3. Architectural Integration

Just as important was respecting the architectural vision. Many of the fixings we designed were concealed behind cladding or recessed in slab build-ups. Our calculations allowed for slimmer plates, hidden fixings, and minimal visual intrusion, all without sacrificing safety.

For example, on the penthouse terraces and poolside areas, frameless glass balustrades required both elegance and enhanced structural performance. We designed stainless steel base shoes with integrated reinforcement, ensuring loads were transferred to the structure invisibly.

The Outcome

Thanks to this joined-up process, all metalwork elements were integrated efficiently and approved without issue. Dearneside Fabrications delivered a full suite of staircases, balustrades, balconies, canopy structures and abseil points to stunning effect.

Key benefits delivered included:

• Reduced design time through standardisation

• Full compliance with Eurocodes and British Standards

• Improved constructability with coordinated anchor details

• Clean detailing aligned to the architectural language

Most importantly, the result supported Ballymore’s vision: expressive buildings, uninterrupted lines, and refined façades where the engineering remains invisible, but deeply embedded.

Broader Lessons for Commercial Projects

London City Island is not unique in its ambitions. Many commercial schemes, whether they are residential towers, civic buildings or office HQs, aspire to similar architectural language. Yet across the UK, we see repeated challenges when architectural metalwork is added late or treated as secondary.

This project proves that early specialist input reduces risk, improves design quality, and protects programme integrity. The following lessons apply across commercial sectors:

• Engage metalwork structural engineers early, especially where a building is defined as a Higher Risk Building (HRB) in accordance with the Building Safety Act 2022.

• Define ownership clearly for calculations, coordination, and compliance.

• Integrate fixing strategies into façade and slab detailing.

• Validate high-risk elements such as balconies or pool surrounds against Part B and BS 6180.

• Balance aesthetics with structural clarity—sleek does not mean weak, but it does mean engineered precision.

  
  

Partnering with Shepherd Gilmour

As a design consultancy, Shepherd Gilmour brings both structural understanding and architectural empathy. We work with developers, architects, and fabricators to deliver structural solutions that are not just safe and compliant, but also elegant and efficient.

Whether you are planning a high-rise with feature balconies, a heritage refurbishment requiring sensitive steelwork, or a commercial development with bespoke stairs and screens, our team can support you from concept through to final sign-off.

London City Island stands as a clear reminder, engineering is not just about what you see. It is also about what you never have to worry about.

Get in Touch

If your next project includes balconies, balustrades, staircases, or bespoke architectural steelwork, get in touch. Our engineers can help you deliver them right, first time.

Visit our Contact Page, or email us at enquiries@shepherdgilmour.co.uk to discuss how we can support your scheme.