Art O'Tel Hoxton

Located near Old Steel Station, Art O’Tel Hoxton consists of a 92m high 22-story tower. According to the architect Squire & Partners, the inspiration for the cylindrical form and cladding references the mechanical components of early analogue computers. The cylindrical shape is horizontally separated into sections by aluminium shelves, with sections providing openings which look out on the local area. 

The building is used as a hotel, which also includes a gym and spa, art gallery, art cinema, creative commercial space, retail space, private members club. Signature artist Dean Stockton has his works in all bedrooms and public spaces within the hotel, curating everything from sculptures and murals to bespoke details. You can also spot two Banksy artworks on the hotel.

We were enlisted by main contractor Midgard to provide separate supports for both the masonry and the GRC (Glass Reinforced Concrete) banding systems. The project presented several key engineering challenges:

One of the primary challenges was ensuring precise alignment of all components to prevent bracket clashes, particularly critical around the building's curved sections where interference was more likely to occur. The cylindrical form demanded meticulous coordination of support elements to maintain structural integrity while preserving the architectural intent.

Our solution involved implementing shorter angles and closer bracket spacing to allow the support system to follow the building's curves while maintaining the correct radius. This approach required careful calculation and coordination to ensure that the facade system could accommodate the building's distinctive geometry without compromising performance.

The coordination between masonry and GRC banding support systems required exceptional precision in both design and installation phases. Each support element needed to be positioned to accommodate the building's complex geometry while providing adequate structural support for the facade components.