#ronanpoint

[the-hidden-edifice]

Failed Dream of Industrialised Construction

Ronan Point tower located in East London, a 22 story building that was left partially destroyed by a gas leak explosion on the 18th floor on May 16, 1968. 

Due to increased housing demand after World War II, there was a wave of new residential towers being erected across England. The Larsen-Nielsen prefabrication system enabled exactly this, however this Danish system was originally intended for a maximum of six storeys and not modified when used in Britain. 

Test results showed that the joints of the pre-cast components lacked the sufficient structural continuity and redundancy required. Once one wall panel blew out the above panels were left unsupported and fell, crashing down and causing domino style progressive collapse. 

Hundreds of similar towers were gradually phased out and demolished due to expensive remedial reinforcement costs.