02:09
Transforming the Stadium
Find out how we have transformed the former Olympic Stadium for the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games into a multi-use venue for football, athletics, concerts and much more.
We transformed the iconic former London Olympic stadium into a multi-purpose sporting venue
Using complex engineering techniques, we reinvigorated the stadium after the London 2012 Olympic Games, transforming it into a modern venue for a range of sports events.
The stadium is now also the home of West Ham United FC. To ensure it was suitable for football fans, we expanded the original roof to cover some 60,000 supporters. We installed the world’s heaviest cantilever roof, which is twice the size of the original, as well as incorporating the iconic lighting towers into the new structure.
We used sustainable construction methods to transform a facility that was only ever designed as a temporary stadium, reusing over 6,000m of cable, 3,800 lights and 1,000 mechanical and electrical components. We also included 19,000 tonnes of recycled demolition material into the project. The stadium has since received a BREEAM 'Excellent' certificate.
At its peak, the project employed over 1700 people on site with a total of 3.4 million man hours worked. Balfour Beatty Ground Engineering also installed 350 mini piles to support the increased load on the new foundations, saving of over £500,000 and 400 tonnes of carbon dioxide.
The project boosted the local economy through the use of businesses nearby. We created 50 local apprenticeships in a range of trades as well as 10 work placements and over 300 training opportunities.
45,000m2
size of new cantilever roof
84m
the stadium’s roof at its deepest point
6,000m
of cables recycled
14
lighting towers
01:40
Balfour Beatty brings out the Hammers
Michael Ghebreselassie explains how Balfour Beatty ensured the former London Olympic Stadium is ready for its new role as the home of West Ham United FC. We created the world’s largest cantilever roof to cover 60,000 football fans, adding 14 lighting towers to light up the action. With subtitles. #expertengineers
01:38
Creating a lasting Olympic legacy
The former London Olympic Stadium is now the new home of West Ham United FC. Balfour Beatty transformed this iconic venue into a multi-purpose sporting arena, adapting the overall layout, adding hospitality services and creating the world’s largest cantilever roof to cover some 60,000 supporters. With subtitles. #expertengineers