The Arc, 225 City Road

The Arc is a landmark mixed-use development on City Road in East London, offering a dynamic combination of retail space, contemporary office floors, 100 new homes, landscaped roof terraces, and a rejuvenated public realm. Architecturally, it draws inspiration from the early 20th-century towers of New York, featuring a distinctive red brick, tiered design that steps back in three stages. This form responds thoughtfully to the varied building heights in the area and the surrounding Conservation Areas.

A defining feature of The Arc is its cohesive façade design. Vertically articulated brick piers and horizontal concrete bands create a strong visual rhythm and architectural consistency throughout the structure. IG Masonry Support was appointed to supply a comprehensive package, including masonry support, brick slip systems, precision brick cutting, and all necessary fixings and accessories, for this award-winning scheme.

With a highly bespoke brickwork design, the project demanded intensive coordination, innovative design adaptations, and custom-manufactured solutions.

A key technical challenge involved designing systems that could seamlessly interface between the steel frame system (SFS) and the slab soffit from the 8th to 17th floors.

The use of 42-faced geo bricks—a masonry façade material combining the structural performance of concrete with the aesthetic of natural stone—in an irregular, non-standard bond presented a significant design challenge. Precise alignment was critical to ensure smooth integration with the surrounding traditional brickwork.

Several piers also required entirely bespoke units tailored to the geometry of the building, with limited anchoring points available. In contrast to typical one-course B.O.S.S. A1 (Brick on Soffit Systems) units, this project demanded two-course-high units, further increasing complexity in both layout and manufacture.

IG Masonry Support participated in multiple design coordination meetings to ensure the final systems could be safely and securely fixed to both the SFS and the slab soffit. The solution accounted for tolerances, installation feasibility, and structural performance across varying floor levels.

To ensure the B.O.S.S. A1 units incorporating geo bricks aligned seamlessly with the surrounding traditional brickwork, the architect provided brick set-out drawings for each façade area, covering every design scenario. This enabled the IG design team to achieve precise alignment. A 21mm narrower channel was also used to accommodate the unique brick dimensions.

To address the challenges around the piers, bespoke Welded Masonry Support (WMS) systems were engineered to follow the specific pier profiles, with one bracket per side used due to spatial constraints. Folded Angle masonry support systems were also designed to wrap around the lower front piers, ensuring structural continuity.

Highly bespoke Windposts were designed and supplied alongside Frame Cramps and Wall Ties. These were optimised to avoid clashes with other structural components, and all Wall Ties were manufactured to suit the non-standard brick sizes.

Sister company Keyfix also supplied over 3,000 metres of their Non-combustible Cavity Trays, including 864 Corners and 8,572 Weeps, accommodating seven floors of the build.

Close collaboration throughout numerous design meetings ensured exceptional coordination and quality. By managing all elements of the process in-house, IG Masonry Support streamlined project delivery and maintained full control—drawing on their extensive brickwork expertise to deliver a robust and refined outcome.