ALTRAD RMD Kwikform has helped deliver a bespoke two-storey garage for a luxury residential property in Dorset.
Designed to house multiple vehicles, the structure included a lift, thick reinforced concrete walls, and multiple irregular geometries. The project marked the first use of Multiframe, Altrad RMDK’s latest single-sided wall formwork system, on a live construction site in the UK.
‘The House of Canford Cliffs’ is a luxury private residence. At the heart of the development was a two-storey subterranean garage. Main contractor Amirez Developments appointed Quantum Civil Engineering to deliver the groundworks and structural build, with DLS Formwork supporting installation activities. Altrad RMDK was engaged as temporary works specialist, responsible for designing and supplying a fully engineered temporary works scheme.
The garage was constructed within a perimeter of contiguous piles, previously installed to form the permanent outer boundary. The customer required thick reinforced concrete walls to be cast directly against these piles in six sequential pours.
A key challenge was the vehicle lift shaft, positioned at a lower elevation and surrounded by angled raking props. The confined space restricted access and limited options for formwork installation. The irregular geometry and multiple levels further increased complexity, making standard systems unsuitable without adaptation.
The sequencing of six independent pours required precise logistical coordination. Each phase needed to tie into the next while navigating fixed constraints, including contiguous piles and limited access points.
Altrad RMDK’s team created a tailored solution using Maxima wall formwork, Alshor Plus shoring, and Multiframe single-sided formwork.
Multiframe was selected primarily for its ability to be lifted and repositioned quickly between pours. Supplied as a fixed unit with minimal floor fixings, Altrad RMDK said the system reduced installation time while providing the strength required to withstand lateral pressures during concrete pours.
Maxima panel formwork was used to form the face of the pours. Its ability to withstand higher concrete pressures, combined with fewer panel joints, delivered a ‘cleaner’ finish and faster assembly time. When used in tandem with Multiframe, the system prevented deflection and bulging during curing.
Alshor Plus was used to provide vertical support and address height constraints. Its lightweight, modular construction made it suited for use in areas with limited access and variable slab elevations.
Mark Lingley, regional sales manager at Altrad RMDK, said, “Being the first site to use Multiframe, we were able to demonstrate its capability for complex formwork. From the initial planning stages through to the final pour, our focus was helping the team deliver safely, efficiently, and to a high standard.”
Darren Stephenson, director at DLS Formwork, added, “We were dealing with awkward shapes and tight spaces, especially around the lift pit, so having the right support and solutions made a big difference.”
