Old Spitalfields Market gates

Architect - Jestico and Whiles

OSM gates are the 8 sets of gates around Old Spitalfields Market (OSM). A separate entity to Spitalfields Market even though they are joined. The design intent was from Jestico and Whiles architects and we were employed by Ballymore to develop the design, manufacture and install. Each set of the eight gates is a different size. Gates one to five weigh around three tons per set with the main gate leaves being around a ton or more. The fins on the front of gates one to five actually create a unique wave for each gate set. Those fins are also 75% of the weight of the gate cantilevering off the front so sizeable hinges had to be designed by our SE to cope. The original design was for those fins to be bolted on and made from stainless steel but the client who was the also the main contractor insisted they wanted to make sizeable savings and having them welded on from mild steel and then leaving the galvanised surface showing was the compromise.

Location - Old Spitalfields Market, London