Temporary works specialist, Altrad RMD Kwikform (Altrad RMDK), played a key role in the delivery of 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 that demanded advanced temporary works support. This project marked the first use of Multiframe, Altrad RMD Kwikform’s latest single-sided wall formwork system, on a live construction site in the UK.

Project Overview

‘The House of Canford Cliffs’ is a luxury private residence located in Dorset. At the heart of the development was a two-storey subterranean garage designed to accommodate the owners’ collection of vehicles. 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 the temporary works specialist, responsible for designing and supplying a fully engineered temporary works scheme to support the structure’s complex requirements.

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. Each pour demanded precision alignment and continuity, requiring coordinated planning and installation to ensure finish quality, safety, and stability.

The Challenge

One of the project’s key challenges 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 structure’s irregular geometry and multiple levels further increased design complexity, making standard systems unsuitable without bespoke adaptation.

In addition, the sequencing of six independent pours required precise logistical coordination. Each phase needed to tie into the next while navigating fixed site constraints, including contiguous piles and limited access points. Careful planning was essential to maintain safety, structural integrity, and quality finish.

The Solution

In response, Altrad RMDK’s engineering team created a tailored temporary works solution using Maxima wall formwork, Alshor Plus shoring, and Multiframe single-sided formwork, a combination chosen for its load performance, modularity and adaptability in confined spaces.

Multiframe, used for the first time in the UK, was selected primarily for its ability to be lifted and repositioned quickly between pours. Supplied as a fixed unit with minimal floor fixings, the system significantly reduced installation time on site while still providing the strength required to withstand lateral pressures during concrete pours. This made it particularly effective around the lift pit and other constrained areas.

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, delivering consistent results over the six pours. When used in tandem with Multiframe, the system prevented deflection and bulging during curing, mitigating the risk of blowouts or poor alignment.

Alshor Plus was used to provide vertical support and address site-specific height constraints. Its lightweight, modular construction made it ideal for use in areas with limited access and variable slab elevations.

Mark Lingley, Regional Sales Manager at Altrad RMD Kwikform, said: “The House of Canford Cliffs project was a great showcase of our engineering expertise and product innovation. 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.”

Matt Biles, Construction Manager at Quantum Civils Engineering added: “This was a technically challenging job, and we were able to work closely with the team at Altrad RMD Kwikform to ensure a solution that allowed a smooth construction process for the garage. The introduction of Multiframe allowed us to safely manage the significant concrete pressures associated with the thick wall pours, while the collaborative approach ensured the temporary works solution integrated seamlessly with the permanent design requirements.”

Darren Stephenson, Director at DLS Formwork said: “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. RMD were always on hand to make sure we had what we needed—from drawings to equipment, the team gave us confidence at every stage.”

For more on Altrad RMD Kwikform, please visit www.rmdkwikform.com.