Piling is well underway at the Keble College Acland Site, in preparation for the basement excavation of the 250-bed student accommodation building in Oxford. 700 temporary and permanent secant piles will be installed over the coming weeks around the perimeter of the site and at the base of the two tower cranes. Two piling rigs are working simultaneously, creating a dramatic silhouette on the skyline of the site on the edge of the North Oxford Victorian Suburb.

Once male and female piles are installed in the south west corner of the site, excavation will begin, working from south to north across the site, approaching the retained portion of the Grade-II-listed Acland House. While piling continues, the temporary works to support Acland House will begin. The house is supported by a grid of mini piles installed with a thick concrete slab at the ground floor to support the building while excavations continue below.