“The MultiSteel doors have been faultless. Zero issues since installation, and residents feel safer.”— Southwark Council

Lilac House
Meeting House Lane,
London Borough
of Southwark

Overview:

Zero maintenance callouts since install.
Zero security breaches across all access points.
Zero replacement requirements since installation.
Zero visible deterioration or coating failure.
Simplified access control for building management
Enhanced resident security with professional appearance

Long-term durability proven at Lilac House

Completed in 2020, the Lilac House development in Peckham delivered 29 new-build council homes and a new community centre for the London Borough of Southwark. Designed to meet growing local housing demand, the project required access control solutions that could withstand the pressures of daily use in social housing. MultiSteel delivered a bespoke steel door system that has performed flawlessly ever since.

The strategic challenge

In many new-build housing developments, aluminium door systems are often specified for their lower upfront cost. But over time, they frequently fail to meet the demands of high-traffic communal areas. Aluminium frames are more susceptible to bending or forced entry, while the absence of proper protective coatings leads to rapid corrosion. Exposed locks and weak components are easily tampered with, and poor installation can result in sagging frames, misalignment and premature failure.

Mechanical locks present further issues in these settings, regularly jamming or breaking under constant use. Inward-opening doors, often selected due to space constraints, are not only easier to breach but can also restrict emergency egress—posing a significant fire safety risk.

The Lilac House development in Peckham, delivered for the London Borough of Southwark, required a long-term solution that could withstand daily use, deter vandalism, and reduce maintenance demands in both communal entrances and bin store areas.

The MultiSteel approach

Steel is the superior choice when security, strength and longevity are critical—making it the ideal material for high-use, high-risk environments like social housing.

MultiSteel engineered a tailored, high-specification solution for Lilac House—manufactured entirely in-house at our North London facility and installed by our expert installations teams. Designed to meet the long-term demands of communal access, each entry and bin store door combined robust construction with precision detailing to ensure lasting performance and minimal maintenance.

We use Jansen Swedish steel for all frames and doors—renowned for its exceptional strength, architectural refinement and durability under constant use. To maximise lifespan, every component is zinc-coated, protecting against corrosion and environmental wear.

For bin store access points, we incorporated custom louvre-panel steel doors. These allow essential airflow while maintaining structural integrity and are carefully designed to resist forced entry—minimising misuse and ensuring long-term functionality in a compact, high-risk environment.

All doors are configured to open outwards as standard, maximising resistance to forced entry and ensuring safe egress in line with fire safety regulations.

Magnetic locking systems were fully concealed and centrally controlled via secure fob access, eliminating the vulnerabilities of exposed mechanical locks. We also integrated internal beading and fixings to remove tamper points and reinforce structural integrity. For the bin store entrances, we fabricated custom louvre-panel steel doors, balancing airflow with security in a compact, high-risk environment.

These features combined to deliver a resilient, low-maintenance access solution—robust enough to meet the everyday challenges of high-footfall social housing without compromise.

Reported security breaches across all access points