West End, London W1D
PHASE 1
Complete internal re-modelling, refurbishment and conversion of existing six storey college building to create residential flats at first floor level and above whilst the ground floor shop remained in operation.
Complete removal of existing masonry lift and reinforced concrete staircase core as well as the roof structure over and the introduction of new steel framed lift shaft and staircase throughout all the floors of the existing building, creating a new core area. The new lift has a reinforced concrete lift pit structure that required the partial underpinning of the adjoining party wall as well as the surrounding walls to accommodate the construction of the new lift pit. New modern steel staircase structure with glass balustrades and safety screens.
The works also included remodelling of the main internal load bearing masonry walls and the introduction of steel beams and box frames. Due to the removal of a number of load bearing walls the existing timber roof trusses had to be supported on a grillage of new steel beams.
The existing floor construction varies at different levels from concrete filler joist, reinforced concrete hollow pot and timber joisted. Works required to cut new staircase opening through reinforced concrete hollow pot slabs as well as strengthening and repairing of large area of timber joisted floors.
GIA: circa 810m²/ 8,700ft²
PHASE 2
Removal of existing mezzanine, ground floor and basement slabs, including the removal of the existing basement to first floor level primary internal support columns. The existing basement and ground floor level were lowered by the introduction of underpinning to the existing basement external walls. New foundations were introduced to the new internal structure and the installation of steel beams and concrete metal deck ground floor slab. A lightweight steelwork part mezzanine floor to maximize the use of the high ground floor ceiling heights.
GIA: circa 510m²/ 5,500ft²
Bloomsbury, London WC1
Major refurbishment of existing five storey Grade I listed house constructed circa 1780, and four storey rear mews house.
The existing main load bearing masonry spine wall of the main building has settled over the years and required strengthening by introducing a series of mass concrete underpins below the existing undersized brick corbelled foundations. Strengthening, levelling and tying of existing timber floor structures, including plate bonding strengthening of existing main oak timber binder beams throughout.
Construction of new two storey link block, connecting existing main front house to the rear mews house. The link block was constructed with a steel framed first floor structure and structural toughened and laminated, doubled glazed structural two storey external wall and roof structures.
General refurbishment and structural alterations to existing rear mews house. Existing timber floors strengthened as required and strapped and tied to existing beams and perimeter load bearing masonry walls.
GIA: circa 1,100m²/ 12,000ft²
Mayfair, London W1K
The project is a refurbishment of an existing Grade II listed six storey house, including a new rear basement and ground floor rear extension in Mayfair, adjacent to Park Lane and Hyde Park.
The works consisted of the introduction of a new basement level by underpinning the adjacent party walls to the rear of the property with mass concrete underpins. The basement was then formed with a new reinforced concrete box structure. The new basement level contains a new swimming pool with a mechanically raising floor to create additional usable floor space and the mechanical plant at the rear servicing the entire house.
The rear extension at ground floor level contained a gym and incorporated walk on glass structural floors, a mechanically operated folding staircase in structural steelwork linking the new swimming pool raised floor and the new ground floor gym addition and steel framed studio extension.
Strengthening and structural repair of existing load bearing masonry and concrete filler steel joist floor slabs throughout were required to extend the design life of the existing historic fabric of the building. The introduction of a new hydraulic glass lift comprising of a new steel framed lift shaft and reinforced concrete lift pit within existing building footprint was also required, including localised underpinning of the adjoining party walls to accommodate these works. In order to install the hydraulic ram for the lift, a 8m deep steel lined borehole needed to be installed.
GIA: circa 810m²/ 8,700ft²
Crystal Palace SE19
Refurbishment, remodelling and rear extension of 2 Victorian villas, creating 14No. luxury apartments.
Works including the remodelling and strengthening of the existing Victorian structures and the introduction of a new modern lightweight steel and timber framed rear extension
Dalston, N16
Façade retention and conversion 0f existing light industrial building in Dalston. Works including the introduction of a reinforced concrete framed superstructure within the exiting perimeter load bearing external masonry façade to create 8 apartments.
The top floor of the building was constructed in a lightweight steel frame and timber infill to form a lofted open planned penthouse
The internal apartments maintained the aesthetics of the exposed concrete superstructure
Bloomsbury, London WC1N
A late 1960s Grade II listed mixed use residential and retail block located in Bloomsbury, nearby Russell Square Underground station. The building consists of two linked reinforced concrete A-framed blocks of 560 flats, incorporating rows of shops at raised ground level over basement car parking on two levels, with attached workshops, ramps and steps.
We have worked on several aspects of the building structure, including reinforced concrete repairs to extend the structural lifespan of the building, internal modifications to retail units and feasibility studies for maximising the available basement volume.
Site footprint: circa 21,010m²/ 2.1ha
Finsbury Park, London N4
Partial facade retention of existing three storey load bearing masonry building, adjacent to Finsbury Park train station, to form a new five storey mixed residential and retail building, including a part basement and four storey rear and side extensions.
The existing three storey front and side load bearing masonry façades, as well as the existing first floor filler joist concrete floor slab, were retained as part of the works and the proposed new steel framed super structure had to be built with these existing structures and the associated temporary works that were required.
A combination of reinforced concrete piled ground beams and piled raft foundations were installed to support the new structural steel framed internal super structure that was required due to building regulation’s disproportionate collapse requirements.
Mini piling rig was used due to tight access on site. Lightweight upper timber infill floors and partitions were specified to minimise proposed piled foundations required. Consultation with London Underground and Thames Water due to proximity to existing assets and tunnels.
GIA: circa 650m²/ 7,000ft²
Whitechapel, London E1
Façade retention of existing three storey load bearing masonry light industrial building to form a new six storey student accommodation building.
Reinforced concrete piled ground beam foundations were required to support the new structural steel framed internal super structure required due to disproportionate collapse requirements. Mini piling rig was required due to tight access site.
Due to the additional differing floor levels, all window openings in the existing load bearing masonry walls needed to be altered. The existing masonry wall was strengthened and tied back to the new steel framed superstructure.
Lightweight timber infill floors and partitions were installed to minimise proposed piled foundations required.
There was no direct access to the public road from the site, therefore all materials, including structural steelwork for the internal steel frame needed to be carried through a small access hole broken through the side of the existing building.
GIA: circa 1,150m²/ 12,500ft²
City of Westminster, London W2
Originally built as a public house occupying the lower ground and ground floors of this seven storey building with hotel accommodation on the upper 1st - 5th floors with a large courtyard at the rear.
The existing structure comprised of load bearing masonry front, rear and party walls with steel girders spanning over 9.5m between party walls with timber infill and concrete filler joist floors.
The proposed works comprised of the removal of the first floor structure and the introduction of a new upper ground as well as a first floor at a raised level in structural steelwork and timber infill floors. Also the internal space was completely remodelled so it required the introduction of a new staircase and lift shaft in structural steelwork within the existing footprint of the original building.
In addition, we have designed and detailed a new 8-storey rear extension in structural steelwork with infill timber floors with a provision for an additional storey. Also, the rear load bearing masonry wall of the original building had to be removed in order to accommodate new proposed hotel layout where a new structural steelwork goal post frame had been introduced to maintain structural stability of the existing building.
The proposed new rear extension and the new goal post frame that replaced the rear masonry wall of the property are supported on a 1.0m thick heavily reinforced raft required to support the very high proposed loading.
The ground and part upper ground floor of the property is currently occupied by Costa Coffee whilst the remaining part of the building is occupied by London Kings Hotel.
GIA: circa 1,600m²/ 17,000ft²
Bloomsburry, London WC1A
Originally a six storey building in framed structural steelwork, hollow pot reinforced concrete floors with stone cladding that had a mezzanine floor introduced in the past in order to enable the ground and mezzanine floor to be used by Starbucks Coffee.
The 1st - 4th floor was previously used as offices with an accessed terrace at roof level.
We have been involved with the feasibility, planning and tender documentation of proposed major remodelling and conversion of the office space into residential units together with an additional two storey roof addition in structural steelwork.
The works required the removal of the existing clay hollow pot concrete ribbed roof slab as well as the lift motor housing at roof level and the construction of a new lightweight steel framed two storey mansard roof extension. Proposed timber infill to steel framed superstructure to minimise additional loading to existing building and foundations. Partial strengthening required to the existing concrete encased steel columns at the lower floor levels to accommodate additional roof extension load.
A new steel framed lift shaft and staircase was proposed throughout.
GIA: circa 1,100m²/ 11,800ft²
Hoxton, London N1
Major refurbishment, remodelling and strengthening works of an existing six storey office building.
The works required the introduction of a new steel framed lift shaft and staircase through the existing building from basement up to roof level. The lift pit was constructed in reinforced concrete and required the partial underpinning of party wall to accommodate the excavation and construction of the new lift pit.
An existing staircase serving all the floors was demolished and infilled with usable floor space. The existing timber floors were all strengthened as required due to increased proposed loadings and also areas of poor existing floor structure were extensively repaired. All floors were installed with new galvanised steel restraint straps to tie all the joists, internal beams and perimeter load bearing masonry walls together as required by building regulations.
Strengthening of existing concrete filler joist roof structure to accommodate roof plant loading with retro-fitted carbon fibre plate reinforcing.
Introduction of new steel framed ground floor entrance area and platform lift to accommodate varied floor areas between existing pavement and ground floor level.
GIA: circa 1,850m²/ 20,000ft²