The Client wanted to create more than 100 additional rooms in this development. We were involved from initial briefing and concept design stage through to the final stages of construction to achieve this. The development included underpinning a six storey reinforced concrete frame which required us to understand the existing structure from concept. We provided a phasing and construction sequence which allowed the hotel to maintain full operations throughout the build.
A £2.3M redevelopment of Ealing’s award winning youth centre using a lightweight steel structure to minimise the foundation impact on the sensitive boundary conditions.
On this project we worked with the team to produce a 500 Seat stand for the first team’s training pitch at Tottenham Hotspur FC’s new facility. The sensitivity of the site called for a light touch solution which could be as easily removed as installed and enhanced rather than detracted from the rural environment. The Architecture let to a tapered structure which is a truncated ellipsoid in form. Our inspiration for the structure cam e from the wings of the Supermarine Spitfire whose elliptical wings were formed using a framework of tapering ribs which were sheathed in a thin skin to form the complex surface. Our adaptation of this form allowed us to create the roof of the structure using LVL ribs cut to various profiles which was then skinned with thin ply strips which could be warped in two directions to for the complex surface. To create a light touch build the structure is conceived to be prefabricated off site and erected in sections sitting on screw piles which can be as easily removed as installed.
We are currently working on the scheme for a new sports and entertainment complex at the Harrodian School in Barnes. The school is on the site of the Former Harrods Sports Club and the original premises have been extended and converted for educational purposes. The scheme involves sinking the building into the ground to allow the facility to present a minimal elevation to the surrounding properties as the site is situated on Metropolitan open land. We have completed an extensive desk top study in conjunction with our Geotechnical consultant to attempt understand the ground conditions as the site is close to a former reservoir and the banks of the Thames. The project is currently in planning and we hope to begin work on the final scheme soon.
This major £4.0 million refurbishment of an existing large terraced hotel will include additional basement and roof levels and redevelopment of existing internal steel/masonry structure. This project requires some integrated temporary works and clear understanding of the building process. It is proposed the basement is formed using piles to pick up the existing structure prior to a traditional underpinning sequence forming the basement box.
We worked closely with the Architect to produce a series of structural options for this new village community centre. In various workshops, we investigated and presented different materials, structural systems and arrangements to go forward to the feasibility study.
A shortlisted scheme for the erection of a 60m high memorial to Reginald Mitchell’s legendary Spitfire. Competition held by the Daily Telegraph.
The Paxton Building situated in the crotch of the existing Lilly White House, houses ticketing, retail and offices spaces. The building is founded on a suspended piled concrete slab and comprises four storeys over ground. The route for a hybrid concrete/steel construction was laid early on by the contractor to allow for programme and site logistics within the overall stadium project. Two concrete cores with shear walls enclose the footprint on the north and south boundary providing overall lateral stability. A quick to install steel frame with concrete metal deck floor construction was chosen for the remaining superstructure elements. The client’s desire to reduce the visibility of linear vertical load bearing elements resulted in irregular column arrangements and larger spans of floor beams that partly cantilever out on the main face of the building in the west elevation. Requirements for blast proof design of designated elements were stipulated for the project. A new raised podium platform is connecting the existing with the new build Paxton Building from the east. This also enables van delivery to the 1st floor retail space. Structurally it comprises of a one storey steel frame that is horizontally stabilised by sway frame action and not relying on the surrounding structures. This structure includes cantilevering elements to not affect the car parking spaces below.
Lululemon Athletica required refurbishment of an existing building located on a busy road in central London to create an open plan store. It was necessary to maintain operations within the four storeys of office space above whilst the works took place. The construction sequence was therefore critical and we specified an Abbey Pynford Stool method of installing the steel frame in order to minimise temporary propping and deflection of the structure above. The programme was tight and our responsive team worked efficiently to provide robust solutions for the Contractor on site whilst retaining a quick and economical build.