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PROJECT NEWS
BASEMENT FEASIBILITY STUDY
Constructure have been carrying out feasibility studies for the formation of a double basement beneath an existing double basement. Extensive investigation works and 3D modelling of existing and proposed structure plus underground services routes, have been used to determine constraints and possible solutions for the proposals.
NEW BUILD RESIDENCE, WENTWORTH
Constructure have been appointed for structural design of this 12,000ft2 house with basement, set within private grounds. Designed in a classical style, the main entrance hallway reveals a sweeping stone staircase, with a glass lantern over. External light-wells are incorporated to provide daylighting to the basement. Option studies are currently being carried out for the construction of both superstructure and basement, with the main build expected to be on site summer 2012.
CONSTRUCTURE’S NEW OFFICE
We are very pleased to announce that we are moving into our new office at the end of this week, at The Leathermarket, London SE1 3ER
NEW BUILD HOUSE, BRENTWOOD
Constructure have been appointed to carry out pre-planning feasibility studies on this modern new build house in Brentwood, Essex. The proposed building incorporates a small basement, large open plan living area at ground floor, with pod type bedrooms above. Architectural design by Nicolas Tye Architects
THE BISHOPS AVENUE, N2
Constructure have been given the go ahead to commence structural design for this refurbishment of a large detached house on The Bishops Avenue. The works comprise basement modifications, including reworking the current pool area, two new subterranean car lifts, internal alterations to the existing house, and ground drainage improvement works.
RUSSIAN ORTHODOX CATHEDRAL
Constructure are engaged in designing structures for the refurbishment of this Grade II* listed building in Knightsbridge. Built in 1849 in an Italian-Romanesque style, and later extended and improved by Townsend.
The refurbishments include a new baptisimal font, necessitating substructural alterations to accommodate, as well as extensive heavy solid marble finishes and iconostasis screens throughout. Project management by Inner Circle Consulting, architectural detailing by Barrett Lloyd Davis Associates.
NIKE STORE, WESTFIELD LONDON
Constructure have designed the structure for the new 8m high shopfront at the Nike store in Westfield, White City, designed by architectural interiors specialists HMKM. Project managed by David Reynolds
The scheme required that part of the existing glass facade was kept in place and protected while a new two-tonne steel sign, integrated with new glass facade, was hung from the primary steel frame above.
The careful site coordination of the glass and steel trades was carried out by the contractor, Resolution Interiors, using in-house detailers. The project has now completed on programme.
INDIGO HOTEL, BRIGHTON
Constructure this week commenced initial structural designs for this exciting new mixed-use 4* hotel and office development, on former railway property adjacent the Brighton railway terminus.
In an area of much recent regeneration, this new development will be a predominantly concrete framed building standing 8 storeys high with a basement cut into the chalk ground.
The building is being modelled from the outset using 3D software to ensure full integration of all design elements.
Architectural design by AROS Architects, Project Management by QPM.
COUNTRY ESTATE, LAKE DISTRICT
Constructure have been appointed on this new-build house & outbuildings, set within a 1500 acre private estate in the heart of the Lake District.
We have now commenced the structural and below-ground drainage design for the 15,000 ft2 house, with large basement incorporating swimming pool, spa and gym. A 3D model of the building has been generated as a first step to defining and refining the structural principals, using Google SketchUp Pro.
A podium level RC deck, utilising bamtec pre-welded reinforcement to speed up the construction process, is being used in combination with thin-joint block walls internally, supporting pre-cast concrete floor planks.
As part of ensuring the house meets Code for Sustainable Homes level 4, and to meet the fast track programme, insulated concrete formwork is being used for both the retaining structure to the basement and also for the external walls above ground level. Architectural design and building modeling is being carried out by YOOP Architects using BIM software.
CRAWTHEW GROVE
Constructure are appointed to carry out structural design of this contemporary new build house in East Dulwich, London
A site investigation has now been carried out by Concept Ltd to determine the local soil conditions and ground water levels. Using the results of this investigation, the structural design is currently being progressed towards tender status information.
The new house completes the existing terrace visually, nestled between the two existing corner properties, with the majority of the accommodation being situated within a large basement covering the entire site. The basement also contains a swimming pool to the rear of the site, with the retaining structure being formed using a combination of contiguous mini-piles, and traditional underpinning with RC liner wall. At it’s deepest point, the house extends the same distance below ground as above.
Above ground, the house is traditionally constructed, designed to blend in with the existing streetscape, and conceal the modern house contained behind the diminutive facade. A green roof sits over the single storey rear section of the house, which is supported onto a reinforced concrete transfer slab over the basement. This allows the pool area to be column-free, adding to the sense of space within the lower ground floor. A cantilevered steel roof structure allows the single-storey extension above to be entirely glazed to the rear elevation, without any visible structure.
Architectural design by PAD Architects
PICTS HILL
Constructure have carried out pre-planning feasibility studies for this contemporary and ambitious new build addition to an existing stone cottage, designed by Nicolas Tye Architects.
The scheme incorporates a cantilevered glass clad bedroom wing, which will appear to float above the ground floor gabion structures. As part of our work, we are carrying out scheme design of the 6m, cantilevered steel trusses, and considering potential construction sequencing using large pre-fabricated stressed-skin structural panels.
Overall stability of the building is to be provided by steel box frames at 3no. locations along the length of the new section of building, allowing the internal spaces to be reconfigured without interruption of cross walls. The wall panels have been designed using a combination of trus joists in combination with ply skins to allow long-span stiff wall panels, negating the need for intermediate wind posts.
Foundations are to be piled, with a zig-zag configuration RC wall providing support to the steel stub posts, which in turn support the accommodation wing over. The slots within the RC walls allow light through the base structure, adding to the illusion of the building floating above the ground.
GREAT PORTLAND STREET: FEASIBILITY STUDY
Constructure have co-ordinated investigation works and carried-out a feasibility study for the refurbishment and conversion of an existing 4-storey apartment, incorporating a triple height basement, within the west end of London.
Argent Design proposed alterations to the existing deep basement, which would puncture the existing waterproof envelope – the formation of a pool in the basement floor, and an extension of the liftshaft downwards, outside the western wall. As part of the study, local groundwater levels have been determined through investigation, carried out by Concept Ltd to determine the head of groundwater acting on the structure. These investigations have allowed the scheme to develop to ensure economic viability of the proposals.
The proposals for the basement conversion involve new steelwork structure supported onto the existing RC columns and walls, with existing RC elements removed to certain locations, allowing more open space at the lower levels, essential in order to form the pool.
Investigation work and structural analysis has been carried out to determine the strength of the existing RC structure, and its ability to carry these additional loads.
GLOUCESTER GATE
Refurbishment of a large Grade I listed townhouse, designed by John Nash in 1811 as part of a plan to redevelop the Crown Estate. The property sits adjacent Regents Park, and is being refurbished with Argent Design and London Projects
Constructure are appointed for structural design on this high-end house refurbishment, incorporating a new ‘endless’ swimming pool within the existing basement.
CONCRETE CANVAS PAVILION
In August, Constructure were invited by Timothy Hatton Architects to provide structural advice and design for a free-standing and striking pavilion concept, for exhibition at the London Design Festival 2011 on Portobello Dock.
Concrete Canvas was developed principally as a civil engineering product, but also used to create small domed temporary shelter structures.
The material is a cement-impregnated textile, supplied in rolls. It is typically laid in-situ, and then hydrated, curing to a solid form within 24 hours.
THA’s proposal was to manufacture profiled sections of this material, ex-situ, upon formers, as individual structural wall and beam elements, which would then be erected to create a free-standing shelter.
Constructure analysed the proposed profiles to determine structural capacities, then formed and load-tested some experimental samples to determine actual capacity, and behaviour under stress to failure. The testing also considered manufacturing practicalities, of hydrating the elements uniformly and effectively upon the timber forms. This resulted in some developments to optimise the section for strength and formation practicality.
The wave-form walls were sufficiently wide to be inherently stable in ordinary conditions, and the roof had sufficient weight to resist wind uplift. As such, the pavilion in this setting was able to be put together without any form of tied joints. In more severe exposure conditions, the structure might be held-down using tension wires in the vertical wall voids, attached to ground-anchors.
The finished result was a pleasingly proportioned and detailed exhibition space, using only five different profile types. In a real-world application, the advantages of using such material in this way would be: ease of material handling, rapid deployment, minimal required ground surface preparation.
ST. JAMES’S STREET
Constructure have been developing a structural scheme for the refurbishment of a prestigious Grade II listed building in St. James’s, London’s traditional ‘Clubland’.
Built in the early 1800s with a grand Portland stone façade, a refurbishment in the 1990s substantially altered the upper layouts with a storey-height long-span steel truss.
The latest proposals expand the modernisation of the interior space, to provide world-class hospitality facilities. A remodelling of the upper levels including a substantial new roof extension and a new basement spa will be incorporated.
Extensive and thorough research and investigations have been carried out to determine the existing structural arrangement. The existing and new structure is being modelled in 3D from the outset, to allow load-paths and structural systems to be clearly identified, and new structures and spaces fully coordinated and optimised.