Structural Engineering, Interior Design and Conservation
Are you considering a loft conversion, internal alterations, an extension? If you will need to work close to a neighbours boundary then this would come under the requirements of a party wall notice.
Have a look at the governments guidance as to what you are required to do
We worked on this project with Austin Design Works a few years ago. It was previously a house and separate garage but now fully upgraded and with a contemporary link. The building makes the most of the views across the valley towards Inchbrook. There are a few in progress photographs below but follow this link to see the final design – Cotswold Stone Family Home.
There are many different types of surveys and investigations for buildings and the Construction Industry Council (CIC) has produced a useful document defining the different types. The term “structural survey” although widely used should be avoided as it is not well defined and can lead to confusion as to what is included or excluded. A link to the document is included below.
Bespoke Shelter at Bournemouth University with a sloping roof cantilevering from a central frame.
Constructed and installed by Able Canopies, more information can be found at the link below.
https://www.ablecanopies.co.uk/i/dorset/bournemouth/bournemouth-university.html
We have been working with PN Architecture on a house extension in Wotton-under-Edge. This involved removing most of the ground floor walls of the kitchen and supporting the first floor on new steel beams and columns.
Completion (Photo by PN Architecture)
The Institution of Structual Engineers has produced a guide for employing Structural Engineers. This can be downloaded by following this link Building Confidence.
Progress in Eastcombe, Stroud with the construction of large retaining walls. The walls are on a steeply sloping site with the lower level incorporated into an extension to a house and the upper level forming a terrace accessed from the new first floor. Constructed from Stepoc hollow blocks with reinforcement they can be installed quickly without the need for shuttering.
The architect is Design for Living and the contractor is InShape Stroud.
We have been working with Able Canopies to design the supporting structural elements for this shade sail canopy in Lancashire.
Taking apart a house by removing the roof of this house in Crudwell with Jagged Edge Design architects. The proposal is to extend the useable floor space at first floor level by reconfiguring the roof.
An alert was issued recently by CROSS (Confidential Reporting on Structural safety) regarding the fixing of photovoltaic cells onto existing roofs.
The panels add weight to the roof which when added to snow and wind loading can bring the capacity of the roof to its capacity.
If the panels are not properly fixed, they can be blown off through wind suction loads.
Under snow loading, a sudden thaw on top of the smooth surface of the panel can lead to snow suddenly sliding off and causing injury to persons below.
The alterations to the roof form an alteration to the structure and needs to be assessed.
The effect of the additional weight and all of the fixings should be assessed by a suitably qualified person. This should be a Chartered Structural Engineer or in England and Wales this could also be somebody under a Competent Persons Scheme.
A full copy of the report is available here.