Background
This project involved adding a new storey to an existing three-storey building, with commercial space on the ground floor and flats above.
The developer, Latin Quarter, had concerns about the structural weight and complexity of the initial scheme. Their previous engineer had proposed an extensive steel frame, but it felt heavy-handed and costly. They turned to Re-Structured for a second opinion before locking in the design.
Our assessment
We reviewed the plans and quickly saw scope to reduce material, cost and complexity:
- Steelwork: The original scheme included a large steel grillage at the rear. We challenged this and proposed a smarter layout with clear spans using engineered timber joists, cutting unnecessary intermediate structure.
- Stability: We introduced new internal blockwork walls to provide lateral stability and meet fire performance requirements.
- Weight + Materials: Our revised scheme reduced steel by 49% (over 3,100kg) and timber by 861kg while simplifying the build.
Our recommendations were shared in-person with the client, using a sketch scheme to explain how we could reduce structure while maintaining performance. The team appreciated the clarity, and the commercial upside.