It’s not often we get asked to open up the basement space in a Grade II listed building, with all the structural implications that holds, in terms of both loadings and knowledge of the original structure.
To achieve the internal alterations at basement level, new steel beams were required that could support the internal masonry loading for the three-storey building above, allowing for historical unknowns in the original build. This led to large loads needing to be accurately chased down through the building, while the design work also has to satisfy complex party wall agreements.
Design is complete and work should start on site in July.