In case you haven’t seen our latest newsletter in your inbox, we realise a few months have passed since our last update, so we wanted to share some of our news.
News from the shop floor
It’s been a very exciting summer for us, with a busy order book and rapidly expanding workload – we’ve noticed a particular increase in change of use conversion design (typically a disused commercial/industrial building into residential), as well as our traditional mix of structural and civil engineering for both new build and extension-type work in the residential sector along with a smattering of commercial, office and public sector developments.
Helping us this summer has been placement graduate Johnny Tang, who joined us for an internship following gaining a 1st in his MEng at Cardiff University – continuing our relationship with universities in the south-west enabling us to offer work experience to graduates and undergrads. The extra pair of hands has in turn helped us to keep on track with our deliverables, and we hope our clients continue to be happy with the service we provide.
In the mix at the moment….
Extension to Easton Mosque – two-storey with dome
As ever, we are delighted to serve a range of architects, developers and other specialists/contractors, and among our most interesting ongoing schemes is the new rear (350 ft2) and front (2000 ft2) extension, plus internal alterations, to Jamia Masjid (Easton) Mosque where we are assisting our client M&M Construction. Bristol’s biggest mosque is expanding with a domed extension in the courtyard of the former church hall where it is based, commissioning a two-storey extension to cope with growing numbers of worshippers, and we are providing structural superstructure designs along with site inspection services. To read more about the planned expansion, read the full story here:
http://www.bristolpost.co.uk/domed-extension-plan-largest-mosque-bristol/story-25840347-detail/story.html.
Change of use to create 10 new apartments, plus a new 3-storey apartment building, in Shirehampton for Alliance Property Care with Barton Willmore
Our client, social housing provider Alliance Property Care, who own and manage around 6,500 homes in the South West, proposes to modify an existing 3-storey commercial building to provide an additional lightweight 2nd floor while changing the 1st and 2nd floors, currently made up of offices and a break-out area, into 10 residential apartments. The ground floor will remain a Job Centre, which Alliance lease out.
Our design to replace the existing second floor with a lightweight alternative will make it both easier and more cost-effective in build terms. Meanwhile, we are also working with Alliance on designs for of a new 3-storey apartment building situated on adjacent land at 24 Pembroke Road, Shirehampton.
Barton Willmore, the UK’s leading independent planning and design consultancy, is providing the architectural lead on both designs, and we are undertaking the civil and structural engineering design on each project.
We are also proud to be working on this stunning wraparound extension for Lewis Foster Lewis at Plum Tree Cottage in North Nibley – the steel frame has just been erected!
Eco-friendly SIP Panel Design for Clear Future Architects
At 447 St John’s Lane, Bristol, we are proud to be working with Clear Future Architects to design a 2-storey wrap around extension to a semi-detached house using SIP panel construction design. Structural Insulated Panels (SIPs) are a high-performance building system for residential and light commercial construction, consisting of an insulating foam core sandwiched between two structural facings, and the result is a building system that is extremely strong, energy efficient and cost effective; saving time, money and labour.
PRO Structures are carrying out the SIP superstructure design, using SIPS Eco Panels Ltd’s panels and design details.
Next phase underway for Redrow’s Stanley Park development at Laurence Green (ex-Dings Rugby Club)
The Stanley Park development on the site of the former Combination Club in Stoke Gifford, Bristol, is a multi-phase scheme in which we are proud to be working with Redrow (SW) Ltd, providing the sub- and superstructure design for 95 four- and five-bedroom homes, some with standalone garages and some with garages built at ground level under the dwelling.
Described by Redrow as ‘setting a new benchmark in high quality living’, the next part of the development extends into Laurence Green, site of the old Dings rugby club. For this new phase, we have recently completed our tender designs for some 30 houses and some 12 apartments to be built in two 2-storey apartment blocks. The new homes will be constructed using loadbearing masonry walls, suspended pre-cast concrete beam and block ground floors, timber and precast concrete plank first and second floors and timber trussed rafter roofs.
That’s all for now – if we can help at all, or you have any questions, then please get in touch!
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