Preparing for take off
Whatever happens with the B-word, PRO Structures fully intends to keep serving our community of architects, developers and fellow construction industry professionals.
Structural glazing update
PRO Structures is delighted to have recently completed design of the structural elements for the large curtain walling elevations of the new 16,200 m2 cargo service centre as part of Heathrow’s Project Ensemble (pictured below, for Ridgeway Glazing); glazed facade design for the new Thatcher’s Cider Factory in Winscombe for The Windowglass Co Ltd; and structural glazing design for the new Peugeot showroom in Maidstone, for Advanced Automotive Access.
Small is beautiful… green oak timber design in Sneyd Park, Bristol
Refurbishment/change of use from garage to dwelling in Julian Road
In contrast to, and every bit as interesting as our large glazing schemes, we recently worked with MLG Architects to carve a green oak timber framed living space out of a garage in Julian Road, Sneyd Park in Clifton, in liaison with specialist timber supplier Westwind Oak.
We designed new foundations, green oak timber trusses and oak column framing, as well as mortice and tenon connections, for this fascinating refurb/change of use scheme. Maintaining the building’s stability with this design, where one side is attached, the other detached and the client wanted as column-free and open a space as possible, was a challenge we were happy to rise to, and the results speak for themselves.
New on the drawing board:
Union House change of use to 15 flats in Trowbridge, and a single-storey steel barn conversion in Bristol
At Union House, a disused 1970s office building in Trowbridge, we are justifying an existing reinforced concrete frame for additional roof extensions in a new build/change of use conversion, using a Masterseries 3D structural model. This scheme, which adds a new storey on both the front and rear elevations, will create 15 new apartments from the original office building.
Meanwhile, we will be converting an agricultural steel barn off Bifield Road in Stockwood, Bristol, into a new single-storey residential building, for Nicholas Morley Architects. To achieve a the build, we are modifying the existing steel frame, via localised strengthening while also strengthening the foundations for the revised scheme.
Below: PRO Structures’ MasterSeries 3D design model showing the front elevation of Union House.
Action Stations – Live on Site
The year has started well for PRO Structures, with numerous new developments on site:
- Stonehouse Area H21 for Redrow SW – Foundations for the first of these Heritage range of houses are in the ground now, and the show home is being built. We have provided the sub-structure design for 130 new homes in total.
- 33-35 High Street, Shirehampton – another change of use scheme, plus a new residential apartment block on adjacent land in Pembroke Road. The scheme, for which we are proud to have carried out the structural design, will complete this September, providing 16 new apartments across both buildings.
- Union House, Trowbridge – Demolition of the existing external masonry cladding, as well as that of the internal load-bearing walls, is nearly complete.
- Bishopsworth Police Station – Demolition of this former police station has just been completed for our client, Hawkfield Homes. The building’s crushed concrete and masonry will be used as hardcore, which will then be proof rolled to raise the ground levels on which 8 new proposed houses will be built, in a development which will be known as Anton’s Corner.
Launch of the PRO Structures Dream Team!
On April 6th, Vitali, Luke and Jenni will be completing – we hope! – the gruelling 65km Tour de Bristol up the Wye Valley for St Peter’s Hospice. If you’d like to help us to help those battling cancer, you can:
https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/jenni-oconnor-tour-de-bristol-15489
Staff News
We are delighted to announce that on 1st April, a new graduate engineer, Chimdi Iboko, will be joining us. He will be part of our structural design delivery team, and will be working towards his IStructE qualification. We look forward to welcoming him on board.
That’s it from us for this edition – we hope you have enjoyed the read. Wishing you a happy, healthy and prosperous spring!
Ron and the team
