Housing Developer Commercial Conversion
Aug–Nov 2023
**The Challenge**
To provide the customer with structural calculations and a design plan for converting a building set up for a care home into new flats, including proposed drainage plan for the new converted apartments.
**Our Approach**
To effectively address the client’s requested alterations, the following structured approach was undertaken
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Building regs Compliant
Design process
Detailed Desk Study
- Conducted a comprehensive desk study to understand the requirements for the proposed alterations.
- Analysed relevant regulations, site conditions, and potential challenges to inform the design process.
Utilisation of Existing Drawings
- Leveraged existing architectural drawings and planning documents obtained from the Planning Portal.
- Used these documents to inform the design calculations, ensuring alignment with the existing structure and compliance with regulations.
360-Degree Survey Walkthrough
- The client provided a 360-degree survey walkthrough of the existing property.
- This tool allowed for a detailed examination of the space, facilitating a more accurate and tailored design that meets the client’s vision.
**The Solution**
- The structural solution for transforming the existing care facility into new flats involves a detailed analysis of the building’s load-bearing capacity, allowing for the removal of non-structural walls to create open living spaces.
- An innovative aspect of the design includes the use of lightweight steel framing, which reduces overall weight while maintaining structural integrity, therefore minimising the need for extensive reinforcements.
- The proposed drainage plan incorporates a modular drainage system that efficiently manages increased wastewater and surface water flow from the additional apartments, featuring a combination of gravity-fed pipes to be properly managed and compliance with local regulation