Bretton Court – Feasibility Rooftop Development

  • Client: Medesham Homes & Peterborough Council
  • Services: Feasibility Study, Architect, Structural and M+E Engineers. Cost Consultants and Principal Designers
A key objective of the Feasibility Study was to consider the creation of a single-story roof top development, to increase the capacity of the building at fourth floor level, together with an option for a pitch roof conversion.
Value:
£5m
Size:
45 1-2-bedroom flats, public house, retail shop and a office
Contract:
JCT Design and Build 2016
Capital PCC was commissioned to produce a feasibility study to convert the Client’s existing vacant office building, at Bretton Court, into residential flats.

The property is an office block situated on Flaxland, adjacent the Bretton Shopping Centre Car Park in Peterborough. The property has several shops and offices on the ground floor, still trading, while the first, second and third floor were used as offices but are now vacant. At the south corner of the building there is a Public House, The Roundhead, which spans on 2 floors, ground and first floor, and has been vacant for the last 7 years.

A key objective of the Feasibility Study was to consider the creation of a single-story roof top development, to increase the capacity of the building at fourth floor level, together with an option for a pitch roof conversion. Capital undertook a detailed inspection of the structure and fabric of the building and managed and coordinated intrusive investigations and material testing to determine the suitability of the building to accommodate the additional loads. Close visual inspection of the external fabric was undertaken by abseiling to all elevations. Internal surveys and investigations were carried out to first, second and third floors to ascertain the construction and condition of the existing elements. The foundations and the Mains Services (Gas, Electricity, Water and Drainage) were also assessed for suitability. Initial access for investigation to the ground floor areas was restricted due to parts of the building remaining in occupation.

Services

  • 01
    Feasibility Study
  • 02
    Architecture Designers
  • 03
    Structural and M+E Engineers
  • 04
    Principal Designer
  • 05
    Cost Consultants

Our Structural Engineers worked closely with the Contractors and other members of the team to manage the various surveys, opening up investigations and testing, including a Ground Investigation report, a Cover Meter survey and concrete testing.

The Feasibility Report determined that the Public House would need an SFS load bearing system as the existing roof beams supporting this area would not be suitable for supporting the new storey. The existing beams would be replaced with new increased capacity beams connected to the existing columns. The work would also include repositioning existing steel bracing, construction of the additional storey using light weight steel frame, raising the existing floors, infilling existing stairwells, new windows, and new external insulated render finish to existing walls.

It was necessary to design the work in the knowledge that parts of the building would remain in occupation throughout, and special provisions included in the Building Contract to ensure that the Contractor had suitable Resident Liaison functions included in their proposals. The value of work was estimated to be £5M+.

All aspects of the design were monitored at each stage to ensure strict accord with the Brief and the Cost Plan, and general compliance with all relevant Codes and Standards. Any proposed variations were assessed as part of the Risk Strategy, which also dealt with any Health and Safety issues. The Designer worked closely with the Engineers (Structural and Services) and interfaced with the Planning Officer at every Gateway Review.

The existing fabric construction, services and structural grid presented a challenge for the Architectural design of the new flats, to comply to the Housing Design Guide and Building Regs. This was successfully resolved also with the help of in-house Structural Engineers and Mechanical Engineer

Richard O’Reilly Capital Project Manager

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