Period Property conversion into four flats
Ealing
Urban
New Build/Structural engineering
Residential Flats
SERVICES BY AC DESIGN SOLUTION
Complete Tender With Structural Engineering,
Mechanicial Engineer & Architectural Design.
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Investors always want to maximize the number of flats they can obtain from a single dwelling. The more flats there are, the more money can be made. The challenge was how to fit four flats into a semi-detached house. The property will have to undergo significant structural alterations to accommodate the new flats.
The main challenges with the council were related to the outlook for the flats and the provision of private amenity spacing. The pre-application was unsuccessful due to insufficient private amenity spacing. So, how did we overcome this obstacle?
The next challenge was to obtain a rear extension in an area where none currently existed. Our clients were the first to have a first-floor bay extension. If we did not obtain this extension, the flat on the first floor would be undersized, which would disrupt the entire planning application.
Before & After
Solution
Undoubtedly, the building needed to be extended higher, as the flat roof offered wasted space that could accommodate an additional flat. However, challenges arose regarding potential overlooking issues from the neighboring building and justifying further vertical expansion when the existing structure was already taller.
To address these concerns, rigorous massing studies were conducted. Steps backs and steps ins were introduced to reduce prominence, and CGI renders showcased the proposed building within the street scene alongside the neighboring development.
But was this enough? Discussions with the council’s case officer were held to refine the design for approval from their manager. Private amenity spacing was relocated, and doors were replaced with windows to mitigate overlooking concerns. The introduction of windows aimed to discourage using the flat roof as a balcony, especially on the side adjacent to the planned neighboring building.
These efforts ultimately secured planning consent.
Furthermore, our structural solutions involved increasing column heights and using our own beams as clear spans, rather than connecting to the previously under-designed beams by the prior structural engineer. A disproportionate collapse statement was provided to address safety considerations.
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