Intelligent Steel is providing Henley Construct with lightweight steel frame above the first-floor slab at the Beamhouse Yard on 5-9 Surrey Street, a new mix-use development in Croydon.
Designed by Maccreanor Lavington Architects for PA Housing, the 8-storey development is set to provide a collection of one-, two- and three-bedroom homes at the corner of Surrey Street and Matthews Yard – the entrance to a regular weekly street market that has been in operation since the 13th century. The ambition is to create an architecturally rich and robust building that responds to the existing character of its context, which sets a quality precedent for future developments in the area.
Construction works included are the demolition of the existing building and redevelopment of the site. Commercial units will be provided on the lower ground and ground floor, with 60 flats above with associated public realm improvements and landscaping including a courtyard area, disabled car parking and cycle parking. In addition, there is a mix of communal roof terraces, inset balconies and winter gardens within the residential units.
Partnering with Intelligent Steel, Henley Construct will deliver the scheme using modern methods of construction and materials that are sympathetic to the local street scene and historic context of the conservation area. A vertical rhythm using different colours and textures of brickwork is introduced utilising recessed shadow gaps, decorative spandrels and continuous vertical reveals in order to provide a finer grain and modulation to the façade.
Intelligent Steel worked with Henley Construct's in-house architectural and construction teams with predetermined standards, efficiently calculating clash detection and accessibility issues prior to hitting site. This practically speeds the process up to 40% compared to traditional methods. Lightweight for medium-rise and mix-use buildings, in which the residential floors can be supported on a podium level, reduces foundation requirements.
Some other benefits of light steel construction in relation to residential buildings include excellent performance characteristics e.g. fire resistance, acoustic insulation, thermal insulation, high level of quality control, accuracy and freedom from shrinkage – reducing call-backs for defects.
With the street market kept open throughout works, using LSF minimises disturbance to the locality during construction as it requires fewer deliveries; which is also particularly advantageous where site constraints may limit the storage space available. The waste recycling in manufacture helps reducing on-site waste.
"Intelligent Steel has a first-class track record in delivering projects of this nature. Quality and detail are critically important to us. Working with Henley Construct we see the benefit of modern construction solutions and utilise DFMA principles to deliver efficiencies through all stages of design manufacture and construction", says Gavin Hunter, from Intelligent Steel.
The development is set for completion in late 2022.
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