Steeped in History
Symmetrys was instructed to undertake the structural engineering design of a new rooftop terrace development to the existing Burleigh House, 355-359 Strand.
This was a project steeped in history. Burleigh House was originally constructed as a block of terraced houses and shops between 1830 and 1832 as part of the West Strand improvements, planned by John Nash. The National Archives showed several photographs prior to a façade retention scheme that took place post-WWII. Further redevelopment of the building took place in the 1990s, which again involved façade retention and extensive refurbishment works. The existing mansard roofs were added during these works, and construction of the reinforced concrete frame was also carried out. The structural frame comprised ribbed slabs spanning between band beams, which in turn spanned between reinforced concrete columns.
The site was located on The Strand, a critical Central London thoroughfare, and therefore site logistics were the driving force behind many of our structural solutions. Careful consideration was given to off-site construction to minimise site traffic. Incumbent tenants who continued to use the building during the works also added to the challenge.
The proposed works exerted additional loads on the structure, and the existing roof did not have the capacity to accommodate the increased loads. Symmetrys therefore developed options to retain the existing structure and provided neat, innovative and sustainable solutions to strengthen the existing steel beams on site.
