Kilravock Street, Queen's Park

R.E.B was appointed to carry out the structural alteration package at a property on Kilravock Street, London, transforming the internal layout of the existing Victorian terraced house while carefully managing the structural implications of removing existing load-bearing elements.

The project involved significant alterations to the existing structure, including the removal of a load-bearing internal wall, removal of three chimney breasts and the formation of new openings through existing brickwork. The structural design was prepared by Furness Partnership following a site inspection of the existing building.

Creating a new internal configuration

A key element of the works was the removal of an internal load-bearing wall at ground-floor level to allow the rooms within the property to be reconfigured. R.E.B installed a new structural steel beam to support the floor and wall structure above, allowing the existing arrangement to be altered safely while maintaining the structural integrity of the building.

Chimney breast removal and structural support

The project also involved the removal of three existing chimney breasts, extending from ground floor through to roof level.

With the chimney breasts forming part of the existing masonry construction, their removal required carefully coordinated structural alterations. R.E.B installed new steel downstand beams to support the brickwork above following removal of the chimney breasts.

This type of work requires a controlled sequence of demolition, temporary support and installation of the permanent structural elements to ensure the existing building remains stable throughout the alteration process.

New structural openings

Further alterations included the formation of new openings within both the external and internal brickwork. Concrete lintels were installed to provide the required support over the newly formed openings.

The works therefore combined structural steelwork, masonry alterations and concrete lintel installation to deliver the revised layout.

Working within an existing Victorian property

The property is a two-storey Victorian terraced house with solid external brick walls, a mixture of brickwork and stud internal walls, three full-height chimney breasts and a rear two-storey extension.

Working within an existing building presents its own challenges, particularly when removing load-bearing walls and chimney breasts. The structural design specifically identified the need for appropriate temporary propping during installation, with the contractor required to provide temporary works proposals for review by the design engineer before construction.

R.E.B's role was therefore not simply to install the new structural elements, but to deliver the alteration package in a carefully sequenced and controlled manner, coordinating the removal of existing structure with the installation of the new permanent supports.

Structural alteration specialists

The Kilravock Street project demonstrates R.E.B's capability in delivering structural alteration packages within existing residential buildings, from the controlled removal of load-bearing walls and chimney breasts through to the installation of new steel beams and lintels.

By combining experienced site teams with careful sequencing and coordination with the structural design team, R.E.B successfully undertook the structural modifications required to facilitate the property's new internal configuration while maintaining the integrity of the existing building.

Project team

• Main contractor: Axis Europe