Project challenges
UNFINISHED BASEMENT
Excavating a new basement to gain additional space is relatively common in London where real estate prices are sky high. However, for this job, work had already begun on the refurbishment before the new basement had been dug out and finished.
Solution: Frequent contact with the builder on this job was paramount given that excavation work was still ongoing. A number of meetings – design team meetings, coordination meeting and weekly meetings were necessary to keep the project on track.
BACK-TO-FRONT SEQUENCE OF WORKS
All the services were due to originate in the unfinished basement, including the new mains switchgear which ideally needed to be installed at the outset.
Solution: Darke & Taylor (D&T) began working from the top of the property, as far away from the basement as possible to give the builder and mechanical contractor space and time. Cabling was then terminated down to ground level, to be connected once the new basement was complete.
GRADE II* LISTED
The majority of Eaton Square is Grade II* listed − ‘particularly important buildings of more than special interest’ – which demands a higher level of protection than a Grade II listing ‘ buildings that are of special interest, warranting every effort to preserve them.’
Solution: Particular care had to be taken when routing through existing structures. These had to be carefully finished off and any ‘destructive work’ had to be remedied and refinished as per the original.
CENTRAL LONDON LOCATION
Working in a residential area always demands, considerate construction working practises, but especially so in one as prestigious as Eaton Square.
Solution: D&T pre-agreed timeframes for working hours pre-agreed with building control and planning, as directed by the main contractor. This meant no noisy works before certain times and work to be carried out only during pre-agreed time frames.
Gallery
“Particular care had to be taken when routing through existing structures. These had to be carefully finished off and any ‘destructive work’ had to be remedied and refinished as per the original.”
