Copse Hill, Wimbledon

Background:

Copse Hill is located near Wimbledon Hill Park, on a site where a large, existing residential dwelling was to be demolished and in its place an extensive domestic property re-constructed with the creation of a basement construction, including pool and gym within this lower level, along with an additional 3 floors above.

Construction:

Quorum Project Management were instructed to undertake the Structural and Civil Engineering design, construction management and CDM for the project.

The basement was constructed utilising contiguous piling predominately to the perimeter, with secant piling in the pool area. This is lined with a reinforced concrete inner wall to form the internal construction and utilise the construction to provide an element of waterproofing along with liaison with specialist waterproofing contractors to ensure a water-tight sub-structure.

The upper levels are constructed from load-bearing masonry and steelwork structure designed within safe working limits considering aesthetic issues, which have provided challenges to the structural design. A large curved bay window, with terrace above, provides access to the rear of the property. This bay has required considered engineering judgement to ensure the bay is suitably supported at ground floor level.

Further site restrictions have been in the lowering of the levels and ensuring party-wall considerations have not affected adjoining properties. Forming retaining walls to 108 Copse Hill, to support the neighbouring property’s ground without causing any detrimental damage was a high concern. However, liaison on site with the contractor and management on site has ensured the installation of boundary wall elements safely and securely.

The existing site drainage ran across the back of the existing building, with the construction of the new building, this would cut across the new build and would require diverting. Quorum Project Management provided design solutions to divert the new drainage and provide SUDS (Sustainable Urban Drainage System) solutions to limit the flow of surface water drainage to the existing surface water drains.