Credit: Timothy Soar
A 1970s concrete-framed former council office has been reinvented as a boutique hotel
Before construction work began on the Standard Hotel on London’s Euston Road, structural engineer Heyne Tillett Steel (HTS) tested the capacity of the structure, foundations and ground to reveal their spare capacity. Once complete, they were confident that the concrete frame and under-reamed piles could be pushed to allow the conversion of the building and a three-storey extension to be added to the structure.
To support the required three additional floors that start at level nine, new supporting steel perimeter columns from the first-floor transfer slab was the preferred option. Adding the three storeys, a 30% increase to the weight of the building, only required discrete strengthening to four existing columns.
HTS says the use of steel enabled the new floors to be lightweight and shallow in depth. Steel also adhered to tight hotel vibration criteria and the long-span existing office column grid below.
The judges said through forensic analysis of the existing building and highly intelligent design responses, this project showcases the role of structural steel in repurposing and enlarging this existing building, maximising the retention of embodied carbon. This has created a new landmark on one of the capital’s principal arteries.
- Commendation: The Standard Hotel, London
- Architect: Orms
- Structural engineer: Heyne Tillett Steel
- Main contractor: McLaren Construction
- Client: Crosstree Real Estate Partners LLP
