Technicus Consulting is proud to have provided structural design and consultancy services for the successful redevelopment of an existing office building on Riverside Road in Gorleston. The project involved the construction of a two storey steel framed extension above the original two storey structure, transforming the building into a vibrant four storey mixed-use development.
Now completed, the scheme comprises a substantial open plan commercial unit at ground floor level with three upper floors of residential flats, significantly increasing the building’s usability and long-term value.
A key feature of this project was the sustainable approach to structural engineering, focused on the re-use and repurposing of the existing building. By retaining and upgrading the original loadbearing masonry structure and foundations, the project minimised demolition, reduced construction waste, and lowered the overall carbon footprint—demonstrating how thoughtful engineering can support a more sustainable built environment.
Technicus Consulting’s involvement included:
Foundation Assessment: Evaluation of the existing piled ground beam foundations to determine their capacity to carry new loads from the extension.
Foundation Enhancement Design: Design of new piled foundations to locally supplement the existing system where necessary.
Steel Frame Extension Design: Structural design and specification of a new two storey steel framed extension to accommodate residential units.
Masonry Wall Reinforcements: Design of enhancements to the original loadbearing masonry external walls to meet modern stability and progressive collapse requirements.
Sway Frame Integration: Design of structural steel sway frames at ground floor level to allow removal of internal loadbearing walls and enable a large open plan commercial space.
External Wall Infill Panels: Specification of timber framed infill panels for external walls.
Lintel Design: Design and specification of structural lintels throughout the development.
This project is a strong example of how engineering-led reuse of existing structures can provide economic, environmental, and social benefits—supporting both regeneration and sustainability goals.
Technicus Consulting is proud to support clients in delivering high-performance, future-ready buildings that make the most of existing resources.
To learn more about our sustainable structural engineering services, contact our team.
