Horwitz Associates

Our first in-depth look back of the year is a project we completed in 2023, small in terms of size but challenging structurally! Working on the remodelling of a large property in Hampstead, we provided detailed design for the structural alterations necessary to achieve the new internal layouts. As part of the works, the main staircase was extended down to the existing basement via a new large void cut through the reinforced concrete slab of the RC basement box. In addition, the new layout for the basement in relation to the new stair meant that a new door opening to the main living space had to go through a key RC column supporting a large proportion of the house structure above, which had to be removed. To eliminate the need for temporary propping and remedial works to the existing foundations, Horwitz Associates detailed the permanent steel frame to work as a ‘picture frame’ framing the new opening and effectively taking the loads off the RC column to transfer it back at its base to the existing foundation. The permanent steel frame is also used as temporary propping, using flat jacks to offload the RC column to ensure the column could be safely demolished. This also minimises the movement of the existing structure above as the loads are already transferred to the new permanent frame prior to any demolition. Horwitz Associates provided full detailed designs for the permanent steel frame, as well as outline sequencing and monitoring for the works. The main contractor Bailey & Jones Ltd, and jacking specialist Hydra-Capsule Limited did a great job on site! Main contractor: Bailey & Jones Ltd Flat jacking specialist Contractor: Hydra-Capsule Limited Movement Monitoring: Advanced Site Engineering Surveys

A key milestone reached on another project this year! A few weeks ago, the basement works for a new-build bespoke house in Brentwood were completed by TVaughan for Sweeney Construction. The new house boasts a 6m deep single storey RC basement box over 650m2 housing amenity spaces and 1,000m2 above ground across 3 floors. The high ground water table and immediate proximity of neighbouring properties on 2 sides of the basement presented challenges for the basement construction. Permanent secant piled walls with temporary hydraulic steel shore props allowed excavation down to the deepest part of the basement at over 7m below ground for the car lift. As structural and civil engineers on the project, the Team at Horwitz Associates really enjoyed designing and detailing the basement structure and superstructure. We now look forward to seeing the steel frame taking shape on site and we’ll post more updates. #structuralengineering

Our colleagues Matthieu Roure and Uday shankar sai vejandla paid a visit to our Garratt Lane site where Higgins Partnerships are delivering a new NHS Health Centre and pharmacy, as well as 2 blocks of residential units. The 4-storey RC frame and piled foundations for the new NHS Health Centre and pharmacy, designed by Horwitz Associates and constructed by Togher Construction Ltd., is now complete. Because the adjacent existing Health Centre and pharmacy which occupies the other half of the site, have to stay open until the new buildings are handed over, the construction of the RC frame for the residential blocks had to be phased with only a partial section completed on site. So we designed the RC frame for the residential blocks so the frame can be partially built in the first phase of construction. In addition, a shallow main sewer runs along the East side of the site. We developed a strategy at early stage to allow the foundations of the Health Centre to cantilever over the sewer exclusion zone, and produced all necessary details to obtain Build Over agreement. Client: Higgins Partnerships Architects: Pollard Thomas Edwards Framing Contractor: Togher Construction Ltd.

A key milestone reached on another project this year! A few weeks ago, the basement works for a new-build bespoke house in Brentwood were completed by TVaughan for Sweeney Construction. The new house boasts a 6m deep single storey RC basement box over 650m2 housing amenity spaces and 1,000m2 above ground across 3 floors. The high ground water table and immediate proximity of neighbouring properties on 2 sides of the basement presented challenges for the basement construction. Permanent secant piled walls with temporary hydraulic steel shore props allowed excavation down to the deepest part of the basement at over 7m below ground for the car lift. As structural and civil engineers on the project, the Team at Horwitz Associates really enjoyed designing and detailing the basement structure and superstructure. We now look forward to seeing the steel frame taking shape on site and we’ll post more updates. #structuralengineering

We are excited to share details about a dynamic project that is currently underway, structured in two phases for optimal development. We’ve had the pleasure of working with Higgins Partnerships , Pollard Thomas Edwards , and Togher Construction Ltd. on this project. Phase 1 comprises of 105 units, featuring a mix of apartments in RC frame buildings and traditional LBM houses. These buildings showcase diverse typologies, materials, and superstructures, with the vision to create a vibrant and distinctive community. The foundation of this development is based on pile foundation, strategically chosen to accommodate the unique soil characteristics of the site. The apartment blocks rise up to four storeys and are equipped with reinforced concrete core housing staircases and lifts. Each block includes a setback last floor, with one featuring a remarkable steel-framed mansard roof adorned with balconies and dormers. The balconies are a combination of RC and steel, intricately connected to the main RC frame. Notably, Horwitz Associates played a pivotal role in the balcony design, ensuring a seamless integration with the primary RC structure. Elevations are distinctive, characterized by features and oriel windows, necessitating a meticulous steel frame design. In this aspect, Horwitz Associates contributed significantly, providing expertise in crafting the design intent for the entire project. Furthermore, all houses in the development boast high efficiency, incorporating advanced insulation materials to improve the thermal performance of the building. Horwitz Associates is proud to be a part of this visionary project, contributing our expertise and engineering solutions. We will provide more updates soon on this exciting project! #structuralengineering #civilengineering #Construction #Architecture #Innovation #ProjectDevelopment #HorwitzAssociates

We are excited to share details about a dynamic project that is currently underway, structured in two phases for optimal development. We’ve had the pleasure of working with Higgins Partnerships , Pollard Thomas Edwards , and Togher Construction Ltd. on this project. Phase 1 comprises of 105 units, featuring a mix of apartments in RC frame buildings and traditional LBM houses. These buildings showcase diverse typologies, materials, and superstructures, with the vision to create a vibrant and distinctive community. The foundation of this development is based on pile foundation, strategically chosen to accommodate the unique soil characteristics of the site. The apartment blocks rise up to four storeys and are equipped with reinforced concrete core housing staircases and lifts. Each block includes a setback last floor, with one featuring a remarkable steel-framed mansard roof adorned with balconies and dormers. The balconies are a combination of RC and steel, intricately connected to the main RC frame. Notably, Horwitz Associates played a pivotal role in the balcony design, ensuring a seamless integration with the primary RC structure. Elevations are distinctive, characterized by features and oriel windows, necessitating a meticulous steel frame design. In this aspect, Horwitz Associates contributed significantly, providing expertise in crafting the design intent for the entire project. Furthermore, all houses in the development boast high efficiency, incorporating advanced insulation materials to improve the thermal performance of the building. Horwitz Associates is proud to be a part of this visionary project, contributing our expertise and engineering solutions. We will provide more updates soon on this exciting project! #structuralengineering #civilengineering #Construction #Architecture #Innovation #ProjectDevelopment #HorwitzAssociates

Happy Tuesday! We’re excited to share a fantastic, finished project of ours, Dudbrook Care Home. Horwitz Associates delivered comprehensive Structural and Civil Engineering services for the construction of a new approximately £10 million care facility, spanning two floors and featuring a substantial basement space of around 500m2. Horwitz's involvement extended from the initial scheme design for the primary client through to the production of construction information after being transferred to the main contractor, Horizon Construction. The structure of the care home exhibits a diverse use of construction materials, including reinforced concrete for the basement and ground floor slab, traditional load-bearing masonry with precast plank floors for the two wings, and a customized primary steel frame at the building's center to accommodate the significant spans required for communal spaces. Addressing challenging ground conditions was a noteworthy aspect of the project, with trees scattered across the site and clay soil strata at foundation depth. Following meticulous soil investigations and a thorough review of foundation options, piled foundations were selected to effectively overcome the site constraints. Another intricate facet of the structural design involved realising distinct roof profiles envisioned by the Architects. This distinctive feature posed a complex challenge, necessitating meticulous structural design and detailing to deliver a cost-effective construction solution while remaining true to the Architect's original vision. Another challenging aspect of the project involved the design of surface water management, which was influenced by the presence of clay soil strata and variations in levels across the entire site, including the internal road and parking area. We take great pride in being a part of the team and collaborating with Horizon to successfully deliver this project. We are thrilled to present the final build to you! 

Happy Tuesday! We’re excited to share a fantastic, finished project of ours, Dudbrook Care Home. Horwitz Associates delivered comprehensive Structural and Civil Engineering services for the construction of a new approximately £10 million care facility, spanning two floors and featuring a substantial basement space of around 500m2. Horwitz's involvement extended from the initial scheme design for the primary client through to the production of construction information after being transferred to the main contractor, Horizon Construction. The structure of the care home exhibits a diverse use of construction materials, including reinforced concrete for the basement and ground floor slab, traditional load-bearing masonry with precast plank floors for the two wings, and a customized primary steel frame at the building's center to accommodate the significant spans required for communal spaces. Addressing challenging ground conditions was a noteworthy aspect of the project, with trees scattered across the site and clay soil strata at foundation depth. Following meticulous soil investigations and a thorough review of foundation options, piled foundations were selected to effectively overcome the site constraints. Another intricate facet of the structural design involved realising distinct roof profiles envisioned by the Architects. This distinctive feature posed a complex challenge, necessitating meticulous structural design and detailing to deliver a cost-effective construction solution while remaining true to the Architect's original vision. Another challenging aspect of the project involved the design of surface water management, which was influenced by the presence of clay soil strata and variations in levels across the entire site, including the internal road and parking area. We take great pride in being a part of the team and collaborating with Horizon to successfully deliver this project. We are thrilled to present the final build to you!