Austin Reed, London

Working alongside Bancourt Construction as their Structural Consultants, Thomasons were involved in the temporary and permanent works solutions for this project, consisting of the construction of a new atrium and refurbishment of the Austin Reed store in Regent Street.

A key requirement was operating alongside the main design team on a strictly phased programme to ensure the store could still effectively trade during these works.

Work involved the removal of seven storeys of the old masonry party wall to extend the store and altering the main structural frame to house the new lift and atrium area.

One of the main areas of structural interest was the removal of three storeys of intermediate internal columns, whilst supporting the upper 6th and 7th floor plant room to enlarge the atrium space. A large two storey steel truss arrangement spanning 9m was proposed and Thomasons produced the design and details, along with a suggested sequence of works for removal of the columns beneath.