Miller Street

Glasgow

DESCRIPTION:

This project involved the refurbishment and extension of an existing 17th century building in Glasgow’s Merchant City.

The refurbishment on Miller Street involved structural alterations to the existing building and a new steel frames extension to the rear. The existing building now accommodates retail units on the ground floor and flats on the upper levels. The new steel structure to the rear has become a restaurant.

New steel frames were introduced to the existing building to facilitate removal of large lengths of wall forming open retail space at ground floor level. A new stair tower was constructed to provide access to the residential units above. The new foundations and steel structure to the rear was constructed within an old basement footprint.

INVOLVEMENT:

Struer were appointed as civil and structural consultants from the outset and were responsible for delivering drawings and specifications to the successful managing contractor. Struers’ service continued through the construction stage to Practical Completion.

CHALLENGES:

The main challenge with this project was the requirement to assess the condition of the very old stone structures. No archive information was available and therefore destructive investigations were necessary to confirm wall types and thickness.

In particular, the old basement structure to the rear had to be closely examined. As the ground conditions were fine sand, new openings in the old wall had to be carefully considered and needed the contractors input in relation to temporary works.

New load onto the existing structure was kept to an absolute minimum and existing stability needed to be maintained.