past projects

 

As the former Head Office of Clerical Medical, this Grade I Listed building has recently undergone a dramatic restoration and refurbishment scheme and LTS were contracted to convert the building into a three bedroom, 16,500 sq ft private residence.

Built in 1766, this imposing Stewart built Georgian spectacle was once the only stone-facade property on St James Square. Much of Stewarts work has since been superseded by Wyatt, namely the rear elevation and re-modelling of the first floor stairwell; however the impressive Stewart ceilings that feature throughout the first and parts of the ground floor still remain.

Originally designed for residential use but since occupied by companies, this building did not have a fully functioning mechanical system. Implementing electrical and mechanical runs in a Grade I Listed building poses many challenges, especially when the majority of the ceilings in the rooms are also Listed. Redundant chimney stacks now house the majority of the runs, and the property benefits from a fully integrated audio visual system, under floor heating and air conditioning throughout 80% of the building.

All the Listed ceilings and domes were dutifully restored under supervision of English Heritage. Where appropriate, ceilings were restored to their former gilded glory with bright gold tones, especially featured in Guest Bedroom 1 on the 1st floor. The restoration of the dining and drawing room ceiling required a little more subtlety for fear of losing the prominence of the murals.

Structural alterations took place on the lower ground floor with the reconfiguration of the vaults and the lowering of the lower ground floor central slab to accommodate the swimming pool. LTS also excavated a basement floor on 25% of the buildings foot print, designed to house the mechanical plant for the entire building. The reconfiguration of the vaults was required to facilitate the spa design which now houses a series of massage baths, jacuzzis, saunas, steam rooms and emotional showers. Large amounts of steel were embedded in the newly built lower ground floor ceiling which has been designed to offer structural support to the right flank of the East India Club at No 17 St James Sq. Significant underpinning took place to lower the slab for the swimming pool which is now decoratively lined with gold mosaic tiles which provide a powerful contrast against the white marble floor.

Steel beams were required in the master bedroom suite and the new wall between the master bathroom and bedroom now houses a beam that runs from the front elevation to the central spine wall. A series of hangers pick up suspended beams embedded in the floor. The steel beam supports the weight of the marble in the master bathroom, rather than laying it to rest on the joists that sit above the priceless Grade I Listed ceiling of the drawing room below.

The structural, mechanical and electrical design was undertaken by LTS as part of The Design and Build Portion of the contract.