22. Construction Method

Question 1

Case study Industrial unit

Wallis Road, Hackney

Answer 1

• Traditional masonry (brick and block) construction, typical of former industrial buildings
• Load-bearing walls with no visible structural frame
• Pitched roof, consistent with older industrial design
• Brick-clad exterior with minimal windows and doors, indicating a basic, functional build

Question 2

Case Study Co Living Development

Answer 2

• Substructure/ Foundations: Piled foundations with reinforced concrete retaining walls.
• Frame: Reinforced concrete frame with two column types
• Upper floors: Reinforced concrete slabs
• Flat roof with specialist falls arrest system
• Bespoke staircase
• Brick slip system external walls
• Bathroom pods (prefab)
• Fire rated doors, finishes

Question 3

New Industrial Unit

Great Blakenham, Ipswich

Answer 3

Steel portal frame with insulted profiled steel cladding walls and roof

Question 4

Retail Unit

Cosham

Answer 4

• Concrete floor, with laminate flooring
• suspended ceiling
• basic finishes
• utilities installed but capped off
• no large columns - flexible
• 1980s build
• Professional survey done but best judgement is that it is a Traditional masonry (brick and block) construction.

Question 5

Witney Care Home
Modern purpose-built care home

Answer 5

• Strip foundations
• Masonry cavity walls with reconstructed stone or coloured render façade
• Two storey masonry structure
• Precast concrete plank floors
• Timber trussed roof
• Gas and electric supply
• Mechanical ventilation

Question 6

Great Haddon

Answer 6

• Traditional masonry: brick & block cavity walls
• Strip foundation
• Precast concrete floors (ground & upper)
• Pitched trussed roof with concrete tiles
• UPVC windows and doors
• Timber stud internal partitions with plasterboard
• Gas boiler central heating (standard spec)
• No floor finishes — concrete left exposed (affordable spec)
• White emulsion walls, basic doors & ironmongery
• Standard, durable kitchen and bathroom fit out

Question 7

Typical residential block

Wilmer Place
Brighton Co Living
Project Bluebell
Basildon
New Malden

Answer 7

• Substructure/ Foundations: Pad foundations with reinforced concrete retaining walls.
• Frame: Reinforced concrete frame
• Flat roof

Question 8

Typical residential house

Project Bluebell
Landkey
Compton
Stapleford

Answer 8

• Traditional masonry: brick & block cavity walls
• Precast concrete floors (ground & upper)
• Pitched trussed roof with concrete tiles

Question 9

Integrated Retirement Community

Strawberry Fields, Stapleford

Answer 9

The buildings are generally:
* Traditional construction (brick and block)
* Strip foundations
* External cavity walls
* Concrete upper floors
* Timber pitched roofs with slates.

Main facility:
* Pad foundation
* Concrete frame
* ASHP
* Solar panels

Built in three phases, the first phase of the scheme was completed in 2024.
147 units including 18 bungalows

Question 10

Belgravia Care Home

Answer 10

Construction & Design
* Pad foundation
* Basement + 6 storey
* Concrete frame
* Mansard zinc-clad roof
* J-curved glazing
* Cut and bonded bricks
* Former petrol station
* ASHP / PV Panels / All Electric / BREEAM Excellent