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ARCHIVE 2017
London, United Kingdom
Project Details
Status: Completed
Date of completion: 2017
Construction cost: £5.6 million
Size: 1.800m2
Type: Historic building, Renovation, Government
Project Description
In 2014, the federal state of Baden-Württemberg was commissioned to renovate the Residence‘s interior. Cracks were found on almost all of the building‘s ceilings. Structural investigations showed these were not safe, so ceilings were quickly taken down in two rooms as a safety precaution.
A large number of ceilings were made of heavy plaster reinforced with metal lath. This ceiling type was known to collapse due to insufficient fixing onto the ceiling joists, and identified as in need of replacement. This also presented an opportunity to update fire-protection in line with modern standards. Safety measures stabilised the ceilings in 2014, preceding the renovation of the grand state rooms, which took place from October 2015 to September 2016.
Heavy plaster and metal-lath ceilings were replaced with acoustic plasterboard, plaster cornices. Ceiling mouldings were replaced and parquet floors renovated. Trench heaters replaced ceiling heating panels, and upgraded mechanical and electrical infrastructure includes new LED lighting, AV and data.
Existing Georgian wired glass panels over the main stair were in poor condition and replaced in 2016. New glazing allows more natural light to wash into the space, reflecting new gold leaf applied to balustrades and cornices. The facade works brought to light an urgent need to renovate the interior of the Residence.
Project team
Client: German Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Architect: ÜberRaum Architects, London, UK
Structural Engineer: The Morton Partnership, London, UK
Heritage Consultant: Historic England, London, UK
Quantity Surveyor: Gardiner + Theobald, London, UK
M&E Consultant: Martin Thomas Associates, West Wellow, UK
Contact: Daniela Seifermann, Director
+44 (0) 73591793
