London’s built environment presents one of the most technically challenging contexts for structural engineers anywhere in the UK. With much of the housing stock dating from the Victorian and Edwardian periods, and large areas of post-war housing now reaching obsolescence, structural engineering is the invisible framework supporting the capital’s ongoing residential renewal. From internal alterations to complex basement and loft conversions, the involvement of a structural engineer London developers and homeowners can rely on is now indispensable. The Expanding Scope of Structural Input Structural engineering is no longer confined to end-stage calculations. In London’s dense urban fabric, engineers are engaged from the earliest feasibility stages to test viability, manage risk, and inform planning applications. Even apparently straightforward refurbishments frequently reveal hidden complexity once strip-out begins—irregular load paths, shallow foundations, or aged materials that no longer perform to design assumptions. Removing load-bearing walls remains one of the most common domestic interventions. Open-plan layouts dominate modern living requirements, but determining which structural elements can be altered safely requires detailed assessment. Load-bearing walls transfer the combined weight of floors and roofs above to the foundations; removing them without properly designed temporary works or permanent support can trigger cracking, distortion, or even partial collapse. Beyond wall alterations, engineers underpin the success of loft conversions, rear and side extensions, and basement excavations. Each modification redistributes loads and alters the building’s behaviour. Structural analysis defines how new elements—steel beams, padstones, columns, or reinforced slabs—integrate with the existing frame while maintaining global stability. Regulation and Compliance in the Capital London’s regulatory environment is exceptionally stringent. Every borough applies the Building Regulations through its own control team, often adding conservation or heritage constraints. Structural engineers must demonstrate compliance with BS EN 1992 (Eurocode 2) and related standards, showing how proposed works sustain design loads safely. Incomplete or unverified information can delay approvals, trigger enforcement, or lead to costly remedial works. As CIAT Chartered Architectural Technologists and structural engineers, AC Design Solution operates across this complex landscape, delivering coordinated architectural and structural packages that satisfy Building Control requirements from the outset. With more than 10,000 UK projects completed, the practice integrates compliance, detailing, and constructability to reduce design iterations and site risk. The Party Wall etc. Act 1996 introduces an additional layer of regulation for much of London’s housing. Any work involving shared structures or excavations near boundaries requires formal notices and agreements. Structural engineers collaborate closely with party wall surveyors to align technical design, sequencing, and legal responsibilities, preventing neighbour disputes and ensuring projects progress smoothly. Technical Challenges of Period Construction Historic London properties demand an understanding of 19th- and early-20th-century construction logic. Solid brick walls, shallow footings, and timber joist systems behave very differently from modern cavity or framed structures. Many buildings show evidence of historical movement or past alterations undertaken without engineering oversight. When internal walls are removed or openings enlarged, engineers first map the original load paths and restraint mechanisms. Internal masonry walls often provide lateral stability to façades; their replacement requires portal or box-frame systems to replicate the missing stiffness. Timber decay is another recurrent challenge. Rot and insect damage can significantly reduce the capacity of joists or rafters. Structural engineers assess existing timbers and specify replacement with stress-graded or engineered members as needed. Foundations frequently prove inadequate for new loads. Victorian brick footings, sometimes only half a metre deep, cannot always support additional storeys or heavy steelwork. Targeted ground investigations allow engineers to confirm bearing capacity and, where necessary, design underpinning or reinforced concrete rafts that control settlement. Integrating Modern Engineering Approaches Contemporary practice combines established materials with advanced analytical techniques. Structural steel remains the preferred choice for open-plan designs, offering high strength and minimal section depth. Engineered timber—laminated veneer lumber or glulam—provides sustainable options in suitable applications. Hybrid solutions are common: steel beams supporting timber floors, or composite decks integrating acoustic and thermal layers to meet performance standards. Basement developments represent the most technically demanding category of domestic work in the capital. These require retaining-wall design, waterproofing strategies, and carefully sequenced underpinning to protect neighbouring properties. Engineers assess groundwater, soil type, and adjacent foundation levels before establishing excavation and temporary-works strategies. The margin for error is narrow, making experienced structural input vital to both safety and cost control. Sustainability and energy performance now influence structural detailing as strongly as load capacity. Under Building Regulations Part L, cold bridging through structural elements must be minimised. Engineers coordinate closely with architects to integrate thermal breaks or insulation layers without compromising strength or fire resistance. Cost, Value, and Risk Management While structural engineering typically represents around 10–15 percent of total professional fees on residential projects, its role in reducing risk and optimising value is far greater. Through value engineering, structural specialists rationalise schemes for material efficiency and buildability—selecting standard steel sections, simplifying reinforcement, and sequencing works to minimise programme time and temporary support requirements. Early engagement brings clear benefits. Feasibility advice at concept stage helps define realistic spans, load assumptions, and foundation strategies before costly design development. Proactive collaboration between engineers, architects, and contractors leads to smoother approvals and fewer site variations. Professional oversight also protects clients and investors from liability. Building Control can withhold certification for non-compliant work, while insurers may reject claims arising from unverified structural alterations. Chartered structural engineers carry Professional Indemnity insurance, providing reassurance that design risk is properly managed. Selecting the Right Partner Choosing the right structural engineering partner is critical to project success. Chartered membership of the Institution of Structural Engineers or Institution of Civil Engineers signals proven competence and adherence to professional standards. Local experience adds further value: familiarity with borough-specific regulations, ground conditions, and construction typologies accelerates approvals and ensures pragmatic, buildable solutions.

Data centres drive digital progress – but without clean, resilient energy they could also be its downfall, warns UrbanChain’s Charlie Parry The recent announcement of a £150 billion UK–US ‘Tech Prosperity Deal’ marks a bold step in transatlantic cooperation on AI, digital infrastructure and high-growth industries. But the deal risks overlooking one fundamental fact: technology doesn’t prosper without power. The UK’s data centres currently consume approximately 2.5% of the national electricity supply, a figure comparable to the power needs of the entire city of Birmingham.  Projections from parliamentary analysis indicate a potential quadrupling of this electricity usage to over 22 terawatt-hours annually by 2030. Concurrently, the International Energy Agency has issued a warning that AI-driven workloads could account for more than 20% of the additional electricity demand in developed economies by the close of this decade. Data centres are the backbone of digital growth — but without clean, affordable, and resilient energy, they risk becoming the Achilles’ heel of national competitiveness. The hidden cost of digital growth Many UK data centres still largely depend on fossil fuels. Even those claiming “100% renewable” often rely on separate certificates that have little to do with their actual power consumption. Simultaneously, worsening connection queues and grid constraints pose a problem: FTSE 250 executives recently cautioned that without immediate grid improvements, the UK risks lagging behind countries offering quicker, greener power for data-intensive sectors. From challenge to opportunity Done right, the rise of data centres can accelerate the clean-energy transition. They can support new renewable energy generation, battery storage, and flexibility services by establishing consistent demand, as long as transparent systems are in place to align supply with demand. That’s where UrbanChain comes in. UrbanChain: building the renewable energy operating system Based at Manchester Science Park, UrbanChain has developed a renewable energy operating system that directly matches renewable generators with consumers. Unlike traditional suppliers reliant on wholesale markets or unlinked certificates, UrbanChain creates private energy markets that deliver 24/7 traceable renewable power, competitive pricing and insulation from wholesale volatility. Our platform doesn’t just prove that clean energy can be cost-competitive — it makes it measurable, verifiable and fully traceable in real time. In-focus: powering a major London data centre with 24/7 renewables UrbanChain has just signed a critical deal to supply 40 GWh of renewable power annually to a major Greater London data centre. This is our first data-centre client and a blueprint for how digital infrastructure can decarbonise while enhancing resilience. Through blockchain-based technology, UrbanChain will match the data centre’s demand directly with verified renewable generators, providing transparent, hour-by-hour proof of origin — not paper certificates. This partnership showcases how vital infrastructure, such as data centres, can spearhead decarbonisation efforts. We guarantee that tenants, ranging from financial services to AI innovators, can rely on both the cost and the carbon credentials of their power supply by offering directly traceable renewable energy. We’re demonstrating that traceable renewable energy offers more than just sustainability benefits; it’s also commercially competitive, resilient, and specifically designed for high-growth industries such as data centres. Why this matters for the prosperity deal To succeed, the UK-US prosperity deal needs to move beyond silicon and software, focusing instead on clean energy infrastructure that can sustainably power digital expansion. This involves integrating renewable operating systems, such as UrbanChain’s, into data-centre planning, aligning investment zones with renewable energy generation, and recognising the importance of exporting climate-tech alongside deep-tech. UrbanChain exemplifies how British innovation can achieve both, bridging the energy and digital transitions. A digital future built on clean power The prosperity deal is an economic milestone, but true prosperity depends on more than code, capital, and chips. It depends on energy that is traceable, affordable, and resilient. UrbanChain is ensuring that the UK’s data-driven future runs on clean power — and in doing so, showing exactly the kind of scalable innovation the £150 billion deal was designed to support. Charlie Parry is Chief Development Officer at UrbanChain, the Manchester-based CleanTech company behind the UK’s first renewable energy operating system. With a background in large-scale infrastructure and clean energy innovation, he leads UrbanChain’s partnerships with data centres, utilities, and international investors — helping critical industries transition to traceable, 24/7 renewable power. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

Green energy experts have launched a new guide for the sector showing how solar PV can cut costs, support electrification and strengthen sustainability As rising energy costs combine with growing demand from automation and fleet electrification, UK warehousing and logistics operators are under pressure to accelerate investment in solar PV. This is according to a new guide from nationwide renewable energy installers, Geo Green Power, which outlines how warehouses, distribution centres, and last-mile hubs can respond, utilising rooftop and ground-mounted solar PV to reduce costs, lower emissions, and build resilience in carbon-conscious supply chains. In its research for its guide, ‘Power to Deliver’, the firm has found that the warehousing and logistics sector is one of the UK’s biggest consumers of electricity, with cold storage, automation and always-on operations among the biggest drivers of demand. Rapid electrification has also been found to be adding further pressure to the sector, particularly as the number of electric vans and trucks on UK roads has seen an annual increase of almost a third. Against this backdrop, the guide aims to help warehousing and logistics businesses understand the commercial, operational and environmental benefits of solar PV and take practical, informed steps towards reducing costs, gaining greater resilience and cutting carbon emissions. The guide also explores real-world examples of businesses already benefiting from solar PV, including Revis Transport, which worked with Geo Green Power to install a 500kWp solar system on its premises. Generating more than 372,000kWh of electricity annually, Revis has reduced the carbon impact of its transport operations while improving energy cost control. James Cunningham, Managing Director at Geo Green Power, said: “With grid constraints increasing and electricity prices among the highest in Europe, solar PV is now the logical next step for logistics operators. It’s about more than just saving money; it’s about enabling automation and electrification without energy becoming a strategic risk.” ‘Power to Deliver’also examines funding routes, from self-funded systems with payback in four years to Power Purchase Agreements that require no upfront capital. The guide is now available for download at: https://www.geogreenpower.com/solar-guide-for-commercial-sectors/ Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

By Matt Jarratt, Operations Lead at Procure Plus This October, damp and mould will be impossible to ignore. Damp and Mould Action and Awareness Week (20–26 October 2025) falls just days before Awaab’s Law comes into force on 27 October – a law that sets strict deadlines for tackling damp and mould and puts real weight behind the call for change. Change is underway. Across the sector, we’re seeing landlords take a more proactive approach to damp and mould, establishing specialised teams that respond quickly, carry out in-depth surveys, and put long-term solutions in place. New tools, from targeted treatments to safe monitoring methods, mean residents and operatives aren’t exposed to risk while larger works are planned. Crucially, these teams are trained to go beyond quick fixes, tackling the root causes and securing lasting improvements. At the same time, landlords are increasingly leaning on specialist contractors for more complex works, especially where enhanced ventilation is needed. Through Procure Plus, we’ve already procured around £20 million of works in this area, with contractors working hand-in-hand with ventilation suppliers to design solutions that actually last. An increased focus on tackling damp and mould has also seen Procure Plus facilitate 6,603 ventilation measures and commission 32,470 stock condition surveys in the last year – giving landlords detailed insight into their housing portfolios. This demand is creating jobs and upskilling opportunities for people previously distant from the labour market. Every framework we deliver is designed to maximise social value – from helping people into work and addressing skills shortages, to improving systems and supply chains so clients get the best results from every pound they spend. This is procurement with purpose. The conversation is also shifting to what happens after the repair. More landlords are building in return visits to check if treatment has worked, while others are installing sensors that monitor conditions in real time. That means no more waiting for a problem to return before taking action – landlords can see what’s happening in homes as it happens. The message from Awaab’s Law is clear: act fast, act responsibly, and put tenant safety first. Landlords are listening, and that’s positive. The challenge now is making these proactive approaches business as usual – with the skilled workforce, the right tools, and the frameworks in place to deliver safely, efficiently, and sustainably. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

WindowMaster brings the outdoors-in at the National Gemstone Centre The National Gemstone Centre is a ground-breaking jewellery boutique, exhibition space, and training facility set against the stunning backdrop of Derbyshire’s Carsington Reservoir. A benchmark in environmentally-friendly design, the building is the brainchild of pioneering-jewellers, C.W. Sellors (Sellors), which commissioned the project with a very specific brief. At its core, the centre needed to serve as a model for sustainable specification, wellbeing-centric design and community integration.  Whilst the core objective was to unite its design and manufacturing operations and showcase its most luxurious pieces in a brand-new showroom, and important secondary aim was to maintain harmony between the building’s purpose and its idyllic setting. As a proudly Derbyshire-based business, it was keen to ensure it remained a source of pride for the local community and not detract from its scenic beauty. This meant the project architects, the award-winning Evans Vettori, needed to select the very latest, lowest-impact and energy efficient materials, fittings and finishes. It was felt this would go some way to achieving the brief’s three criteria, and provide staff and visitors alike with maximum comfort throughout the interiors. Yet success could only be guaranteed if this ethos extended beyond structural and decorative elements, to the very services and facilities specified, ensuring every detail aligned with the building’s intended embodiment of nature and community. So, the brief also extended to the services and utilities, particularly the site’s ventilation systems.  Keen to evoke the centre’s unspoiled, rural setting, Sellors wanted to ensure a steady flow of fresh, clean countryside air within the building, bringing the benefits of the surrounding nature indoors. After considering a range of different options, the project team agreed to introduce a natural ventilation system, which could be programmed and automated to allow plenty of fresh air to circulate throughout the centre efficiently. This inevitably led them to WindowMaster, one of the world’s leading natural and mixed-mode ventilation specialists, who joined the project during September 2023, to supply and install a new cutting-edge, low energy natural ventilation control system. With a proven track record on commercial projects including: Space House, London, a modernised, sustainable, Grade II-listed office building and St Mary’s Catholic Voluntary Academy, Derby, the UK’s first Net-Zero carbon biophilic school, Evans Vittori was impressed by WindowMaster’s ability to create healthy, happy, and productive indoor environments. When WindowMaster understood the blended requirements of the space, particularly an incorporated manufacturing facility it realised pureplay NV would not be adequate on its own. Alternatively, it recommended a strategy that combined high-quality components to amplify the naturally cool air of the Derby countryside. This was achieved through six of its market-leading WMX 826-1, 400mm window actuators. Devices that respond to monitoring factors such as CO2, temperature and humidity. By opening and closing windows to within millimetre-perfect precision, it meant the building could facilitate the flow of fresh air in, whilst taking stale air out. Working in conjunction with WindowMaster’s Motorlink® automated technology, users could achieve accurate window precision, without running the risk of over-ventilating or compromising their indoor comfort. This was especially important given the presence of on-site acid and ammonia-based chemicals used by jewellers, making the rapid removal of VOCs (Volatile Organic Compounds) essential for safety. Backed by WindowMaster’s trademark NV Embedded®, a cloud-based decentralised Control System, Sellors were empowered to monitor and control of indoor environments in real time. Synched seamlessly with the National Gemstone Centre’s building management systems (BMS), it delivers optimum indoor air quality (IAQ), room temperature and energy efficiency, all year round. Commenting on the fitout of the natural ventilation system, David Brown, WindowMaster’s Sales Director, said: “With such beautiful surroundings, it was important for this building to capture a sense of nature by involving the surrounding open countryside. Thanks to WindowMaster’s NV Embedded Control system, the building occupants will have controlled clean fresh air, helping them stay alert & comfortable. John Evans, Evans Vettori, the project’s architectural lead says, “To enable control of the high-level clerestory glazing in the central atrium space, the project required fully-automatic actuators to be discretely integrated into the frames. The windowmaster system fulfilled the brief and the motorlink technology enabled a connection to the BMS for synchronised operation and feedback.” To find out more about WindowMaster’s market-leading smoke and ventilation solutions, click here. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

Cities across the country remain full of empty or underused buildings. These aren’t just missed opportunities; they’re failures to meet the pressing social need for more local resources and spaces. Across the UK, retrofitting these properties is becoming a larger priority. Instead of tearing down the past, communities and councils are reimagining it. Architects and developers, backed by digital design tools, are unlocking the social potential of neglected buildings to create new hubs for education, inclusion and public life in areas where they are most needed. From derelict warehouse to community anchor One example is the transformation of a once-derelict warehouse on Great Patrick Street in Belfast. It has been reimagined as a vibrant, purpose-built youth facility serving three community organisations: Include Youth, VOYPIC and Viable Corporate Services. Previously abandoned and in disrepair, the two-storey industrial building was one of the few remaining structures in an area that had been overtaken by student housing developments. Determined to retain its original character while giving it new life, the client secured planning consent to convert the site into a hub for youth support services. But what initially seemed like a straightforward conversion quickly revealed deeper structural and logistical challenges, such as ensuring there was enough natural light entering the building. Natural light was a particular issue because of the long, narrow floor plan. To address this, a triple-height lightwell was introduced at the building’s core. Using Archicad’s sun study feature, the team could understand how daylight would move through the space and assign room uses accordingly. Interior finishes were tested digitally to maximise brightness and create a welcoming atmosphere for young people using the facility. To manage the complexity of the retrofit and meet a tight delivery timeline, Doherty Architects created a detailed 3D model of the existing building using Graphisoft’s Archicad. This allowed the team to work within the irregular geometry of the warehouse and design bespoke interventions that would enhance usability without compromising character. The warehouse now houses a mix of private offices and shared spaces, with flexible layouts that allow the charities to collaborate and adapt the environment to suit changing needs. Acoustic zoning, sensory rooms and dedicated activity areas ensure that the building supports users of all ages and abilities for years to come. A Victorian reservoir becomes a science hub In Nottinghamshire, a long-abandoned Victorian reservoir has been transformed into a planetarium and science discovery centre by architecture practice Anotherkind Architects for the Mansfield and Sutton Astronomical Society (MSAS). The aim was to create a landmark STEM facility to improve educational outcomes in an area with historically low engagement in science, while preserving a unique piece of heritage architecture. MSAS acquired the site in 2014 with the ambition of turning the observatory into a regional education hub. Despite early setbacks, including the original contractor going into administration, the team, backed by Towns Fund and Levelling Up Fund support, took the project through planning, funding and delivery. To help communicate this vision and secure funding, Anotherkind used Graphisoft’s Archicad to develop a fully integrated 3D model of the design. These were shared using virtual reality and BIMx, allowing stakeholders, investors and the public to walk through the proposed space. “It helped people who weren’t familiar with the designs understand the complexity of what we were doing,” explained architect Dan Kilarski-Marlow. The reservoir itself is a 25-metre-diameter underground chamber, seven metres deep, with challenging geometry. Using Archicad’s renovation filters and mesh modelling tools, the team coordinated the complex integration of new and existing elements. Contractors used BIMx onsite to visualise and interact with the design, reducing reliance on printed plans and improving construction accuracy. Reusing the Victorian structure significantly reduced embodied carbon, and all excavated earth was retained and reused on site. The new facility includes a green roof, EV charging points, cycle storage, and infrastructure for future solar panels, combining heritage reuse with sustainable urban design. Since opening in late 2024, the centre has welcomed more than 10,000 visitors, hosted dozens of school groups, and created learning opportunities through a volunteer-run café operated in partnership with a local college. In total, the project has delivered more than £2.9 million in quantified social value, with the majority of spend and labour sourced from within the region. Unlocking civic value through reuse These projects show how intelligent reuse of our existing buildings can drive inclusive regeneration. Both buildings were initially seen as liabilities, structurally awkward, financially uncertain and spatially complex. But with the right mix of community commitment and digital collaboration, they became platforms for shared social, educational and cultural value. This is not just about architecture, it’s about equity. Thousands of similar buildings across the UK are unused, ignored or awaiting demolition, while people struggle to access basic services and social infrastructure. Local authorities and developers must take stock of these assets. A full audit of estates, supported by digital design and retrofit strategies, could help address community requirements without the need for new land or heavy infrastructure. Learn more about Graphisoft’s architectural software on the website https://www.graphisoft.com/uk/ Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

With the unprecedented rise in cloud-computing and AI, the need for data centers and supercomputers is booming. This astronomical output of artificial brain activity demands enormous amounts of power that quickly convert to heat as these mega-computers process billions of “thoughts” per second. The natural consequence is the proliferation of giant cooling towers alongside new data centers, with backup chillers kicking in for hot summer months and going idle during cold weather. Whatever the season, taking proactive steps to fight corrosion is critical to maintaining a healthy system long-term. Cortec® Corporation shares insights on why and how to win the battle. The Problem with Corrosion in Cooling Water Systems Preventing corrosion in data center cooling water systems isn’t just for looks. Corrosion weakens the metal walls of piping and equipment, creating holes over time, shortening the service life of the cooling system, and increasing downtime for repairs—not to mention the potential for water damage from leaks. In addition, corrosion debris threatens to clog the system or “poison” the water by raising the levels of iron or other metals in the chemistry profile. By avoiding these problems, corrosion prevention can ultimately save significant time, expense, and the headaches that go with them. Corrosion Protection During Operation Although corrosion inhibitors are a standard part of water treatment programs for active chillers or cooling towers, they are sometimes overlooked due to a lack of communication or awareness. If facilities find that a corrosion inhibitor is missing, they can add M-640 L or a similar additive. This “building block” for water treatment formulations offers comprehensive protection thanks to the presence of both contact and Vapor phase Corrosion Inhibitors, which protect metals below and above the water level. It is also an excellent replacement for silicates, phosphates, and nitrite-based compounds where disposal restrictions apply. Corrosion Protection During Seasonal Layup Whereas the use of a corrosion inhibitor during operation is the normal practice, preservation of chillers or cooling tower systems that sit idle during cool weather is less widespread than it should be. With their normal water treatment program inactive, these components are also at higher risk of corrosion from residual moisture or condensation as temperatures and humidity fluctuate. Where temperatures stay above freezing, data centers may prefer to keep chillers on standby via wet layup with Cortec’s VpCI®-649, a robust corrosion inhibitor package for wet or dry layup. If freezing is a concern, water treatment professionals can drain the water after applying VpCI®-649, or they can apply the Cooling Tower Frog® to an empty chiller. Both treatments include Vapor phase Corrosion Inhibitors that diffuse throughout the void space and form a protective molecular layer on metal surfaces as long as the system remains closed. When temperatures climb high enough to warrant a return to service, the cooling water systems can easily be restarted without having to remove the product first, all while avoiding complications from corrosion during layup. Stay Cool and Fight Corrosion With cloud-computing and AI only promising to get bigger and place more and more cooling towers and chillers on the horizon, now is the time to equip data center managers and water treatment service providers with the tools and knowledge they need to minimize corrosion headaches and help data centers “keep their cool” when it comes to corrosion. Contact Cortec® for further guidance on winning the war on corrosion during the next season of cooling water system operation or layup. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals