The challenge

The alterations meant taking out structure that was holding up a second storey.

• Temporarily propping the existing second storey while the structure below was demolished
• Installing large structural steel beams to take over the load
• Staging the works so an occupied home stayed functional and safe
• Building new retaining walls as part of the extension and landscaping

The build

Props in, structure out, steel in, props out. That order is fixed, because at no point can the floor above be left without support.

The props stayed in until the new steel beams were installed and taking the full load of the second storey. Only then could they come out.

With the owners still at home, each stage was planned around keeping the house liveable while the next part of the work was underway.

Outside, new retaining walls and landscaping finished the job.

The result

The owners gained the extra space and renovated interior they wanted, with the existing second storey now carried by the new steel structure below.

They never had to move out to get it.