Re-development of hospital building, Lancaster, into new apartments.

Architect – Paul Baines

Engineer – Carley Daines & Partners

The former hospital building at Standen Gate, Lancaster, was constructed of solid stone walls in the middle of the 19th Century.

A planning proposal to convert the building into residential apartments was approved by Lancaster City Council. This involved the addition of extra floors over much of the area of the building, resulting in increased loading.

An additional complicating factor was extremely poor ground conditions consisting of a thick layer of peat within the top three metres of the site. The existing building already displayed evidence of structural movement, and a decision was taken to underpin all main load bearing walls to the existing structure to prevent further movement, particularly in view of the increased loadings from the additional floors.

An engineering solution was adopted whereby piles would be installed, taken through the peat into firm underlying strata throughout the building, and the existing structure would be connected to the piles using a heavy duty reinforced concrete slab.

This was considered to be an economical solution and gave new life to an existing building that may have otherwise required demolition, thus satisfying the planner's requirements.