The Mary Ward Settlement - a century old charity - offers adult education, legal advice, and community services. Operating from a Grade II listed building in Queen Square, London, they required larger premises due to their expanding services.
They identified Queensway House, now Mary Ward Centre - a derelict 1970s concrete framed building in Stratford - as a potential new home. Queensway House offered approximately 60% of the space required, so it was clear that extending and refurbishing would be necessary.
Mary Ward secured a grant from the Skills for Londoners Capital Fund for the building’s refurbishment. As environmental benefits are important when applying, the funding was dependent upon the reuse of the existing concrete frame. There were also potential cost and programme benefits to the client depending on the extent of the structure that could be reused.
A prior engineering study deemed a full refurbishment of the property would be commercially unviable and that a demolition and new build approach was required. Given the funding structure and cost estimate for a new build solution, this put the viability of the project at significant risk.
Given our experience in similarly complex refurbishment projects, we were approached to complete an independent review to better understand whether retention could be achieved commercially. A robust and systematic approach was needed to verify the capacity and suitability of the existing frame, reviewed against the design proposals. Subsequently, SD Engineers was appointed to provide full structural and civil design services.
The 1970s building underwent a full refurbishment and was extended from four to six-storeys. Mary Ward Centre now provides workspace for their Legal Centre, flexible teaching areas, a café, multi-functioning performing arts theatre, and community spaces.
The two-storey lightweight extension was added at roof level and houses the performing arts/dance studio, and workspace for the Legal Centre. The original concrete was strengthened with steel throughout to cater for the additional loads created by the extra storeys. Although the loads across the footprint of the building were increased, the majority of foundations remained untouched with only minimal interventions to two existing foundations.
A detailed carbon assessment for the structural works calculated our design had a 40% reduction in embodied carbon when compared to a demolition and new build approach.
Mary Ward Centre opened its doors to students and clients in September 2023, marking a significant milestone in its transformation and its ability to provide additional services for a worthy cause.
“The engineers played a fundamental role in giving the client and stakeholders the confidence to strengthen and reuse the existing building rather than demolish. Their diligent and determined approach demonstrated a viable future for the existing structure. The project is a substantial retrofit and vertical extension which doubled the building size, achieving a complete transformation with significant carbon savings. The before and after transformation is remarkable."
To be shortlisted, one out of 30, alongside internationally renowned practices like Arup was a huge moment for us. And then to win this award! It’s the highest accolade bestowed upon structural engineering practices.
Delivering buildings and spaces that people enjoy using is the ultimate goal for designers. Winning awards is the icing on the cake. Awards aren’t everything, but for an SME like ours, they mean a great deal. They highlight and promote excellence, showcase expertise, boost brand awareness, and build credibility.
We’re celebrating 10 years of SD Engineers in November and so that plus winning a Structural Award are incredible milestones for us, and we couldn’t be prouder.
We are a practice of imaginative structural and civil engineers collaborating with some of the country’s most ambitious architects and clients to deliver the highest quality spaces. Our team, nearly 30 exceptional individuals, is our greatest asset – we pride ourselves on being friendly, creative and hard-working, collaborating closely with each other and the wider teams to achieve success.
We like to be challenged by interesting designs by our clients. We respond with well-reasoned solutions to bring out the best in the design and build processes. We have built a strong reputation for being experts in retrofit and extension work with a demonstrated ability to deliver efficient and buildable solutions to complex challenges.
“We just couldn’t be more proud! Huge congratulations for your amazing work on what is a monumental marker in our history. We are growing into our space very nicely and you have made a big contribution to the community anchor, the friendly place to learn and a beacon of light for many in a world that feels very tough right now. Thank you from everyone at Mary Ward Adult Education and Mary Ward Legal Centre for your work.”
Therese Reinheimer-Jones, Warden of Mary Ward Settlement Group