No. 10 & 11 Abbey Square opened in Autumn 2020 as a School for Autistic Children. Thomas Consulting were appointed as Structural Engineer on the project working alongside Barron Design (Architect) to realise the brief of the client whilst ensuring conservation of the historic building was maintained wherever possible.

Due to the nature of the project Thomas Consulting were on hand at an early stage in the development providing timely solutions to many challenging aspects of the conversion throughout the project programme.

Historic construction techniques and materials coupled with strict conservation requirements meant that as Structural Engineer Thomas Consulting were required to provide sound structural solutions in a timely fashion to meet the approval of both Architect & Conservation officers whilst maintaining the vision and budget of the client.

Structural engineering problems where plentiful during the conversion, non-more so than the installation of the new steel structure at roof level to support the necessary Air Handling Units.
3000Kg of equipment were required to provide adequate ventilation throughout the school; provision of the galvanized steel framing called for extensive surveying and innovative design to accommodate loading situated on the roof of the building constructed circa 1754.

Close collaboration with the steel fabricator and construction team allowed the frame supports to be installed prior to the main structural frame allowing roof coverings to proceed maintaining the critical path of the programme.

The project as a whole was awarded a Building Excellence Award in 2021, the Best Non-Residential Conversion for Building excellence in the delivery of outstanding construction and workmanship.
With Read Construction, Barron Design Ltd, Abbey School Ltd, Holloway Partnership, Thomas Consulting Ltd, Jones Melling and EDP all being sited on the award.