This 10-storey ‘concrete shell’ residential block consists of 85 apartments of combined floor area of 7,613 sq.m a the large mixed-use development in Beacon South Quarter in Sandyford. The Apartment Block, B2A, was constructed as a shell as part of the main Beacon South Quarter project from 2005 to 2009 but never got finished due to the economic downturn. It had the majority of its structural shell, including prefabricated bathroom pods completed in 2009, where it remained idle until 2012.

The shell consisted of a 10-storey precast and concrete frame located over live retail and pedestrian areas. The project involved value engineering and rationalisation of the previously approved scheme.

Initially PUNCH was appointed as PSDP and had to carry out a preliminary Health and Safety Plan. Based on this assessment additional health and safety measures had to be installed to allow safe access of the structure to carryout inspections. Due to the building being exposed since 2008, there was a significant issue with pigeon excrement within the structure. PUNCH procured and inspected the installation of the safety measures and decontamination of the pigeon excrement.

Once the structure was accessible for inspection, PUNCH carried out a detail dilapidation survey of the structure. Based on this survey PUNCH were able to specify the required testing of the concrete structure (e.g. carbonation test) and exposed steel elements. The surveys also identify the areas where the concrete structure needed remedial works to reinstated structural integrity and durability requirements. A structural assessment was also required to ensure modification to the existing concrete frame did not affect the structural integrity of the building. A CCTV was also carried out to assess the condition of the storm and foul drainage.

In addition to structural assessment and retrofitting works to the original frame, an additional 10 storey apartment block to one side of the concrete frame and new 10 storey infill apartment block was required. These were an entirely new build and the proposed structural solution had to take into account the development being located over live retail and pedestrian areas and impacted on fire tender routes.