About the Project

Chelsea and Westminster ICU and NICU Expansion, London

For Colin McCullogh, challenge is little more than opportunity in the making. In driving risk out of this refurbishment and new-build scheme, he harvested considerable reward for the client. 

The great gain came from his redesign of the proposed structural frame for an extension rising from the fifth floor. Concluding that the planned system would lead to excessive loading on the existing structure, Colin changed to lightweight steel for the frame. Built off site, it derisked the build, shrank the timetable and allowed the client to spend £50,000 more on fit-out.  

Colin’s introduction of internal bracing to the existing atrium columns also transferred the extension’s load away from the foundations, eliminating the need for basement strengthening works. It saved the client more time and money, and reduced disruption to hospital users. 

His review of the structural information for the existing upper-floor slabs also made clear that they were lightweight elements and unable to support the proposed use of spider cranes for the works. Colin’s introduction of a second tower crane instead for the structural steel installation solved the problem. 

Other challenges converted into opportunities included his realisation that the proposed floor-plate divides suited clinical operations and movements but failed to consider the new services installation. By changing the work areas to address this, Colin minimised the disruption caused by the works.