Bank Buildings
Location: Belfast
Client: Bennett
Start Date: August 2018
End Date: End of 2019 – Façade retention scheme remained in place until 2021
Location: Belfast
Client: Bennett
Start Date: August 2018
End Date: End of 2019 – Façade retention scheme remained in place until 2021
CapabilitiesCapabilities
- Buildings
- Adaptive Re-use
- Cut and Carve
- Structural Engineering
- Geotechnics
- Temporary Works
- Social Value and Sustainability
- Buildings
- Adaptive Re-use
- Cut and Carve
- Structural Engineering
- Geotechnics
- Temporary Works
- Social Value and Sustainability
SummarySummary
Bank Buildings is a prominent structure in the heart of Belfast. It is one of the earliest iron-framed buildings in Ireland, constructed around 1895–1900.
The original structure consisted of cast iron columns, wrought-iron beams, and timber floors, with a perimeter wall of brick and stone facings. The side elevation onto Bank Street was damaged by a bomb in the 1970’s, prompting some rebuilding with a partial steel frame in the north-west part of the building.
Further refurbishment was underway in 2018 when a fire largely destroyed the internal structure.
The timber floors and existing frame in the centre of the front part of the building collapsed, leaving the walls free-standing and unrestrained. The rebuilt frame at the rear of the building remained largely standing but was severely damaged by the fire.
The original structure consisted of cast iron columns, wrought-iron beams, and timber floors, with a perimeter wall of brick and stone facings. The side elevation onto Bank Street was damaged by a bomb in the 1970’s, prompting some rebuilding with a partial steel frame in the north-west part of the building.
Further refurbishment was underway in 2018 when a fire largely destroyed the internal structure.
The timber floors and existing frame in the centre of the front part of the building collapsed, leaving the walls free-standing and unrestrained. The rebuilt frame at the rear of the building remained largely standing but was severely damaged by the fire.
Bank Buildings is a prominent structure in the heart of Belfast. It is one of the earliest iron-framed buildings in Ireland, constructed around 1895–1900.
The original structure consisted of cast iron columns, wrought-iron beams, and timber floors, with a perimeter wall of brick and stone facings. The side elevation onto Bank Street was damaged by a bomb in the 1970’s, prompting some rebuilding with a partial steel frame in the north-west part of the building.
Further refurbishment was underway in 2018 when a fire largely destroyed the internal structure.
The timber floors and existing frame in the centre of the front part of the building collapsed, leaving the walls free-standing and unrestrained. The rebuilt frame at the rear of the building remained largely standing but was severely damaged by the fire.
The original structure consisted of cast iron columns, wrought-iron beams, and timber floors, with a perimeter wall of brick and stone facings. The side elevation onto Bank Street was damaged by a bomb in the 1970’s, prompting some rebuilding with a partial steel frame in the north-west part of the building.
Further refurbishment was underway in 2018 when a fire largely destroyed the internal structure.
The timber floors and existing frame in the centre of the front part of the building collapsed, leaving the walls free-standing and unrestrained. The rebuilt frame at the rear of the building remained largely standing but was severely damaged by the fire.
Delivering valueDelivering value
Wentworth played a key role in the subsequent emergency response, collaborating closely with the client and other stakeholders to stabilise the structure, ensure public safety, and enable the future restoration of this iconic building.
We successfully stabilised the building, enabling the surrounding area to reopen. This accomplishment highlights our expertise in delivering complex and challenging engineering solutions, while prioritising the preservation of historic structures and ensuring public safety. It also showcases our commitment to collaboration, as we worked closely with our clients to overcome even the most demanding obstacles.
We successfully stabilised the building, enabling the surrounding area to reopen. This accomplishment highlights our expertise in delivering complex and challenging engineering solutions, while prioritising the preservation of historic structures and ensuring public safety. It also showcases our commitment to collaboration, as we worked closely with our clients to overcome even the most demanding obstacles.
Wentworth played a key role in the subsequent emergency response, collaborating closely with the client and other stakeholders to stabilise the structure, ensure public safety, and enable the future restoration of this iconic building.
We successfully stabilised the building, enabling the surrounding area to reopen. This accomplishment highlights our expertise in delivering complex and challenging engineering solutions, while prioritising the preservation of historic structures and ensuring public safety. It also showcases our commitment to collaboration, as we worked closely with our clients to overcome even the most demanding obstacles.
We successfully stabilised the building, enabling the surrounding area to reopen. This accomplishment highlights our expertise in delivering complex and challenging engineering solutions, while prioritising the preservation of historic structures and ensuring public safety. It also showcases our commitment to collaboration, as we worked closely with our clients to overcome even the most demanding obstacles.
AwardsAwards
BCIA award for temporary works
Key Challenges and SolutionsKey Challenges and Solutions
The project presented numerous challenges, including limited access to the interior of the building, poor ground conditions, and the need to work within a busy urban environment. To overcome these obstacles, we employed innovative design and engineering solutions:
- Developed a 3D model of the building: this enabled us to conduct detailed analysis and design of the stabilisation and restoration works.
- Installed a protective cordon: our team constructed a robust system of ballasted shipping containers and protective netting to safeguard the public and workers. The design of this used novel discrete element modelling techniques.
- Developed a novel façade retention system: we devised a system utilising ballasted shipping containers and modular trusses to support the façade from the exterior. The design of this was supported by a wind tunnel model.
- Constructed shallow foundations, using fibre reinforced concrete to avoid having to fix rebar adjacent to the damaged structure. The interaction of these with the structure and buried services in the soft ground was a key part of the design.
The project presented numerous challenges, including limited access to the interior of the building, poor ground conditions, and the need to work within a busy urban environment. To overcome these obstacles, we employed innovative design and engineering solutions:
- Developed a 3D model of the building: this enabled us to conduct detailed analysis and design of the stabilisation and restoration works.
- Installed a protective cordon: our team constructed a robust system of ballasted shipping containers and protective netting to safeguard the public and workers. The design of this used novel discrete element modelling techniques.
- Developed a novel façade retention system: we devised a system utilising ballasted shipping containers and modular trusses to support the façade from the exterior. The design of this was supported by a wind tunnel model.
- Constructed shallow foundations, using fibre reinforced concrete to avoid having to fix rebar adjacent to the damaged structure. The interaction of these with the structure and buried services in the soft ground was a key part of the design.