The opportunity

To refurbish and extend The Guildhall. At the same time, create additional opulent space for local government offices and to host many civil or state banquets, meetings and receptions.

The operation

The most spectacular part of the building is the feature lift. The truss shown in the picture sits on top of the new atrium containing the new feature lift.

The lift was delivered in six separate modules. The forty-metre truss, which was delivered in three sections, was supported on columns at its ends and by the lift steel in the centre. Temporary steelwork had to be put in place to allow the truss to be welded together in-situ. We had to stabilise the existing building during demolition and reconstruction by the use of temporary bracings.

New permanent steelwork was then inserted into the central core to enable the building to take the weight of the additional two storeys. Balconies were built out from the north side of the building facing the courtyard.

The result

All this work was done with the greatest of care and sensitivity in order to retain the original façade and maintain sympathy with the character of the building.