WHL SURVEYING & ENGINEERING CASE STUDY
Structural Appraisal for Residential Apartment Building
WHL Surveying & Engineering was commissioned to undertake a comprehensive visual structural appraisal of Ellerton House, a seven-storey residential apartment building at 11 Bryanston Square, London, to support the Building Safety Case required under the Building Safety Act 2022.
Scope of Work
The commission included a visual inspection of all accessible structural elements, a desktop review of available structural, planning and fire safety documentation, and an assessment of the building’s structural stability, construction methods, durability and long-term performance. The appraisal considered the steel frame, reinforced concrete cores, prestressed concrete floor slabs, foundations, external walls, roof structure, balconies and fire-resisting structural elements, together with recommendations to support ongoing structural management and regulatory compliance.
Findings
The appraisal concluded that Ellerton House remains structurally stable, with no evidence of significant structural movement, foundation distress or instability affecting the primary structural frame. The building, reconstructed in 1999 behind its retained Grade II listed Georgian façade, comprises a modern steel frame with prestressed concrete floor slabs and reinforced concrete stair and lift cores providing a robust structural system. The inspection identified no significant structural defects but noted several areas where further verification is required due to the absence of original structural drawings. These include confirmation of foundation type, concealed structural connections, passive fire protection to steel members, roof construction and the integrity of service penetrations through structural elements. The report also highlighted the need to monitor water ingress around balconies, roof coverings and façade interfaces to minimise long-term durability risks and ensure continued structural performance.
Recommendations
WHL Surveying & Engineering recommended targeted intrusive investigations to verify concealed structural elements, reinforcement details, passive fire protection, structural connections, balcony fixings and the roof construction. The report also advised obtaining original structural drawings and Building Control records where possible, carrying out a drone survey of the roof, implementing periodic inspections of the structural frame, balconies and external envelope, and maintaining robust inspection and maintenance programmes to manage moisture ingress, corrosion risks and long-term durability. These measures will provide additional assurance of the building’s structural integrity and support continued compliance with the Building Safety Act 2022.
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