Located within Teesside University (TU), the existing business school building was proposed to be refurbished to enhance the use of space as well as to update its current look.
The northern entrance extension was proposed to be added as part of the works to provide an atrium-like lobby and entrance.
The footprint of the new north entrance extension was congested with services for the Business School and the wider site. As the diversion of these services would greatly affect the timeline and activities within the university, an innovative shallow piled slab using the smallest sectional flight auger (SFA) piles possible was designed to incorporate the existing services on site.
Finite element analysis of the foundation slab was carried out with irregular pile positions located carefully on-site to avoid existing services using pilot holes. A collaborative working approach between the ground worker, piling contractor, main contractor and Fairhurst was taken during the construction stage.
