BUILD Construction & Engineering Awards 2020 68 s a design-led practice, it is Croft’s mission to develop tailored buildings in order to create the best possible living environment. Based in London, the team have developed its services to meet demand and deal with changes in the economic climate over the years. To begin with, Chis provides us with a brief overview of the firm and offers more insight into its typical clientele. “As a leading structural engineering consultancy, we get to work with the best construction professionals in the business. These amazing collaborations have resulted in us been involved on a number of award-winning projects, including this year’s 2020 Don’t Move Improve Awards, where the renovation of a Victorian terraced property we worked on won ‘The Compact Design of the Year Award. As our projects have captured the imagination of the population, we were also voted the most popular in 2019 and 2020 by the HOUZZ Community, an online community showcasing design and home improvements. “Naturally, our services include new build, renovation, and refurbishment (experts in historic period properties), commercial, temporary works, basements, basement impact assessments and construction method statements (required by most London Boroughs), site surveys and investigation works.” When undertaking a new client, communication is the key to the success of any new project as Chis goes on to explain. “Communication is at the heart of our approach and from the outset of each project we listen, challenge and explore the requirements of our client. Being open and honest with our clients, employees, and fellow consultants means we build mutual trust and respect in our relationships, which we are continuing to see the benefit from. “Currently, we are involved in the development of new build houses in the heart of Notting Hill. Having been involved in the development from 2015, we contributed to the planning documentation for the Basement Impact Assessment and RIBA stage 2 designs. “The project has a large basement 25x15m and 6m deep located against an elevated section of a London Underground Best Structural Engineering Consultancy 2020 - London Founded in 2004, Croft Structural Engineers Ltd is a vibrant, growing practice of young professional Structural Engineers whose principle, it is to improve the ‘built’ environment. Following their success in the Construction & Engineering Awards 2020, we got in touch with Chis Tomlin to find out more. A Sep20906 station. The design team is currently in talks with LUL and our geotechnical engineer on the construction. In due course, we are confident that an agreement will be reached.” The team on the project is led by a technical director who is a chartered civil engineer. Under his guidance, there is a team of four engineers providing the technical support needed on a project of this complexity, with a specialist drainage engineer complimenting the team. The final piece to the puzzle is an external consultant geotechnical engineer whom we are working closely with.” Exploiting the opportunities which some rivals have chosen to avoid has been the key to remaining one step ahead of its closest competitors, as Chis explains further. “The team’s ability to see beyond simple solutions by working with and understanding our clients and their customers has been a key factor behind us leading the way in structural engineering. Unlike other structural engineers we offer services in temporary works designs. Many engineers avoid this because the level of work required for the temporary works is typically more than the amount needed for the permanent structures. Having developed our engineers to be specialists in this field, this has enabled the company to provide a more holistic service by combining the permanent and temporary works design in one service.” Despite the recent outbreak of COVID-19, there are reasons for Croft Structural Engineers to be positive as we look ahead to the future. As Chis points out, the firm’s operations have not been affected too much with many people able to work from home. “In spite of the pandemic, the sector is buoyant and the workload we are receiving is encouraging. Due to a lack of office space our practice had been restricted, however with our current setup we are now looking to grow the practice with home working and hot desking, aiming to double the number of staff.” Company: Croft Structural Engineers Ltd Contact: Chis Tomlin Web Address: www.croftse.co.uk
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