The mezzanine is suspended from one corner of the timber balustrade which acts as a very thin deep beam

Project Status

Phase I completed 2006

Client

Private

Structural Engineer

Webb Yates Engineers

Contractor

Gavin Contractors

Photography

Peter Cook

Awards

AJ Small Projects 2007: Shortlisted
Wood Awards 2006: Winner – Small Project

The complete refurbishment of a double height live/work studio and incorporation of a new mezzanine in a former Methodist church in north London.

The plywood balustrade to the mezzanine is solid to give privacy to the sleeping space and it also provides the primary support for the mezzanine structure in the form of a very thin deep beam which is suspended from the existing roof  structure above which is strengthened with additional timbers to take the new loads. This is formed from three layers of 12mm birch faced plywood laminated together. The middle layer is offset by half its length effectively forming a huge mortice and tenon joint.

Access to the mezzanine is via a steel folded plate staircase which only touches it once at the extreme end of one of its handrails. The staircase is untreated mild steel and the intention is that it will gently oxidise over time.

 

The project was extended in 2016 under a new phase of works.