Ham Yard, UK.

This new 90 room boutique hotel with 10 high specification private residencies will become the new ‘Jewel in the crown’ within Firmdale Hotels portfolio. 

The structure comprises of a 10m deep (2 storey) basement (covering 0.7acre) formed from 600ø secant piled wall and a raft basement slab with settlement reducing piles and 5,6 and 7 stories of super-structure in reinforced concrete. 

The basement is also home to a 120-seat theatre with 12.5m clear spans with a tiered curved balcony, hypoxic gym and spa centre. 

DDA Engineers were appointed due to their ability to work closely with Architects, Clients and Contractors, balancing all of their requirements costs, aesthetics and buildability. In addition to our proven track record of delivering large and complex projects. 

Firmdale also commissioned DDA to design and detail the tensile fabric canopy on the 4^th floor roof of Ham Yard Hotel.

Covering approximately 130sqm of space, the canopy is formed from a Tenara membrane, supported by glulam posts and steel arches to form a flowing barrel vault shape floating above the comfortable seated area.

Located on the 4th floor of the hotel, installation of the tensile fabric canopy was a challenge! The steel and glulam structural columns and arches were craned up to roof level whilst all other elements had to be designed to limited lengths and weights to allow them to be carried by hand to the terrace site. Now fully installed and open to guests of the hotel, the terrace offers an all-weather leafy garden with sweeping views over the London skyline.

Canopy images courtesy of Architen Landrell