SD Structures were set the challenge of developing a solution to support the back and side walls of a Victorian terraced property without any internal columns or beams crossing the exposed timber and glass side return infill extension.

The solution was found with a little help from Yoda who is often seen levitating around Covent Garden. Using a similar structural principle, the house is supported on steel beams connected to stiff columns hidden in partitions, which in turn spread the load into the foundations via beams buried in the floor.

A construction sequence was developed in which the beams were pre-deflected to avoid settlement of the brickwork above and minimise the depths of the beams.

Exposed Glulam portal frames supporting glass roof lights were used to form the rear extension.