Existing Condition
The first design document is the existing building itself. Dimensions, levels, surfaces, relationships with structural elements, access conditions, and operational constraints are all assessed before work begins.
06 / EXPERTISE
Renovation & Refurbishment
We rebuild by first understanding what already exists.
Management of refurbishment from the analysis of existing building conditions, through controlled demolition, rebuilding, systems integration, and handover.
Renovation is different from building new on an empty plot. New design decisions have to be evaluated alongside the existing structural system, existing finishes, concealed infrastructure, operational conditions, and any interventions made previously. For this reason, a renovation process begins not with assumptions, but with reading the existing condition as accurately as possible.
SYSTEM SCOPE
- Existing condition survey and site measurement
- Controlled demolition and area isolation
- Phasing and site logistics
- Architectural refurbishment and finishing works
- New-to-existing junction details
- Live-facility coordination
- Phased handover and punch list
ENGINEERING PROCESS
01 ANALYSIS
02 ENGINEERING
03 COORDINATION
04 IMPLEMENTATION
05 TESTING
06 COMMISSIONING
07 HANDOVER
DELIVERY APPROACH
Delivery decisions that protect investment value
Controlled Demolition
Demolition is the first construction stage of a renovation. Demolition limits, temporary protection, material movement, and waste removal are planned in advance, and the actual conditions revealed are reassessed as work proceeds.
Live Facilities
Renovating a building while it remains in operation requires a different discipline. Noise, dust, material handling, occupant circulation, emergency exits, and working hours are all planned in coordination with facility operations.
Phasing
The renovation program defines not only when each task is carried out, but also when each area is vacated and when it is handed back into use.
Unforeseen Conditions
Existing buildings always hold unknowns. The goal is not for the site team to proceed on its own assumptions, but to follow a clear flow of detection, recording, technical evaluation, decision, and execution.
Junctions Between New and Existing
Differing levels, materials, tolerances, surface conditions, and structural movement all affect the detail solution — which is why junction areas can demand more attention than in new-build projects.
Handover
When a renovation is completed, it is not only the new work that is checked, but also the overall consistency with the areas left untouched. Handover can take place by area or by phase.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
About We rebuild by first understanding what already exists.
What is the fundamental difference between renovation and new construction?
In new construction, execution largely follows the system as designed. In renovation, the new design has to be reconciled with the existing structure and actual site conditions.
Can renovation be carried out while a hotel remains open?
Depending on the scope of the project and operational conditions, some works can be carried out while the hotel remains operating, through phasing, work-area isolation, and dedicated logistics arrangements.
Why is a pre-renovation survey important?
As-built records do not always fully reflect actual conditions. A site survey helps reduce unknowns before execution begins.
What happens if an unforeseen condition is discovered during demolition?
The condition is recorded, its technical impact is assessed, and work continues only once the necessary approval or decision has been obtained.
How is the duration of a renovation determined?
Scope, access to areas, the facility's operating status, material lead times, conditions that may emerge after demolition, and the phasing method are all evaluated together.
Can existing materials be retained?
Materials that are technically and architecturally suitable can be retained or reused, depending on the project decision; this requires the demolition and protection method to be planned accordingly.
What is the greatest risk in renovation?
There is no single risk. Incomplete knowledge of existing conditions, lack of coordination with operations, uncontrolled demolition, poorly managed revisions, and time constraints are the main risks.
