Accessible pavilion built on challenging sloping clay and fill ground using piled foundations, engineered drainage and bespoke timber structure for reflection.
Accessible pavilion built on challenging sloping clay and fill ground using piled foundations, engineered drainage and bespoke timber structure for reflection.
Located at the Welsh Spinal Cord Injury Centre, this project created a peaceful, fully accessible garden and pavilion for those rebuilding their lives after spinal injury. The sloping site had been levelled using fill and a geo-grid retaining system — suitable for landscaping but not for structural loads — creating complex ground challenges for our engineers.
Following detailed investigations and scanning to locate buried services, we designed helical screw piles tied with reinforced concrete ground beams and a suspended slab to support the timber pavilion. Beam positions were coordinated to avoid clashes with existing infrastructure, with some cantilevering over critical pipework. Heavy clay soils meant soakaways were impossible, so our drainage design integrated with the hospital’s existing attenuation system. To ensure flat, safe paths for wheelchair users, we introduced a permeable surface laid over an impermeable liner, allowing water to filter through before being channelled into controlled outlets — preventing surface ponding while maintaining accessibility.
Working with the Timber Workshop and the wider design team, we helped deliver a beautifully detailed pavilion and landscape offering level, puddle-free surfaces for wheelchair users. The result is a calm, restorative space demonstrating how precise engineering, coordinated detailing, and innovative drainage solutions can transform complex terrain into a sanctuary of accessibility and wellbeing.
AWA Consulting Engineers is a structural, civil, and marine engineering consultancy established in 1987, with a hard-won but deserved reputation for delivering excellence in our profession.
Our philosophy is simple: we put people first. This has resulted in a high number of repeat clients and an impressive track record of successful award-winning projects. We are proud to be professional, and approachable; we believe this makes us the ideal partner for your project.
AWA has technical teams in our offices located in Romsey, Hampshire and Bath, Somerset. We deliver services to clients typically across the South, South East and South West.
Our team includes both chartered structural engineers and chartered civil engineers committed to continuous professional development ensuring you benefit from up to date industry expertise, whatever your project entails.
To find out more about how AWA Consulting Engineers can help with your project, get in touch today. Email mail@awaengineers.com and one of the team will be in touch. Alternatively, call 01794 524447 to speak to a member of our team.
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