1994 Residence Structural & Facade Transformation

01. Existing Condition Assessment & Diagnostic Survey

Built in 1994 on a 42'-0" × 75'-0" (14 Marla) plot in Civil Lines, Kamalia, this solid brick-masonry residence had sound foundations and 9-inch exterior walls, yet suffered from an outdated spatial layout: a dark central corridor, undersized 4'-0" windows with heavy wrought-iron grilles, corroded galvanized iron (GI) plumbing lines causing rising damp (seepage), and a dated mosaic front verandah.

Rather than demolishing 4,100 sq.ft of structurally viable masonry, the homeowners commissioned Areesh Architecture & Builders to execute an engineered Structural Retrofit, Spatial Remodeling, and 3D Facade Transformation—delivering the experience of a brand-new contemporary residence at 45% lower cost than complete reconstruction.

02. Structural Wall Removal & Steel Portal Engineering

Removing walls inside a 1990s load-bearing brick house without engineering calculation is one of the most dangerous mistakes in local renovation work. Our structural team followed a strict 4-step protocol:

1. As-Built Load Tracing: We mapped the roof slab bearing direction (one-way RCC slab spanning across the central 24-foot partition wall) and tested brick mortar compressive strength.
2. Temporary Acrow Prop Shoring: Heavy-duty adjustable steel props and timber needle beams were installed on both sides of the central wall to support the first-floor slab load before a single brick was removed.
3. Underpinned Pad Footings & Steel Stanchions: Two new 4'-6" × 4'-6" RCC pad footings were cast beneath the floor level to receive twin vertical ISMB-250 steel H-columns hidden neatly within the side wall piers.
4. Twin ISMB-300 Overhead Steel Girders: Two parallel structural steel I-beams (300mm depth) were hoisted, bolted to the end stanchions, and dry-packed with non-shrink cementitious grout against the existing slab—creating an expansive 24'-0" × 28'-0" open-plan family lounge and dining hall.

03. Exterior Elevation Transformation & MEP Overhaul

| Renovation System | Before (1994 Condition) | After (Areesh 2024 Intervention) | | :--- | :--- | :--- | | Front Elevation | Rounded arches, chipped ceramic tiles, and narrow verandah | Crisp geometric brutalist facade with micro-concrete render, steel-framed porch portal, and warm Burma teak soffit | | Window Openings | High-sill 4' × 4' wood windows with dark interiors | Structural RCC lintel extensions enabling 8'-0" tall floor-to-ceiling black aluminum glazing (+210% natural daylight) | | Plumbing & Dampness | Leaking GI pipes and rising salinity up to 3 feet on lower walls | Chemical DPC injection barrier, cementitious waterproofing, and heat-fused PPRC piping with pressure manifold | | Electrical Network | Single-phase brittle wiring with surface PVC casing | Concealed flame-retardant copper cabling, three-phase DB split by floor, and architectural grazing LEDs |

04. Renovation Outcome

Completed in just 14 weeks, the transformed residence seamlessly integrates modern open-plan living, energy-efficient glazing, and a bold street elevation while honoring and preserving the structural bones of the family's ancestral home.