Project Overview
Two Adjacent Buildings Unified Into One Cohesive Facility.
Located in Brooklyn's historic Bedford-Stuyvesant neighborhood, this project involves the unification of two adjacent structures: Walworth, a one-story warehouse, and Sanford, a three-story building with a cellar used for storage. The rear elevations of both buildings face each other, and the redevelopment plan transforms the two structures into a single connected facility.
The Sanford building includes a first-floor sanctuary and assembly space, with classrooms and office areas on the upper levels. Integrating the two buildings required careful structural coordination so the modified superstructure could safely support the new layout and revised building behavior.
Superstructure Modification Scope
To enable the connection between Walworth and Sanford, the rear walls of both buildings were demolished and steel columns along the shared gridline were removed. H&Z Consulting Engineering provided structural analysis and design services for this complex modification, focusing on continuity, stability and a revised load path that could support the combined facility.
- Structural analysis for the unification of two adjacent buildings.
- Design support for rear wall demolition at both structures.
- Assessment of steel column removal along the shared gridline.
- New steel beams designed to support the revised superstructure.
- New corner columns introduced to stabilize the modified framing system.
- Coordination of revised load paths between existing and new structural elements.
Revised Load Path Strategy
New steel beams and corner columns were strategically designed to establish a clear load path after the removal of existing framing elements. To support the transfer of loads from existing upper-level columns, short steel channels were introduced on both sides of the cut columns, directing forces into the newly designed structural system.
This approach allowed the project team to open and connect the rear portions of the buildings while maintaining structural continuity through the modified framing. The result is a buildable structural strategy that respects existing conditions while supporting the new architectural program.
Engineering Result
The Bedford-Stuyvesant project highlights H&Z's ability to resolve complex superstructure modifications where existing buildings, changed load paths and new architectural goals meet. Through targeted analysis and steel framing design, the two structures can be reworked into one functional facility with a clear structural system.