Subterranean Tennis Court, Hertfordshire

In order to minimise the visual impact on the surrounding grounds to the newly constructed residential mansion the decision was made by the client to construct the tennis court structure below ground.

The requirement for a column free internal layout resulted in the design of a reinforced concrete box, with mezzanine floors and cross walls to the cinema complex and haunched beams spanning the full width of the structure to support the roof slab.

Due to the depth & size of the excavation extensive temporary works were required which resulted in the installation of hydraulic props to restrain the contiguous pile wall until the adjoining upper section of the wall and roof structure had been cast.

Waterproofing of the basement structure was a critical aspect of this project and the decision was taken at an early stage to opt for the use of waterproof concrete to all external elements of the structure. BS 8007 was used to ensure that the design & detailing of the reinforcement was such that the extent of any cracking was carefully controlled to within the specified limits.