318 Oxford Street

The redevelopment of 318 Oxford Street was a complex cut-and-carve transformation of a six-storey steel-framed building constructed in 1937 as a department store. The structure featured riveted steel sections, solid circular steel internal columns, and prefabricated concrete I-beam floors—an unusual choice for its time. Works included demolition down to level 06, construction of three new upper floors, partial demolition of level 06, localised demolition in the northwest and central areas for a new core, and removal of part of the first-floor slab to create a double-height entrance. Additional enabling works were carried out for a new basement-level swimming pool.

A series of temporary works were implemented to maintain stability during the redevelopment. These included façade restraint using flying shores, propping of existing masonry retaining walls across multiple basement levels, and the use of finite element modelling and strut-and-tie analysis to justify the retained slab portions. Innovative methods such as hanging support systems were introduced to avoid obstructing work zones, particularly where piling and new raft slabs were to be installed. Water ingress issues were addressed with permeation grouting and site drainage due to a high water table. Julija was instrumental in saving the existing foundations under one of the central columns—which also temporarily supported the tower crane—from demolition and rebuild. This avoided significant temporary works costs. She liaised closely with the permanent works engineers and helped develop a more economical solution.