GS Renovation creates open-plan spaces across Lewisham, turning the divided rooms of bay-fronted terraces in Forest Hill, Catford and Deptford into bright kitchen-diners and knock-through receptions. With over 30 years of structural experience in SE4, SE13, SE23 and SE26, we handle the steelwork, the sign-off and the finishing so the space feels genuinely open.
Open-plan living in Lewisham's period homes
Lewisham's terraces were built as a series of small rooms, and the modern brief is to join them: a through-lounge across the two receptions, or a kitchen-diner formed by opening into the rear closet wing and side return. Around SE23 and SE26 near Forest Hill, these knock-throughs almost always cross a load-bearing wall, so the layout has to be engineered rather than simply demolished.
We work with the structural engineer to size a steel beam that carries the floors and masonry above, bearing onto padstones at each end. For broken-plan schemes we can frame the opening with slim Crittall-style glazed dividers that keep light flowing while separating the kitchen from the dining area, a look that suits the proportions of these SE-postcode homes well.
Steel, party wall and sign-off in Lewisham
Because the beam usually bears onto the party wall shared with the neighbour, an open-plan conversion in an SE8 or SE13 terrace is notifiable under the Party Wall Act, and we serve the notices before starting. On site we install temporary propping, remove the wall in stages, set the steel and transfer the load in a controlled sequence so the house stays stable throughout.
The structural side is governed by the Building Regulations, so Lewisham Council's building control inspects the beam and its bearings and signs the work off, no planning permission is needed for internal work unless the home is listed or in a conservation area. We coordinate the engineer, the notices, the steel and the finishing, then plaster and decorate so your new open-plan room is ready to use.
- Level flooring and threshold removal across rooms
- Lighting, heating and electrical reconfiguration
- Knock-throughs between reception rooms
- Open-plan kitchen-diner conversions
- Steel beam installation to remove the dividing wall
Why Lewisham Homeowners Choose GS Renovation
For open-plan conversions in Lewisham, GS Renovation delivers the whole job under one roof: engineer-designed steel, party wall notices served on the neighbour, Lewisham building control sign-off, and a clean finish including Crittall dividers if you want broken-plan. We prop and stage the work safely in your occupied terrace and back it with 30+ years across the borough.
- Free, no-obligation quotations
- Over 30 years of experience
- Dedicated project management
- Fully insured and guaranteed work
- Building control and planning support
- Clean, tidy and reliable tradespeople