Portfolio

Project Title: Construction of Two (2) Storey Commercial Building

Client: Air Technology Limited

Location: El Socorro South, Trinidad.

Status: Under Construction

Year: June 2025 – Present

Project Description/ Scope of Works:This project involves the design and construction of a modern two-storey structure intended for commercial and warehousing use. The building features a robust structural system tailored to maximize interior space and flexibility of use.

Key Features:
Efficiency Gains:
The use of unbonded post-tensioned concrete in both the foundation and superstructure resulted in cost savings of approximately 15% for the client and reduced the construction period by nearly one month, when compared to traditional reinforced concrete methods.

Foundation:
A post-tensioned ribbed slab foundation system integrated with 3′-0″ wide ground beams, providing superior load distribution and structural efficiency on variable subgrade conditions.

Superstructure:
The first floor is U-shaped, cantilevered, and fully post-tensioned, allowing for an open-plan layout with no internal columns, optimizing the usable square footage and layout flexibility.

Walls:
All superstructure walls are constructed using 6″ concrete blocks.

Site & Boundary Works:
The site was backfilled to a height of 2 feet above road level as per the client’s wishes. The scope also included the demolition of the existing Eastern boundary wall and the construction of new reinforced boundary walls along the Northern and Eastern perimeters to enhance security and site definition.

This design not only meets the functional demands of a commercial/warehousing operation but also demonstrates innovative use of post-tensioning techniques to achieve an open and column-free interior — a standout in small- to medium-scale industrial building design.