In Antibes, OMPT GROUPE recently carried out a complex structural project to transform the interior of a villa by opening up the façade to the outdoors. The project involved enlarging several large glazed openings in load-bearing walls, a delicate operation requiring complete mastery of reinforcement techniques and close coordination with the structural engineers.
From the very first stages, the team carried out a precise analysis of the existing walls to determine the extent of the loads to be carried. The planned openings meant removing significant sections of load-bearing masonry, so a particularly robust strengthening system was essential. To guarantee the stability of the building, OMPT GROUPE installed a set of reinforced concrete columns, carefully anchored in the existing foundations to carry the vertical loads transferred by the wider openings.
In addition, a steel structure of HEA beams was installed to ensure continuity of the horizontal forces and the overall stability of the modified façade. These beams were sized according to the requirements of the structural engineering office to absorb the stresses generated by enlarging the glazed openings and to provide optimal protection against any risk of deformation. Combining reinforced concrete and steel creates a highly effective hybrid reinforcement, making the structure safe while allowing more open, brighter spaces.
Throughout the job, temporary shoring was kept in place to preserve the integrity of the building during the cutting phases. Demolition was carried out with millimetre precision to cleanly prepare the locations that would receive the reinforcing elements. Once the columns and HEA beams were installed and fixed, the new openings could be finished, giving a more generous space and a largely glazed façade.
This transformation has reshaped the look of the interior, bringing exceptional brightness and a panoramic view outwards, while maintaining impeccable structural safety. Thanks to its expertise in work on load-bearing walls and in every type of underpinning, OMPT GROUPE is now a leading name in complex structural work.
