Structural engineering / Rotterdam — London Est. 200931 engineersCalculation note B-04
A practice for things that must stand

Structureis anargumentwith gravity.

We calculate the quiet things: the load path no one sees, the connection that holds when everything else is moving, and the structure that will still be standing when the conversation is over.

Built projects142
Longest span86 m
Fully plastic0 failures
Load lab / beam B-04 · simple span Live calculation
72 kN
IPE / S235
Simply supported beam, 12 metre span, under uniform load Live deflection diagram. The beam deflects as the applied load is increased. L = 12,000 mm 12,000 mm SUPPORT A / PIN SUPPORT B / ROLLER UDL — DEAD + LIVE SECTION IPE
MEd108.0 kNm
δmax33.4 mm
Utilisation70%
VerdictPASS
Section IPE 400 / S235Limits MRd 302 kNm · L/250 48 mmCompliant with EN 1993-1-1

Demonstration model. Simplified UDL check; not a design. A qualified engineer must verify every structure.

01 /
Structures

Selected structures.

A structure is a set of decisions held in equilibrium. These are a few we are proud to have made.

Full project index ↗
Brutalist concrete structure with deep horizontal bands.01 / Culture
Antwerp, BE2024

The Fold — a 1968 office, opened up.

Two new light wells cut through a 12-storey concrete frame, with a 21-metre transfer beam carrying six floors above.

Span21.0 mMaterialSteel + existing concreteLoad pathTransfer / frameStatusBuilt
White geometric building facade with deep openings.02 / Housing
Rotterdam, NL2023

Quay House

Cross-laminated timber over a two-storey concrete podium; 96 homes and a public colonnade.

Span6.8 mMaterialCLT + concreteStatusBuilt
Sculptural concrete facade with ribbon-like curves.03 / Pavilion
Oslo, NO2022

Ribbon Pavilion

A 32-metre clear span in glulam, held by two concrete blades and a very patient foundation.

Span32.0 mMaterialGlulamStatusBuilt
02 /
Method
Four rules, no exceptions

We design for the worst Tuesday.

Not the brochure photograph. The Tuesday when the wind is up, a delivery van is on the pavement and somebody has hung a plant from the wrong beam.

01 / LOAD PATH EN 1990

Follow every kilo

If we cannot draw the load path in one continuous line, we do not understand the structure yet.

G + Q → slab → beam → column → foundation
02 / ROBUSTNESS EN 1991-1-7

Design for the missing piece

Every primary element is checked for its own removal. Redundancy is not a luxury; it is a second chance.

Σ MRd ≥ 1.5 × MEd · accidental
03 / DUCTILITY EN 1993-1-1

Fail slowly, if at all

We prefer connections that yield before they fracture. A warning is worth more than a hidden reserve.

Class 1 / 2 sections · rotation capacity checked
04 / MAINTENANCE ISO 13822

Make it inspectable

A structure you cannot see is a structure you cannot maintain. Access is part of the engineering.

Inspection interval: 24 months / 60 months
Calculations to Eurocode 0, 1, 3 and 5Independent peer review on every projectNote B-04 · Rev 3
03 / Practice

Small enough
to care about bolts.

MONOLITH is a 31-person structural engineering practice working between Rotterdam and London. We work on public buildings, adaptive reuse and structures that need to last longer than the lease.

142Built projects
31Engineers
17Years in practice
2026IStructE Structural Award — The FoldWinner
2024Dutch Concrete Award — Quay HouseCommended
2023RIBA Stirling shortlist — Ribbon PavilionShortlist
2021EN Eurocode review panelMember
Angular concrete structure with strong diagonal shadows.
The Fold, Antwerp — transfer levelPh. M. de Wit
04 / Start a conversation

Bring us something
that must stand.

studio@monolith.engineering Rotterdam · London
+31 10 555 0188