Case Study, April 2026

Glatthaar Keller Delivers Complex Commercial Basement for German Residential Development

The Schwerin residential development in northern Germany has showcased Glatthaar Keller’s capability to deliver technically demanding commercialgrade basement structures under challenging urban conditions. The project involved the construction of a 398 m² hybrid basement to support a new building comprising of 16 apartments. Complete with an underground car park, nine parking spaces, a full stairwell and a lift pit.

Situated on a tight infill site bordered by existing buildings and public roads, the scheme required meticulous coordination with structural engineers. The objective was to achieve an economical, robust and buildable solution despite the spatial and logistical constraints.

The basement was constructed using a combination of precast and insitu reinforced concrete elements, supported on three sides by Berlintype shoring, similar to soldier piles or king posts. The structure incorporated 40 tonnes of reinforcement steel and 322 m³ of concrete, with multiple slab thicknesses, height transitions and a bespoke waterproofing strategy designed to manage temporarily pressing groundwater.

The lift pit was cast in situ, while the remaining reinforced concrete works, including the stairwell, walls and waterproofing  were completed within an 11week construction period. Crane operations were optimised through the use of stacked cassettes positioned on the basement slab, and the final slab received a powertrowelled finish to meet durability and performance requirements.

The result is a precisely executed, watertight and longlasting basement structure, delivered efficiently despite the complexities of the site.

Glatthaar Keller’s UK division is now preparing to apply the same expertise to similar projects across the United Kingdom. A key advantage of the company’s approach lies in its factorymanufactured precast elements, which significantly reduce onsite risk. By producing components through a controlled, repeatable process, pricing and scheduling can be fixed and contractually guaranteed, offering clients a highcertainty delivery model.