We're on Channel 10: LearnPedia & ANZ Engineers on Country House Facelift

As part of the project, ANZ Engineers was engaged to provide the structural engineering consultation and design required for the removal of several internal walls. While opening up a floorplan can dramatically improve the functionality and feel of a home, it also requires careful engineering to ensure the building remains structurally sound.

Our role involved assessing the existing structure, identifying load-bearing elements, and preparing the engineering consultation and design needed to safely achieve the desired open-plan layout.

It was a pleasure collaborating with Walt Collins and the entire Country House Facelift team. Watching the transformation come together was a rewarding experience, and we're grateful to have contributed to a project that showcases the importance of structural engineering in residential renovations.

Watch the video below to get a glimpse of the project.

One of the most common renovation goals is creating a more open and connected living space. However, not every wall can simply be demolished.

Internal walls can support roof loads, ceiling loads, upper floors, or other structural elements or they could be braced walls. Removing these walls without the appropriate engineering assessment can compromise the safety and stability of the building.

In renovation projects, a structural engineer will typically:

- Assess whether the wall is load-bearing.
- Assess whether the wall is a bracing wall.
- Calculate the loads that need to be transferred.
- Design suitable structural beams and columns if needed.
- Prepare engineering drawings for builders and building surveyors.
- Ensure the design complies with the National Construction Code and relevant Australian Standards (AS/NZS).

Whether you're an experienced structural engineer, a graduate, or an engineer looking to gain more exposure to residential structural design, projects like this highlight the important role structural engineers play in turning architectural ideas into safe, practical, and buildable solutions.

At LearnPedia, we train civil and structural engineers to gain the practical skills and confidence in designing and drafting residential projects in accordance with the National Construction Code (NCC) and relevant Australian Standards (AS/NZS). Through our project-based training and 3-month traineeship program, engineers gain hands-on experience by design and drafting real-life residential projects, from start to end, step by step to prepare for industry.