Project Details:

• The construction consisted of 19 dual aspect cooperative social housing units in three, four and five-storey buildings together with a self contained 30m2 committee room, all of which were erected on an existing sub-structure, forming part of a basement car-park over the whole area of the site.
• The project included the fitting-out of the existing committee room to form one housing unit. The shared community open space was finished in brick paving with vehicular access from South Gloucester Street. The buildings were constructed using traditional building techniques i.e. load bearing cavity blockwork walls with an external brickwork leaf, and with precast concrete floor panels with timber and slate roofing.
• The development was constructed on top of an existing reinforced concrete sub-structure (basement box and podium slab).
• The site working parameters were extremely restrictive i.e. deliveries, car parking, access, waste removal, etc.
• Health and safety standards were met and exceeded and site coordination was mandatory during the construction of the project.
• ABM’s comprehensive programme and traffic management plans facilitated the construction of these units within the confines of a restricted site boundary.
• All internal fit-out works were to a high specification.

Sustainability

• In accordance with the Design Brief, the apartment blocks were constructed to facilitate a passive environment entailing low-e light fittings, excellent natural daylight, natural ventilation and stale air recycling. The building elements were specified with a high emphasis on sustainability & efficiency.
• Energy conservation was conveyed through thermal performance & air tightness requirements which, when constructed, surpassed part L requirements.
• A highly efficient exhaust heat pump unit was installed into each apartment unit which provides main space heating and hot water supply to each residential unit.
• The heat production is safe and economical with integrated hot water heater (170 litres), immersion heater, circulation pump and control system.
• A building energy rating certificate and advisory report formed part were carried out by NABCO in order to comply with Part L of the Building Regulations. The Building energy rating survey was carried out in January 2012 which resulted in the building receiving a highly sustainable building energy rating band.
• Other sustainable technology incorporated into the design such as 100% low energy lighting CFL bulbs will reduce end user costs and carbon footprints for each dwelling significantly.