We are delighted to have completed another residential new build project providing much needed community housing. On two very constricted sites adjacent to an operational station and railway line in Woodlands Park Road, we built two separate 3 storey blocks providing 15 apartments and 2 dayrooms for the Royal Borough of Greenwich. The structures comprise light gauge steel frames with facing brickwork external walls, aluminium timber composite double glazed windows under flat insulated roofs covered with a single ply membrane. PV’s have been installed at roof level which are connected to the landlord’s supply to serve the common parts with excess energy being directed back into the grid. The accommodation comprises 8 x 2 bed and 7 x 1 bed apartments, together with 2 dayrooms with a central courtyard providing secure amenity space to the East apartment block.

The project was secured following a single stage tender under a modified JCT 2011 design and Build contract. Significant challenges on the project included removing contaminated ground and hazardous materials, working adjacent to a live railway and station which required a BAPA with Network Rail, the execution of Party Wall Awards with adjoining owners, and minimising intrusion on neighbours in a relatively narrow urban road.

The outcome was successful with the provision of 15 energy efficient new homes being provided offering generously sized rooms with high levels of natural daylighting and good quality fixtures and fittings.

Client: London Borough of Greenwich
Employer’s Agent: Frankham Consultancy Group Ltd
Contract Value: £3.08M
Contract Start Date: October 2019
Contract End Date: April 2021

We undertook this challenging design and build contract for the London Borough of Hammersmith & Fulham on the Springvale Estate in Porten Road and the outcome has been fantastically well received by the Council and the new residents.

The new development includes 10 new homes for affordable rent comprising:

• 6no. two-bedroom flats on upper floors
• 2no. ground floor one-bedroom flats
• 2no. three-bedroom houses, constructed over three floors.

The project was undertaken in a densely populated urban environment and the primary site logistical challenges were the access to the site and subsequent demolition of existing disused garages, the diversion of a mains foul water sewer and the 6.0 metre reduced level dig to remove the remnants of Victorian buildings and basements decimated by bombing during WWII.

The development comprised a 5 storey block of flats and two attached 3 storey houses together with associated infrastructure and hard and soft landscaping designed and built to meet the requirements of NHBC Buildmark, Lifetime Homes, Secured by Design, Planning Conditions and the Building Regulations.

The buildings were constructed on CFA piles with lightweight steel frames, densely insulated external walls finished with Sto-render, Velfac windows and doors under pitched and flat roofs covered with single ply membranes. The buildings have all mains services and the upper floor flats are served by an 8 person.

Environmental benefits have been gained by providing Green roofs, PV panels and significant levels of underground surface water attenuation. Hard and soft landscaping has provided fencing to create defensible areas and planting of trees and shrubs.

Client: London Borough of Hammersmith & Fulham
Employer’s Agent: RLB
Contract Value: £3.08M
Contract Start Date: December 2019
Contract End Date: April 2022

This project consisted of the design and build of a new natural gas distribution network together with associated fire safety work to a listed multi dwelling building consisting of 80 properties.

We initially undertook a full survey to identify proposed routes externally and internally to each block of the building and individual properties. This informed the gas pipe sizing calculations for a technical submission and drawings including elevations and plans which were produced to accompany a planning submission.

A planning pre-application had already been sought and the work agreed in principle so the main underground routes and risers could be installed pending full consent.

Resident engagement was critical to the delivery of the project which involved letter drops and door knocking by our appointed RLO who liaised with THCH Appointments were made with each resident to install the new gas pipe in close to the existing boiler then terminated in a valve ready for final change over.

Once the new incoming gas main and meter was installed, a date was made with each resident to carry out the final connection As it was critical to minimise the downtime to each property, as much of the works as practical was done ahead of the change over
Each change over was carried out within 2 hours to minimise down time and inconvenience to the resident.

Client: Tower Hamlets CH
Employer’s Agent: McBains
Contract Value: £1.2M
Contract Start Date: June 2022
Contract End Date: February 2023

Hermitage Primary school is located along Vaughan Way in Wapping. The school currently has a mixedage form setup to accommodate the 1.5 FE cohort as it moves through. The purpose of the project is to provide a single storey new-build ASD unit as an Integrated Specialist Primary provision for up to 12 children with high functioning autism together with an additional bulge class.

The Unit for the Hermitage Primary School has undergone a rigorous design process to provide a bespoke solution, responding to the site and school requirements. The design considerations have maintained the client’s vision of a value for money providing a highly efficient layout whilst meeting LBTH sustainability and futureproofing aspirations.

The key design features include:

• Access to the multi use ASC unit is directly from the SEND area of the main building through a secure lobby and with an accessible WC linked to the unit.
• The circulation provides multiple access to the unit should the room need to be divided for various activities.
• The mono-pitched roof allows for northern light to filter through to the back of the classroom which is essential if the unit is to be divided via a folding wall. The sloped roof also creates high ceilings and with the addition of high level glazing, enables natural light to work well throughout the space giving a fresh feel to the environment.
• The lowest and highest parts of the proposed roof matches the existing roof levels therefore extends from the main school building seamlessly.
• The main entrance is accessed via the existing ramp with space for cycle storage.
• 2 accessible parking spaces provided close to the ramped access.
• A garden fronting the unit provides protected views from the outside and provides natural views helping promote learning and wellbeing.
• Design guidance from the National Autistic Society recommends limiting over stimulating views therefore, although desired in normal circumstances, windows to the south overlooking the EY play area are not proposed. Access to the playground however is available from both classrooms.

Client: London Borough of Tower Hamlets
Employer’s Agent: Ingleton Wood
Contract Value: £1,519,400.00
Contract End Date: July 2024
Form of Contract: JCT Standard Form with amendments

Residential New Build

This design and build project for the London Borough of Enfield, involved the re-development of three garage sites to provide 12 new homes for affordable rent and a surface car park for 24no. vehicles. The new homes comprised of:

• 5no. Three-bedroom, three storey houses
• 7no. Two-bedroom, two storey houses
• 1 no surface car park for 24no. vehicles

Aside of the usual logistical implications of undertaking significant building work in a densely populated urban environment with restricted road widths, the primary challenges prior to commencement of the re-development were the diversion of a mains foul and surface water sewers and the diversion of underground HV electricity cables.

The new buildings comprised a 3 storey block terrace of houses faceted to a curve on plan and a straight terrace of 7 two storey houses. The buildings were constructed with timber frames, densely insulated external walls finished externally with facing brickwork, Velfac windows and doors were fitted under flat roofs covered with single ply membranes.

Environmental benefits have been gained by providing Green roofs, PV panels and significant levels of underground surface water attenuation. Hard and soft landscaping included predominately grassed rear gardens, fencing to create defensible areas and planting of trees and shrubs. The surface car park is finished with permeable asphalt which drains to underground attenuation tanks to enable a controlled outfall to the public sewer.

Client: The London Borough of Enfield
Employer’s Agent: Stace LLP
Contract Value: £3.7M
Contract Start Date: April 2021
Contract End Date: June 2022
Form of Contract: JCT Standard Form with amendments

Residential New Build

Ark Build PLC tendered for contract to transform a former garage site into nine 3-bed homes for the London Borough of Newham for Affordable Rent in central Plaistow.

The project was awarded to Ark Build PLC under a JCT Design & Build 2016 Contract. The scheme consists of nine affordable rented houses – all of which have three bedrooms and private rear gardens. The clients requirements for the residential units were to comply with the London SPG sizes:

• 5 No. 3 bedroom 5 person 3-storey townhouses @ 108.8m2 for affordable rent.
• 2 No. 3 bedroom 5 person duplexes in a 4 storey block @ 102.6m2 for affordable rent.
• 2 No. 3 bedroom 5 person duplexes in a 4 storey block @ 94.8m2 for affordable rent.
• Total floor area = 944.8m2

The modern terraces all have their own private gardens, meeting the need for quality family homes in the borough. Doherty Road is a quiet side street and as part of our work, we have also constructed another number of properties in Stacey Road for the same client.

The site was registered under the Considerate Constructors Scheme, constantly receiving Performance Level: Very Good

Client: London Borough Newham (Populo Living)
Employer’s Agent: Airey Miller
Contract Value: £2,690,321.
Contract Start Date: April 2020
Contract End Date: December 2021

Constructing modern, efficient, quality homes in Harlow

This project incorporated :

• The demolition of an existing 1960’s three storey traditionally constructed block of flats;
• The construction of a new three and two storey terrace to provide 4 x 3 bedroom and 2 x 2 bedroom houses.;
• Soft and hard landscaping including retaining walls, parking bays, patios, paving, planting and grassed areas.

The plot was located within a site comprising of three other occupied blocks of flats which required precise site logistics to accommodate safe pedestrian and vehicular access and movement.

The design met the requirements of statutory planning conditions and building regulations and NHBC Buildmark, CFSH Level 4, Lifetime Homes and Secured by Design standards.

Client
Clarion Housing Group

Consultants
Gary Johns – Architect
CTP – Structural & Civil Engineers
Liz Lake Associates – Landscape Architect
NRG – Environmental Consultants

Contract value
£1.2m

Contract period
40 weeks

Location
Paringdon Road, Harlow CM19

Sustainable extension within a sensitive educational environment

This 470m² single story extension provides new accommodation for Nightingale BESD School, a community special school in Wandsworth for boys aged 5 to 19 with social, emotional and behavioural difficulties.

Three new classrooms were built, along with offices, therapy and group rooms, a library, changing and toilet facilities and the school’s kitchen and canteen which were remodelled. Changes were made to the car park to facilitate vehicle turning and the existing entrance was widened.

Located on a large site classified as Metropolitan Open Land (MOL) with a livestock farm as an active educational facility, the design was led by sustainability, both at Planning and BREEAM. The development included recycled Durisol blocks for the external, internal and retaining walls. Monodraught natural ventilation, underfloor heating, green roofs, a permeable soft play area and significant soft landscaping with new trees, shrubs and a nature pond were also added.

The project also included the refurbishment of an existing 6th Form block: although the site was segregated from the main school building and grounds, interfaces with the existing structure and services were key to successful delivery both in terms of structural integrity and minimising disruption to every day school activities. Positive daily engagement with the school management was pivotal to achieving a first class service.

Client
London Borough of Wandsworth

Consultants
Wandsworth Design Services

Contract value
£1.6m

Contract period
52 weeks

Location
Beechcroft Road, London SW17

London Borough of Newham’s first social housing project delivered in 30 years

This design and build scheme was to provide a terrace of 6, 3 bedroom 3 storey houses and 1,  3 bedroom 2 storey wheelchair unit situated within a typical inner London residential area bordered by a mixture of 2 storey houses and high rise flats.

The scheme represents the first new council houses constructed by Newham for 30 years and has been well received by the council and tenants alike.

The buildings are of timber frame construction enclosed with facing brick walls and fitted with aluminium windows and doors under flat roofs. The development includes the associated infrastructure, drainage and hard and soft landscaping. To control the outflow of water into Victorian drainage system, attenuation was provided to the surface water drainage system to control the outflow of water into the Victorian drainage system under the public highway.

The properties benefit from exceptional levels of day light through generous fenestration and a central atrium. Amenity space is provided through private gardens to the front and rear of the properties.

The buildings were designed and built to meet the requirements of NHBC Buildmark, CsSH Level 4, Lifetime Homes, Secured by Design and the building regulations.

The contemporary design of the new housing made it a finalist at the 2016 Housing Design Awards and the Inside Housing Top 60 Developments Awards in the ‘Best Designed Development of the Year’ category.

Client
London Borough of Newham

Consultants
Bell Phillips – Architect
IGM Associates Ltd – Quantity Surveyor

Contract value
£1.28m

Contract period
40 weeks

Location
Florence Road, London E6

Design and Build of a single storey nursery school extension

This project comprised of 120m2 single storey extension to a nursery and remodelling of part of the existing building to facilitate the interface between the two buildings.

The extension was built on deep strip concrete strip foundations with concrete block and beam floors and a steel frame with brick and block enclosing walls. The external walls were built in blue engineering bricks to dpc level then Ibstock Coleridge yellow multi-stock bricks in English and stretcher bond.

The dual pitched roof is finished with Kingspan KS1000 Kingzip IP composite standing seam panels in goosewing grey with PCC aluminium verges and cover flashings.

The building benefits from a high levels of daylighting through PCC aluminium windows and doors to all elevations. Internal finishes comprise perforated acoustic ceilings, dry-lined walls and vinyl floor coverings.

The work was undertaken successfully across school term times in strict conjunction with the school management team. Physical segregation from the school areas was created by 2.4 m high solid hoarding which was over painted with murals by the school children.

Signage was placed on the hoarding warning the children of the dangers of entering a building site. We also gave a power point presentation at a school assembly to reinforce safety messages and to also engage the children and staff with the building process.

Client
Newham Council

Consultants
ATP – Architects
VKHP – Structural Engineers

Contract Value
£500k

Contract Weeks
28 weeks

Location
Central Park Road, London, E6