180 Stratford High Street
Delivered for Private (EA: Savills)
Project introduction
Lawtech completed the removal and replacement of combustible rainscreen and EWI cladding at three adjoining mixed-use residential and retail blocks in Stratford.
Our Approach
Façade Solution
Introduction
180 Stratford High Street is comprised of three adjoining mixed-use residential and retail blocks, with the residential use a mix of social housing, social rental and private owner accommodation. The three blocks are the 27-storey Athena Court, 10-storey Aphrodite Court, and 8-storey Apollo Court. A substantial part of this project was funded via the Building Safety Fund. We were also able to provide the additional benefit of a 25-year SWIGA (Solid Wall Insulation Guarantee Agency) guarantee for Aphrodite Court as we are one of few contractors able to provide this for buildings over 18 metres.
PCSA Services
Intrusive site investigations were undertaken through a Pre-Construction Services Agreement (PCSA) to ascertain remedial works required. During the PCSA, we mitigated a number of risks and created a clear design and plan of work that satisfied all key parties.
Scope of Works
The project required the removal and replacement of ACM cladding with non-combustible rainscreen cladding, removal and replacement of EWI, the installation of fire barriers, replacement of balcony decking, and window pods. To ensure we had sufficient management capacity on site to manage and successfully deliver a project of this scale, we allocated one Contracts Manager, one Project Manager and three site managers. This ensured we had sufficient management capacity on site to manage a project of this scale to the high standards we expect.
Challenges
Enabling Works
Enabling works included the removal of street furniture, planters and advertising hoarding as well as the repositioning of road signs. This all had to be stored and reinstated upon completion.
Waste Segregation
Due to the number of blocks and the combustibility of the waste, waste disposal had to be carefully managed with three allocated waste areas. Each of these contained lockable, enclosed skips and was monitored by CCTV. Waste was segregated, and included ACM panels, phenolic insulation, EPS insulation, and related materials.
Public Protection
A gantry was built along the Stratford High Street elevation and overhead protection was provided for the public and to ensure safe access and egress from Apollo Court and Athena Court and the Anytime Fitness gym. Additional protection fans were established during the construction of the scaffold while there was movement of scaffold materials.
"The recladding project was always going to be very challenging. Unforeseen technical challenges also had to be dealt with as the project progressed and the COVID pandemic set in partway through the programme. Despite all of this, Lawtech successfully worked alongside the client consultancy team to find the necessary solutions, keep the project moving forwards, provide detailed QCQA, and deliver the project to a very high standard within budget. Overall, an impressive achievement."
Outcome/Impact
We undertook stakeholder mapping following contract award in order to determine all key stakeholders that needed to be considered during the works and plan the most effective measures of communication at all stages of the project.
Aside from the residents and the client, the key stakeholders included the Anytime Fitness gym located on the ground floor, and Carpenters Primary School, whose playground abuts the blocks. We worked closely with the Client Team, Capital PCC, Savills, Anytime Fitness, and Carpenters Primary School to minimise disruption and inconvenience whilst ensuring all parties were satisfied throughout.
Art Competition
One of the social value initiatives for this project was an art competition for resident children. This was split into three age groups: 3-5, 6-10, 11-16. We asked the children to draw their ideal holiday, and winners were selected before the end of the summer holidays. There was one winner per age group, each winning an art set which was hand delivered to their homes. Winning entries were printed in the September newsletter. The winner in the age 11-16 group drew the block, explaining that they wanted to stay home and spend time with family and friends.
Christmas Donations
During the Christmas period in 2022, we donated food vouchers to a charity local to Empire View & Gantry Court that supports young families. £250 of Tesco and Asda vouchers were donated; the company contributed £150, and the rest was donated by staff across the southern region.
